The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-29
Sharp Clash at Grldiron
Dinner Over Browns
vile Discussion.
MEMBERS SURPRISED
AT STORY PRINTED
Mr.. Roosevelt, in Earnest Speech
Defending His Administration,
Comments on scnatc's
Course, and Mr.. Foraker
Replies to the
Point.
By MATTER EDWARD HARRIS.

By WALTER EDWARD HARRIs.)
WASHINGTON, D. e. January 2s.-
Little WAS talked in Washington to-day
savo tie scrimmage between President
Roosevelt and Senator Foraker at tho
dinner OF the Grldiron Club Saturday
night. Surprise that tie debate between
the President OF tn United Stats and
distinguished member Of his own party.
Who Is nearly the leading member of
the United states Senate, should have
been made public was manifested every
where. Of course. for IL has long been
the maxim OF the celebrated dining club.
Ladies always present. reporters never"
Much cfiagrin is expressed by the cor
respondents who belong TO the club that
the speeches OF tho President and Mr.
Foraker should have been so fully and
accurately reported, but tho fact is
scarcely surprising. while no member
OF the club would write report of the
debate. guests discussed the speeches
freely afterwards. and club members
were not 80 careful in talking OF the
speech ms they should have been The
Washington Post this morning printed
abstracts Of the Two speeches. which
made most racy reading. even IL doing
30 did involve something OF a breach of
professional ethics
Clash Violent One.
But the printed report OF the rencontre
between President Roosevelt ana his dis
tinguishcd opponent did not exaggerate
the violence OF the clash. \ member of
the club to-day said that the members
were on 'pins and needles" all tie time.
fearing that something would finally be
said or done which would be disgracefui.
and which could not be kept concealed
from the public.
it Is customary for g.yests of the Grid
Iron Club Mt tNi-per 20 speak Will shsolute
freedom. knowing HAT their remarks will
not be printed. Generally. In fact in
vsriably until Saturday night, 1t is be-
lieved. such speeches have been humorous.
The President departed from the rule,
and when he spoke launched into de-
fensc OF his administration frc defended
his course regarding the Japanese and
tile school authorities of California, but
he devoted the greater part OF his speech
to the Brownsville discussion in the
Senate. He said such discussions could
serve no good end. and were purely
academic. He said that the corporations
should be controlled by legislation, and
declared that they should submit to con-
troll while conservatives were in power.
lie declared. also. that most OF the criti-
cism OF his administration resulted from
a desire 10 make political capital.
A striking portion of the Presidents
speech was his usa Of the line from n
formerly popular air. .Al Coons Look
Alike To Me- in discussing the Browns
Vile incident.
The President was strenuous in voice
and gesture In delivering his speech. and
from start to finish did not indulge in
any humorous illusions.
Foraker Speaks Plainly.
Although Senator Foraker was not on
the program. the toastmaster called on
him for speech when Mr.. Roosevelt
sat down, and the Ohio Senator spoke for
the better part of an hour. II the Presi-
dent had been serious tho Senator from
Ohio was equally so. He said the Presi-
dent would find out that the discussion of
tie Brownsville incident was not purely
academic, that 1t had Significance which
would be realized and result which
would be recorded. He declared he in
tended to express his opinion on the floor
of the Senate and would ignore d!cta-
tion from whatever source 1t might come.
mot only all coons, but all persons look
alike to me-" he said, significantly.
1.-The oath of n Senator OF the United
States is as sacred as that taken by the
President of the United States" he de-
clared, "and as high a sense OF duty
may inspire Senator as that which in
spires the occupant OF the White House,
This declaration evoked thunderous
applause. Twice the President of the
United States tried to still the cheering
and hand -clappins, in order to convert the
speech of Senator Foraker into n running
iebate. but he could not do so. In con-
,lusion, Mr.. Foraker. with that character
stic wave of the hand, this time direct
ng 1t towards the President, said:
You know. Mr.. President, love you
so!" |,
Tempest of Applause.
This most delicate sarcasm threw his
hearers into a tempest of applause. at
The conclusion of which Mr.. Roosevelt
arose. and lifting his glass proposed the
health of the Senator from Ohio. 1t was
trunk. and five minutes later the dinner
vas adjourned, the debate between the
President and the Senator having con-
'umed so much time that four or five |
'peakers on the program were not called |
ipon,
The universal opinion of those who will |
1iscuss the incident is that the Presldt t |
Has worsted In tho encounter. Probably |
had he known that he was to be replied |
% he would have made a stronger effort.
The last of the incident has not been |
heard. But 1t Is safe to say that the last |
1as been heard of these press dinners.
1t which public men may speak their
minds"