The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-02-10
Tomato-Can Festival Proves the
Hit of the Seas0n-.Distin-
guished Compliment
for Il. j. Carney.

n @NN AANAaANs0 NHAVA&NN hhN AeA
to witness the opening sketch, lister
to the speeches and hear the songs and
recitations that had been arranged for
The convention was given under the
direct supervision OF committee made
up of Joseph Gribler. ]. c. Swope and
DR.. Frank Vaughan. and the success OF
the affair was a truly tiattering tribute
to the ability OF the committeeman.
Several Portland Elks. headed by
Henry Griffin, as well as Elks from Ia
coma Aberdeen and other northwest
cities. and two stragglers from Mime
apolis lodge were present to take part
in the deliberations OF the gathering.
Every delegate to the convention wore
the hobo badge. the tomato can. and
the costumes were so well gotten up
that delegates were unable to recognize
each other. The stage on which. the
opening sketch was produced stood at
the north end Of the large hall and rep
resented a farm scene. A railroad track
led to the stage from the main entrance
and along this track all those who en-
tered were required to walk. On the
west side of the hall stood water
tank. beneath which King Nix held
sway. The king was none other than
Henry Griffin, of Portland. who had
been imported especially for the occa-
sion. Upon the arrival Of all the dele
gates. the king was presented by J. E.
Gratke. He responded TO the ovation
tehiered him. saying among other
things that the railroads should be re-
quired to widen their tracks and place |
ties farther apart, as the present reg |
ulatlons made It impossible for two
lloboes to walk abreast.
The opening sketch was called Down
on the Farm" There was hay field.
with It's hay cocks stacked about, and
In the field scarecrow so realistic as
to excite the suspicion that Swope had
cen nailed up on the cross. which, In
deed, later proved to be the case. The
farmer, on coming ito the field to take
lway some of his hay, observed that
he hay piles had grown during the
light, but ventured the opinion he was
na1 enough to juggle the, hay. With /
his comment, he drove his pitchfork !
nto a stack, and to his amazement c
oun1 that he had harpooned hobo. i
rhe stacks were full Of them. s
what do you want to stick me for?" a
Indignantly demanded the wounded II
Iobo. e
why, for the good old rye, OF II
ourse," merrily calculated the farmer t
a reply. n
"Well, I thought felt II comm U
nro," responded the hobo. U
The sketch was full of humorous sit y
ations all the way through, and con- q
luded with a song. "Just a Hobo" by =
rank Woodfeld. The gentlemen COM :
rising the chorus were Messrs. Fox,
aughan. Abercrombie, Schimpff and
ilkington. The sketch was written by :,
Iessrs. Swope and Gribier. who fur It
Ished words as well as original music, N
I'D was a pronounced success. ui
Then followed literary and musical !,
-ogram of rare merit. Among the W
taking part were DR.. sa
aughan, w. e. schimpH, C. H. Aber- - -
ombie, Joseph Gribler J. L. slater, ru
c. Swope, F. C. Fox, Lou Bellmer ca
I'd Peter Kruse. IN
The hall was tastefulIy and appro-
lately decorated last night, red, white
ID green railroad lanterns having been
led to replace the conventional gas Fl
hits The walls were placarded with ed
ward notices and the whole function OF
ok on a tomato-can aspect that filed rui
e delegates with the enthusiasm of er
E gathering. Lunch was served dur WI
: the evening. tai
Not the least impressive feature Of G.
; evening was the presentation to .=
ank J. Carney the famous Irish sec
ary, Of a solid silver life membership NJ
d. Mr.. Carney recently resigned the
'retaryship after having served nine Wl
lsecutiye years. He had worked y
thfullyato advance the interests of b
order and the presentation last "a