Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-01
THE GRIDIRON CLUB.

The GrldlrOn CiuD entertal neu nOtaDle
guests at their annual dinner in Wash
ington on Saturday night, at the Ar
linpton Hotel. There we're 225 pres
sent. and in the large assembly were the
President, m mbers of the Cabinet, Dip
lomsts, Senators and Representatives,
army and navy officers, and dpersons Ir'm-
inent in the business and literary
world. Men whose names have figured
in connection with the presidency, In
cluding the present Chief Executive,
Hanna, TAFT Gormau, Cockrell and
Fran,is. we're present and enjoyed the
clever satire and Grdirou quiPs at the
EXPENSE of themselves, as well as the
unique features burlesquing national aud
international events.
From the time President Louis A.
Coolidge welcomed the guests rntil the
"song of home" at midnight, there was
an uninterrupted flow of wit and merri-
ment. There were clever skits, topical
songs, good speeches and everything pos
sible to make the dinner a complete sue
cess. The menu was a treaty for the es-
tablishment of the "Gridiron Alimentary
Canal" in which a number of guests
figured as the high contracting parties.
Two members were initiated, Scott c..
Bone, of the Washington Post, and y.
O. Messenger, of the Washington Eve
ming Star. They were compelled to APP
pear as news boys, selling extra editions
Of their respective papers, which, upon
examination by the committee, were
found to contain startling statements
concerning many ofthe prominent guests
present,
One of the most interesting features OF
the evening was the appearance OF Pro-
fessor Stringer with ''dunmies" who
were. named for Senators, Cabinet officers
and Others. The answers which these
dummies" made to varions questions
provoked pcals of laughter. Forinstancs
the "ventriloquist" asked
"Arthur Pue German, is it true that
BRYAN has come out for you for Presi-
dentV
German "Dummy"-"No. Bryan Is
friend of mine"
Ventriloqust-"David Bennett Hill,
have YOU heard that Grover Cleveland
NAV be nominated for President"
Hill "Dummy"-"Wbich party?"
At one stage of the dinner number
of members opened up 'jai alai, " the
GridirOn gambling hell, and the wheel
of fortune, which was operated in con
nection with the scheme produced some
amazing results, both in relation to pres
idential candidates and other prominent
men.
Different guests were asked questions
during the dinner, ofwhich the following
are samples:
General Corbin-What would have
been your present rank in the army II
YOU had started as a doctor ~
Judge Talt-You are to be sworn IN
as Secretary of War on Monday. Have
YOU taken the oath of allegiance
Secretary Wilson--What would be
the result of crossing the boil weevil with
the Scotch highball"'
Medals were conferred on those who
had been members ten years, and III
giving these and badges to those who had
been President of the club, pointed and
personal hits were indulged in, show
ing that there was no discrimination be-
tween guests and "Grdironers" in the
matter of roasts.
Among those who made speeches were
President Roosevelt, Secretaries Root,
Shaw and Wilson, Judge Taft, tie Ger
man Embassador, Speaker Cannon, for
mer Senator Carter, and Senators Hanna,
German and Cockrell.