The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-14
ThiefS Rifled R Room S
While BanqueterS
Made Merry
OvercoatS and Suit Cases
Vanish, Sylvester
To Rescue.
Pandemonium at Table
When Gay New York
erS Do Stunts.

i hlrteen IS nOOIJC Tor the ALL
Club of New York. During the prog
ress of its annual dinner at the Ma
tional Hotel last night sneak thieves
entered the rooms Of members Of
the club and stole number of over
coats.
Mai. Richard Sylvester. one of the
honor guests, seated at table No.
13, was appealed to by member Of
the club during the progress of the
dinner, who told him that thieves
were rausacking the rooms, carry
ing off overcoats, suit cases, and
other things.
Major Sylvester at once left the
room to detail detectives and police
on the case.
Long before the dinner had closed
four coats and two suit cases were
reported missing, and the returns
aren't all in yet
Crush in Dining Room.
The guests at dinner Of the club
crowded every available space in the
largest dining room of the National Ho-
tel last night. Many were turned away
and those who managed 10 crowd them
selves into the room were so packed to-
gether that they wished they had not
entered the room. Those who managed
to secure seats, however.- enjoyed the
fun that characterized every minute of
unusual affairs ever given in Washing
ton. There were so many ridiculous
features not provided for on the pro-
gram that after one fit Of laughter the
guests were thrown into another.
The club brought with it 3l3 members
from New York. To this number more
than 200 were added as Washington
guests or former New Workers. either
living in Washington or visiting here.
The dinner was 10 have started at
S.13. but it was an hour later before
IL began. The honor guests seated at
table No Is with Col. John f. Hobbs
exalted ruler of the club, were Commits
siouer Il 3. f mcfarland. DIT. Harvey
II. Wiley. Lieut. J. w. Crawford, pri-
vate secretary and representing Ad-
niral Dewey; Mai Richard Sylvester.
superintendent OF Metropolitan police:
Col. J. William De Grange, a member
of the stan of the governor OF West
Virginia. and the representatives Of the
washington press.
Startling Start-Qf.
Colonel Hobbs, after the pack and
lam to secure seats had ended, called
the members to order with a silver
baton shaped like a human arm bone
The lights suddenly went out. and a
ghost appeared, speaking in a sepul-
chral voice. This was followed by a
desperate encounter between two OF the
members of the club. Il was giant
against giant, and, as the battle waxed
warmer and warmer. the friends Of
each gladiator coaching their man, the
excitement of those who did not know
that this was only a small part of the
fun. ran almost into a panic, as it
seemed as IL the whole membership OF
the club would become involved in the
ARRAY. This excitement was intensified
when some one cried. Look out. he has
a knife"
Then this scene ended amid roar of
laughter Later the devil appeared and
was expelled by force from Washington
when the weird glow of burning alco-
hoI in plates cast a ghostly glimmer over
the room.
As the thirteen courses were being
served bedlam reigned. Each one OF
the many tables seemed to have some
one that had a grievance TO air, and
addresses to the chair created endless
fun. Colonel Hobbs was powerIess to
manage the enthusiasm Of the hungry
throng who had not eaten anything
since leaving New York at midday
When he attempted to introduce the
speakers, it was only by threatening to
call in the aid of the police that he Sc
cured order.
Set Speeches Few.
Commissioner Macfarland had to leave
before the speaking began by reason.
as he stated. of a previous engagement.
He first introduced DR.. Harvey w
Wiley. who delivered a short talk on the
superstitions of eating certain foods. he
was followed by Lieut.. ]. w. Crawford
who gave a humorous talk. Alderman
r. S. Doull. of New York, spoke for the
club.
Following the speaking the dramatic
end of the program was taken up. che
dinner closed long after the midnight
hour.
The club arrived here yesterday even
49, 90 g.oe th{~fean re,fr,,4o f-+ G