Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
Municipal Reformers Amazed Ovei
Election Returns.
PROGRESS IN MOTOR TRAFFIC
King Alfonso's Portrait - Feature OF
Artists Exhibit-Prince Of
Wales Son.


few week-ends and a brief visit to Ire
and. their majesties will be residing
at Buckingham Palace from the end
Of April to Goodwood week. The king
being aware that no London season Is
success without the visit of foreign SOW
ereign or other royal notabilities, has in
vited a number Of such distinguished WIS.,
itors to be his guests at Buckingham Pal
ace.
Among others who are coming are the
King and Queen of Denmark, the King of
Saxony and the Crown Prince and Crown
Princess of Roumania. The last mentioned
is the handsomest princess in Europe, and.
being very original, when in London, al
ways sets a fashion. On a previous occa-
sion she inculcated the great craze for tur-
quoises. which has continued ever since.
NJ. Fallieres, the French president, is an
other of the distinguished visitors who Is
expected. His presence will make great
stir in French circles. and preparations are
already being made at the French embassy
to pay him fitting honor.
For some seasons past the king has made
1t very definite to his friends that, he
wishes them to reside in London and open
their respective mansions during the sea-
son. 1T Is your duty to do So" he very
emphatically remarked year or ago
to well-known Scottish duke who is
known to have a most inordinate dislike
10 LONDON ana us SdyetleS. Ihe peer IN
question realized he had to do what was
suggested by his sovereign, and last sea-
son, for the first time in seven years.
very brilliant ball took place at his London
house.
The king has taken with him to Biarritz
a roomy motor car. designed to trayersethe
billy roads about the Pyrenean. frontier
His majesty will have his own driver with
him. but on occasion he will use a car
placed at his disposal by King Alfonso
and he will then make use of ne serv-
ices of the Spanish driver The King of
Spain is to meet King Edward a few
days after his arrival in the south, and
will receive informal visit from him
at San Sebastian which will be made his
own Headquarters King Edward will travel
throughout as Duke of Lancaster, and a
special emissary from the Paris surete will
accompany the royal train and act as a de-
Tense against the curiosity of continental
journalists. courier service will be MAIN
tanned twice a week between Whitehall and
Biarritz. under the organizing direction
of the British embassy in Paris. and daily
supplies of newspapers and other interest
ing matter will be delivered through the
ordinary postal service ~
One result of the kings visit to Biarritz,
which has now become quite an annual af-
fair. is that the local hotels are simply be-
sieged with English visitors. There is IAN
enormous number of the idle and wealthy
set who follow the king about on every
holiday he takes. in the hope that at some
point or another they may be privileged to
receive a friendly nod
1t is notorious that not long ago NJ. P.
and his wife insisted throwing them
selves so much in the kings way during a
continental holiday that intima ton was
conveyed to them that unless they desisted
the attention of the police would be called to
the matter. Since the incident referred to
their names have been struck off the court
list
Reid Off on Health Jaunt
Mr.. Whitelaw Reid has been compelled
for the sake of his health to leave London
for holiday In the south of France. While
on his recent visit to the United States he
suffered from severe attack of influenza.
The return voyage was attended by terrific
weather. and the ambassador had relapse
after getting back to London. He has only
been able to attend at the embassy for an
hour or so on two occasions since his re-
turn. Good hopes are entertained for his
recovery under the less inclement skies of
the south.
Mr.. Reid expects to be back in London
before the colonial conference meets in the
middle of April. With the premier of New
foundland a member of the conference, the
trouble between the United States and that
colony will be among the lesser practical
affairs then to he considered in London, and
the presence Of Mr.. Reid may be desirable.
In any case, he purposes to be at his post
again in time to participate in the welcome
to be given to the Pilgrims to the colo
NAL premiers.
Amazed Over Election Result
The result of the London county council
election has amazed London The most
optimistic municipal reformer'' did not
expect that the party would be returned
with majority of over forty, while the
progressves. less confident of the result,
never allowed themselves the proba bility Of
such an Overwhelming defeat.
AS usual the London voter was apathetic
On register Of over 10000 more than
100000 Tefrained from voting-a dismal
commentary on the lack of pride which the
citizens Of the worlds largest city take in
its government. There is of course no
lack of opinions as to the cause of the
progressive disaster. and the most general,
as well as the most comforting Is that a
party which had held the reins of manage
ment for eighteen years could not expect to
continue longer in power. The swing of the
apart from this the failure of the council s
steamboat service on the Thames was I be-
Heve, the most effective card of the mod
crate party-not withstanding that its own
leaders greeted the introduction of the sery-
Ice with delighted approval.
No matter to which side they belong peo-
pie are too astounded to be able to find
words exactly expressive of their opinion,
and 30 they find mental refuge in seeking
the opinion of others. Undoubtedly as in
the general election. one of the primary
causes OF the municipal earthquake which
has engulfed the London progressives has
been a demand for economy 1 do not be-
lieve that the London electors really disap-
prove of the various enterprises undertaken
by the county council-and the victorious
mOderates will make a great mistake II
they think that II Is so--but they most en-
phaticaliy say that the price paid has been
outrageously extravagant, and have voted
according to this opinion.
Mr.. George Alexander is the ..rst actor
to sit on the London county council though
managers have been represented in early
years by the late Sir Augustus Harris, and
In the last council by Mr.. William Bailey,
the proprietor of the West London Theater
"a theater formerly known as the Maryle-
bone. at which Mrs. Kendall and other IA
nous players made their London debuts
Mr.. Alexander, however. Is really the
nominee of the Theater Managers Associa-
ton. which seems to have thought that the
musicians and stagehands were getting
through the labor members and otherwise
an influence to which there should be some
counterpoise on the council Mr.. c. lesson,
who has been returned for Walworth, rep
resents the Federated Musicians. l believe
The plans of the stagehands to be repre-
scented directly have miscarried.
Mr.. Alexander will not be able to take his
practical knowledge of stage affairs into
committee, where most Of the hard work
at Spring Gardens Is done. 1t Is a rule of
the council that members cannot Join COM