Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-14
Of Washington Entertains
Distinguished Guests.
Usual Witty Hits Very In
partially Passed Around.
Recent National Campaign Source
Of Many Bright Jests.

Washington, Dec. 13-The annual
fall dinner of the Gridiron Club held
at the New Willard Saturday night
was made notable by the presence OF
distinguished company of guests. An
extended program devoted entirely to
tun-makins made the night long to he
remembered in the annals of the or
ganization The company brought to-
Sether at this annual dinner of the
club was one that is only possible at
the capital of the nation. The Presi-
dent, the Vice President, the President
elect, the Vice President elect, sena-
tors and representatives, governors, al
English lord, diplomats, newspaper
men, captains Of industry and financ.
and men of affairs generally, Were
guests of the club and seated about
the gridiron-s shaped table.
The recent national campaign fur
nisied an exceptional opportunity fol
rollickin2, tuncful songs and jestS
which, however, carried no stings tc
offend the distinguished guests al
when they were aimed.
The souvenir of the dinner, a minia-
ture Steam roller, was unique. 1t drew
particular attention to Chairman
Frank Hitchcock of the Republican
National committee, who was one OF
the Eost notable guests. The steam
roller was Il little bronze affair, with
the name TAFT on the diverse SIDE
and the gridiron emblem on the re-
-erSe side.
The banquet nall was gorgeously
decorated for the occasion. Seldom
has the work Of the florist been bet
ter exhibited President Roosevelt,
man, T. F.. Hartman, Champ Clark,
the new minority leader iE the House
Of Representatives, Vice President
Fairbanks and Governor John Johnson
of Minnesota were among the speakers
Of the evening, but a rule of the club
prevents any report of their remarks.
One of the most delightful skits Q
the evenings entertainment was a roll
call after the recent national political
battle. The mournful tap of drum
was heard in the ante-room and ther.
came marching in a tattered and de-
lapidated troop. Their uniforms show
ed they had been on the firing line
President Henry solemnly announc-
ed that the battle was over and that
the slaughter had been terrific. Tn,
members of the troop answered to the
roll call. Sergeant jim Watson was re-
ported as KILLED while riding to the
front on the water wagon Private
Charli" Lands fell at Watsons side
Private Charles Dawes passed in his
checks and Private Frank Lowder
was "shot IL the pocket"
Corporal Norman f. Mack was re
ported as "burying the dead" Cor
poral William j. Bryan was "amone
the missing" Corporal Loeb was "in
the hands of his friends;" Private Tai
was reported as present, and Colon
Sergeant Hitchcock was announced as
there with the colors."
Besides the guests already men
toned there We're Speaker Cannon
Secretary Of the Navy Newberry, Post
master General Meyer, Secretary Of the
Interior Garfield, Senators Aldrich AM
GaIlinger. Governors MagOon of Cuba
and F'rear of Hawaii, Secretary Loeb
Norman Il. Mack. Victor MorawctZ
George w. Perkins, Brig. Cen Clar-
ence X. Edwards. Prof. Willis l.
Moore, chief of the weather bureau
Sydney ID. Dean, Boston Herald; w
r. Haskell, Boston Herald; George II
Ham, Montreal; Timothy 7. Byrne
New York, New Haven & Hartford
r. r.; Interstate Commissioner Lane;
Baron Won Richthofen, German en-
Dassy; Dr. Leo. Nogel, minister from
Switzerland; DR. Harvey w. Wiley
department of agriculture, and Charlie.
g. Dawes, Chicago.