The Washington herald., 1906-12-10
The Gridiron Club Dinner.

The standpoints from which the dinner
Of the Gridiron Club last Saturday night
can be viewed are numerous and inter
esting.
Broadly speaking, the occasion was one
that could not have been duplicated in
any other country in the world, and
would be impossible, even in the United
States, in any other city than Washing
ton Conditions abroad are so different
that an organization like the GridirOn
Club could not even exist, much less
could it secure the presence and CO
operation OF any ruler. Imagine a chorus
Of English newspaper men singing a
humorous ditty to King Edward, or Ger
man journalists making sly digs at the
prominent characteristics Of Emperor
William. As a matter of fact, If these
pCtentates could come TO this country
and attend a Gridiron Club dinner. we
have no doubt that they, like everybody
else, would have a glorious good time.
They are human, like the rest of men,
but the trouble is that they are hedged
about by a formality and ceremonial that
is happily lacking in this country. II is
a pity that they cannot come over and
enjoy the happy experience Of being Grid
iron guests. They would learn that hu-
NOR is not synonymous with disresPect'
and that the shafts Of fun which are
leveIed at our high officials are not
poisoned with malice. They would wit
ness an exhibition Of genuine camaraderie.
Of the real American spirit which is in
dependent and yet loyal, fun-loving yet
sensible and kind
It goes without saying that such din
ners are only possible in Washington.
In New York or Chicago, a dinner is a
great event which boasts the presence Of
a single Cabinet officer Last Saturday
night the President and Vice President.
the Speaker Of the House. four ambassa-
dors from foreign countries, four CT five
Cabinet officers, and other distinguished
persons were on the list OF guests-so
many, in fact. that If they had been in
vited to speak the dinner would still be
in progress. Many of these men had pre-
viously attended and the fact that they
were again present as guests indicated
! their satisfaction. The National Capital
alone offers the personnel which so ma
tcrially aids in the success Of a Gridiron
dinner
What are the causes Of the clubs sue
cess? In the first place, its dinners are
clean. Ladies are always present" is
one Of its maxims. Then. again, no mat
ter what is said or done, there IS no per-
sonaI feeling and. above all. 10 malice
Another reason is that the club main
tains an up-to-date programme. present
D -r,- rsfnf of ont
events as viewed through Gridiron spec
tacles Still another reason IS that the
members fortunately discovered, long
! ago. that noise is not hUmor and bru-
| tality is not wit In their various stunts
they appeal to the intellect. and they
have the satisfaction OF knowing that
they do not appeal in vain Not the
/ least factor in accomplishing success is
| the absolute good faith which is kept
with the guests in the matter Of not re-
porting the speeches. There is, there
! fore. a delightful abandon about the
after-dinner talks and frequently a free
dom of utterance which adds a piquancy
not otherwise obtainable. And, last Of
ALL there is an esprit de corps which
stimulates the members TO work together
/ in the achievement of any result that
can add to the luster of their organiza-
/ ton.
These comments apply not only to the
dinner just given but to all the enter
tainments OF the Gridiron Club. These
/ occasions have become so unique and
memorable that they are entitled 20 con-
/ sideration as distinctive and most val
liable feature of Washington life. Their
original object, the establishing Of better
/ relations between the representatives Of
/ the press and public men, has long ago
/ been secured The club does not now
/ have to be maintained for that reason. It
! has evolved itself into a medium whereby
| the latest event or issue can be presented
/ from its humorous and. possibly, vulner-
able side. the presentation frequently car
rying with it a lesson which the wise
I are quick 10 learn.