The sun., 1906-01-12
MAYOR GUEST OF HOTEL MEN,
MCLELLAN DROPS ~ AT THEIR
ANNUAL DINNER.
Tells Them They Know How the City Feels
Better Than Any Other C1ass-Sim
Ford PresIdes In Breslin's Place-Flas
and Elm shliEhf Schcme PlcaSes Diners.


Two things Of note happened at the hote
mems dinner at the Wadorf-Astora las
night. They worked new stunt W it'll tn,
American flag and Sim Ford foated in from
his thirty-seventh retirement.
The flag turn came with the roast, wher
a flashlight was let off in the gallery. There
had been good deal of curiosity about
some white bags which decorated the
gallery boxes, and as the flash powder
blew away the band struck up "The Star
Spangled Banner, and the bags burst into
blossom, letting out big American flags.
Then every one cheered and raised glasses
and waved handkerchiefs.
Sim Ford came in a t the end of the din
ner, which lasted nearly three hours by the
clock. With about 400 educated critics
present. the Waldorf had to spran itself
on that dinner The wine list alone was
as long as the rest of the menu. This
being professional audience, they omitted
such plays to the gallery as professions
of ices and laid themselves out on the fare.
George c. Boldt. president of the asso-
citation and proprietor of the Waldorf
raped for order. James II. Bresln was
to have presided, as he has done for years
at this annual banquet. but he If very sick
at his own hotel. Mr., Roldt referred to this
and the hotel men drank toast to Mr..
Breslin before Simeon Ford was introduced
as POSTMASTER. Amid wild cheer. Mr..
Ford slouched sadly onto the platform.
He smiled foolishly and shifted feet like
a boy about to speak his piece, and Boldt
reached up, grabbed him by the hand and
said
Courage. son!'
Mr.. Ford gulped and managed to say:
OF course YOU are disappointed to see me
In dear old Jim Rreslin's place. | am dis
appointed. too. When the prima donna be-
comes suddenly ndisposed and frightened
soubrette is jerked out Of the chorus to slaugh-
ter the leading role it is tough on the audi
ence. But YOU must remember that it is
tough on the understudy too. Any one who
is dissatisfied on application to Oscar can
get a rain check.
You see. We have had to move. For twenty
odd years we feasted royalty at Dclmon-
icos. but We have waNed so numerous, and
of late with prosperity, 50 fat. that We are
Obliged to seek fresh fields and elbow room.
II We keep on growing next Year we'll have
to show under canvas.
The hotel business has been pretty goo d .
Some of us have been taking things out of
hook: some OF us have opened savings bank
accounts; Boldt. with his Old World prudence.
puts his away in stocking | am told that
the stocking has grown until it reminds one
of frankie Bailey in her ramy days.
Homes are disappearing in New York.
In a few years there will BE- only offices,
shops, theatres. hotels and manicure parlors.
People will have their homes in the country.
and when they feel the need of real food
peace aud n vacation from the servants
they will HE them TO the only place on this
earth where the wicked cease from troubling
and the weary are at rcst"-a New York
hotel.
| own painting which represents an inn
of the olden days A traveller has just ar
rived on horseback, and the landlord. all
smiles, is hastily donning clean apron as
he approaches TO greet his g,Iest. And you
can fancy the traveller saying: 'Ho. caitiff
your sunnest chamber and a hottie Of sack.
Very naughty and arrogant the traveller
Feru meek and cringing the landlord.
It's funny what difference just few
years make.
What do YOU suppose would happen to the
traveller IL he said 10 Boldt "Ho. caitin
your sunniest chamber and a bottle of sack ."
hate TO think.
He might not get the sunniest chamber;
he sure would get the sack.
Mr.. Ford called attention to Mayor
Mcclellan who had appeared few mo-
ments before to the tune of Hail to the
Chief
Il introduce The only Democrat l ever
voted for said Ford. The house rose
Good for little Mac,'
Mayor Mcclellan congratulated the hotel
men on the progress of the year.
Wherever you find good hotels you
find civilization" he said. AS we have
the best hotels in the world. it follows
that we are pretty near the top of civili-
zation. There are no more public spirited
men in the world than the hotel men of
New York, but they're not all they should
be as all organization. There are many
civic bodies in New York, as I've found.
Now, all the time I've been Mayor, I've
never had dealings with the Hotel Mems
A Association. Only the other day the com:
the discovery Of the Hudson came
to see me. Some suggested
worlds fair in 1910. asked,
Have you consulted the hotel men?
They said, Why should we?' Yet there
are no men better fitted to know how the
public feels than the hotel men.
Now, I'm going to be Mayor Of this
city for four years a pause followed by
applause | have burden to bear. a task
to perform, that takes all the breadth of
my shoulders. | want the help of the men
who know what New York wants"
MIR, Ford then rose to introduce George A.
Post of Philadelphia. The name reminded
him of an anecdote about Mayor Mcclellan
ate opponent. The Mayor did not laughs
Maybe he had heard it before
On behalf Of the Imperial and Amalga-
mated Order Of Riders on the Water Wagon,
of which, he said, he was the only repre-
sentative president, Mr.. Post thanked
he hotel men. He thought that the pres
,nce Of lifelong teetotaler in their midst
must be Sim Ford's latest joke. He said
that he never knew but one hotel man
couldn't afford it-and continued:
Hotel men Of New York. I salute you! You
irt a noble band but you como high. For