The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-01
PUBLIC men ROASTED.
Famous GridirOn Club Holds Its
Annual Banquet

7 Washington, D. c, Feb. 1.-The an
nual dinner of the Gridiron club given
Saturday night at the Arlington hotel
was the occasion of unlimited merri-
ment and keen satire by members of
the famous newspaper organization and
its guests.
There were 225 present, and in the
large assembly were the president.
senators and representatives, army and
navy officers, and persons prominent
in the business and literary world
Men whose names have figured in
connection with the presidency, includ-
ing the present chief executive Hanna.
Taft, German, Cockren, and Francis,
were present and enjoyed the clever
satire and Gridiron uu1ps at the ex-
pense of themselves. as we'll as the
many unique features burlesquing ma
tiOnal and international events. From
the time President Louis A. Coolidge
welcomed the guests until the song of
home" at midnight there was an IN
interrupted flow of wit and merrment.
There were clever skits. topical songs.
good speeches, ana everything possible
to make the dinner complete Gridirou
success.
The menu was treaty for the es-
adjustment of the gridiron alirnentary
canal. in which a number of guests
figured as the high contracting par
ties
Two new members were initiated.
Scott c. Bone of the Washington Post
and N o. Messenger of the Washing
ton Evening Star. They were COM
extra editions of their respective
papers, which, upon examination by
the committee. were found to contain
startling information concerning many
of the prominent guests present
One of the most interesting features
of the evening was the appearance of
Professor Stringer Stringem, Ventrilo-
quist." with dummies who were
i
and others. The answers which these
dummies made to various questions
provoked peals of laughter. For in
stance, the .'ventriloquist'' asked:
Arthur Pue German, is it true that
Bryan has come out for you for presi-
dent?"
German ''Dummy''-No. Bryan is a
friend of mine.
Ventri1oquist-David Bennett Hill,
have you heard that Grove Cleveland
may be nominated for president?
Hill Dummy hich party?
At one stage of the dinner a number
of members opened up a "Jai Alai, the
Gridiron Gambling He'll" and the wheel
of fortune, which was operated in con-
nection with the scheme, produced
some amazing results, both in relation
to presidential candidates and other
prominent men.
Different guests were asked ques-
lions during the dinner, of which the
following are samples:
General Corbin-What would have
been your present rank in the army If
you had started as a doctor?"
Judge Taft-YOu are to be sworn in
as secretary OF war on Monday. Have
you yet 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. Charles
c. Randolph, J. H. Kaiser and Frank
V Bennett received the ten-year
medals. The latter, who has been man
ager Of the Arlington during all the
years the club has been giving its din
ner there is soon to become proprietor
of a new hotel in New York.
Among those who made speeches
were President Roosevelt, Secretaries
Root. Shaw and Wilson, Judge Taft, the
German ambassador, Speaker Cannon,
former Senator Carter. and Senators
Hanna German and Cockrell.
Among the guests were: President
Roosevelt, Secretaries Root. Shaw, VIII
son, and Cortelyou: Postmaster Cen
eral ayne, Governor Taft of the Phil
| ippines: Associate Justice Day, United
| States supreme court; Senators Aldrich,
Beveridye Blackburn, Burrows, Cock
relI, Dubois, Gallinger, German, Hanna,
| Kearns, Long, and Scott; Speaker Can
non and Representa- ives Dwight, Gros-
venor. Hepburn, Tate, Howard and
| TaWney; Baron Won Sternberg, the Ger
man ambassador, Major General Henry
/ C. Corbin Rrigadier General Charles r.
Humphrey. Lieutenant Colonel James
/ s. Petit. U. S. Rear Admirals John
! G. Walker and Winfield s. Schley, Cap
| tain William Z. Brownson, Lieutenant