Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18
SPEAKER CANNON
GIVES A DINNER
To the Gridiron Club of This
City.
MANY DISTINGUISHED MEN
Invited to Meet the Members of the
Organization.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. s.
Members Of His Cabinet, Senators,
Representatives and Other Promi-
nent People Among Them.

Speaker Cannon gave dinner at the
New Willard last night in honor of the
Gridiron Club of Washington, to which he
invited distinguished men from many sec
tions of the country. Mr. Cannon has been
one of the Gridiron Clubs favorites among
public men for years, and has graced with
his presenc its dinners and entertainments
many times. Last night the tables were
turned and the Gridiron Club became guest
instead of host
1t was Speaker Cannons dinner through
out, and he presided with all the alertness
and vigor with which he holds down a ses-
sion of the House of Representatives. A
large number of his colleagues were pres
ent, and those of them who thought per-
haps they could haze Uncle joe at his
own table found the gavel was still handy.
There were a few digressons during the
evening at the instigation of merrymakers
of the club, which the host accepted In
good part
The great banquet haA OF the New VIII
lard was decorated in conventional man
ner with smilax and profuson of spring
flowers On the stage, facing the hosts
seat, however. was a feature of ornamental
ton which ELECTED the delighted apprecia-
tion Of the company. This was a model in
white of the Capitol, twelve feet long re-
producing with exactness the noble struc-
ture In miniature. Lights cleaned in the
windows and in the dome; 1t was a night
session of House and Senate
The east portion of the Capitol grounds
plaza, fountain, green lawns and shrub
berry were represented lighted with tiny
electric lights. The Illusion was further
enhanced by evergreens placed at the foot
OF the stage so 1t was easy to imagine that
one was looking from the banquet hall
down vista to the Capitol
5. The tables were set In the form familiar
to those who have attended Gridiron din
ners, one long table running the length or
the hail with shorter tables at right angles.
roughly shaping gridiron. Speaker Can
non sat In the center of the long table
with President Roosevelt on his right. Vice
President Fairbanks and President Fearn
OF the Gridiron Club on his left, with other
well-known men down the line each way.
Welcomes His Guests.
The host welcomed the guests In brief
speech and announced that for the occa-
sion he would borrow a rule from the
Gridiron Club, found salutary upon such
occasions. namely, That at this dinner re-
porters are not present ladies are present"
With this gentle hint as TO the latitude
and restriction of speech-making which
might follow. the Speaker called the house
to order and routine business proceeded.
which was the discussion of the following
menu:
Menu.
Small Buzzard Bays
Clear Chicken Gumbo
Almonds. Olives. Celery Radishes
Crabmeat CoquiIle
Racks OF Lamb en- Casserole Bourgeoise
Terra3n a Ia Maryland.
Squads Stuffed with Chestnuts sur Canape
Sarbet American.
Salad IN Season.
Ices in Fancy Forms.
Cafes.
Roquefort and camembert Cheese
Toasted Crackers.
Coffee.
Cigars ard Cigarettes.
The menu card was handsomely engraved
and bore a half-tone of the Speaker by way
of souvenir, representing him standing at
his place in the House. The likeness was
framed in border of entwined gaye,s and
gridirons.
While the ices were being eaten there was
q commotion In the area In front of the
stage. Speaker Cannon looked up with sur
prise to see number Of intruders In The
room. Mot recognizing his friends. the
Continued on Third Pagel