Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-12-09
The GRIDIRON CLUB.

The Gridiron Club opened Its dinner
giving season Saturday night by giving
it's annual fall dinner at the New VIII
lard in Washington. AS is usual with
the club, the evening was crowded With
clever skits and political hits. "Nature
fakirs." ''undesireble citizens, the
test ride of the army and the Japanese
wrestler all had part in the evenings
entertainment, and all we're enjoyed by
the crowd of distinguished men present.
The club at times may have seemed
severe on several prominent men, but
the hits were all in good spirit and up
to-date, and those lampooned took 1t ell
good naturedly. There were over 225
, guests and members at the table, and a
pleasant reception took place in the
reception hall before the old-fashioned
dinner bell announced that the dinner
wss ready. President Blythe, accom-
panied By Vice President Fairbanks,
headed the party and marched Into the
large banquet hall on the top floor OF the
, New Willard.
When President Samuel Blythe lit up
the huge electric gndrOn in the bsn-
uuet hall the absence of the preliminary
cocktail was emphasized. Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks bore the brunt Of this
stunt, for in front of him stepped 8
Gridironer and ssDga ditty about an In
diana dinner where cocktails we're served,
with subsequent regrets. Mr.. Fairbanks
VAS then allowed a rating OF butter
milk.
A Glass in nsture-fsking through
questions and answers developed a l0gi-
csl connection wi b Octopus" and
Wall street. Also that II it Is true that
money talks, "President Roosevelt must
be the richest man in the world"
"John Barrett amt broke" remark
I'd one of the class.
The story that George Washington
threw a dollar across the Potomac was
declared not to be a nature fake, be-
cause Secretary Corttlyou had thrown
500, 900, 900 to Wall street. A song
which put Secretary Cortelyou in the
attitude Of quietly waiting to be called to
the presidency, brought laughter, like
wise response from the secretary.
"Why are the ships going to the Pa
ci6c ?" was answered inimany ways, chief
among which was to seat Secretary Met
calf in the Senate.
A Japanese wrestler, game OF dice,
and an aggregation Of undesirable citi-
zens," we're all jests aimed at the White
House, aud we're productive Of much
merrinegt.
The new State of Oklahoma made its
appearance with democratic Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES and sn electoral
vote for Bryan.
Chairman New, of the republican ma
.ional committee, was required to "think
it over" and then pr0nced in on hobby
horses squad of eque.trian-tested army
officers.
eve will now drink to the next Pres
ident Of the United States" solemnly
snnouuc ID President By he, after he
had gotten to their feet Vice President
Fairbanks, Speaker Cam p, Secretary
| Corteiyou and Senator K2cx. Then
was sung ditty, which coojnred with
the names Of all the presidential pos'I-
bilities.
| A song followed which gave great ad
miration to the versatility of Amtas
ssdor Bryce, but kindly warned hin
that with it all he would be fount
wanting unless he learned the presi
dental game Of tennis
Another song told that johnson, Min
nesota's democratic governor, had me
Bryan face TO face, a5d therefore he nj
longer bad q presidential boom.
The menu souvenir was collection
of clearing house certfcstes, issued By
authority of the Gridiron Club clearing
house association. There was cersih
cate for each course, and each set fOrii
bit of humor.
The initiation as member OF tn
club of James P. Hornaday was ais
made a matter of entertainment.
{ Ike guests of the club included Vice
President Fairbanks, Speaker Cannon
r Secretary Oortelyou, Postmaster-Gen
eral Meyer, Secretary S'rsus, secretar.
Wilson, the Japanese Ambassador, ih
British Ambassador aud several Sen
ators' and Representatives.