Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-19
WARMS|TSN NEW HOUSE
National Press Club of Wash
ington Receives Guests.
REAL SIZZLING TORRlDITY
Fervor of Oratory, With Sayings
Wise and Witty.
DISTINGUISHED MEN ATTEND
Ambassadors Make Addresses and
Actors Otherwise Entertain.
Features of the Program.
DISTINGUISHED MEN ATTEND


Of Washington was warmed last even
ing in the most approved fashion. That
is to say, the splendidly equipped home of
the organization of newspaper men. 100
F. street. was formally opened with much
eclat, and the warmers included men
high in the councils of this and other ma
tons. alphabetically speaking, the tenn
perature at the "housewarming went
away up in the nineties and reached a
sizzling torridity in the fervor OF the ora
tory that was dispensed and the happy
ebullition of songs and sayings, wise and
witty and otherwise.
In the throng that filed the apartments
from the hour Of opening until the morn
ing stars were singing In the east were
cabinet officers and diplomats, senators
and representatives. army officers and
actors, commissioners, business men.
lawyers, physicians and artists. and those
Of many other callings. There were also
present editors, correspondents ana re-
porters galore. The opening was sue
cess from every standpoint, and the MEM
bers of the National Press Club of WASH
ington were heartily congratulated on
their twentieth century forthwlthness IN
giving the Capital city such worthy ad-
dition to its fraternittes.
Scene Brilliant, Though Crowded.
In the mellowed glow of innumerable
electric light bulbs and red lights the
scene was brilliant though crowded one
The decorations in electric designs and
flowers were both pretty and unique, and
the inner man was cared for by a corps
of walters. Members of the board OF
managers were in evidence on all sides
and gave particular attention to the COM
fort of the guests OF the club.
Not the least among these was Col.
William F. Cody-Buffalo Bill-fresh from
the tented arena out northeastward,
where he had the hour before led his
rough riders of the world in feats or
horsemanship and depictions Of border
the newspaper men and. as one of the
writer's declared. The said things"
Among the actors present were Guy
Standing and James q. Hackett. who
proved to be good and capable warm
ers.''
In a short address Ambassador Bryce
of Great Britain spoke of the power Of
the press emphasizing especially the In
fiuence welded by the newspaper men OF
Washington. 1t was remarked that the
good things the English representative
said about the men of the press added to
the warmth of the occasion and caused
many of the ears of those present to
Jingle and burn. Then the ambassador
added:
II do not know that I have anything
more to say. but l have noticed that
good many people in public life who
have nothing to say say it at considera-
BILE length"
Takahira Says Warm Things.
Japans representative. Ambassador
Takahira, who was the next speaker,
also said some warm things. He de-
clared that in his experience as a diplo-
mat he sometimes finds it difficult to re-
member all that he has been told to say
and not to say by the power whence
comes his authority. He admonished the
newspaper men to be careful in quoting
people.
Representative Swagar Sherley Of Ken
lucky, who is an associate member of the
Press Club. and who presided as chief
warmer, next presented James r. Gar
field, Secretary of the Interior, declaring
that he is in accord with the right kind
of publicity.
MY principal work as head Of the
publicity bureau OF the Department Of
Commerce and Labor" Mr. Garfield said
was to keep news from being made pub
lie. l found that the newspaper men are
always willing to help us in keeping quiet
news which is not yet ready to be given
out
Secretary Stratus of the Department Of
Commerce and Labor declared that his
department wants all the Tree dQNeTtlS-
ing 1t can get, and that he is always glad
to have the cooperation Of the press in
this work. He said Ambassador Bryce
had shown in his famous book. The
American Commonwealth" his knowl-
edge of the newspaper as a molder of
public opinion In a democracy.
Views Of Other Speakers.
The high regard in which the writer's
for the press are held was the theme of
addresses by Postmaster General Meyer
and District Commissioner Henry B. F..
Mcfarland. and they both bespoke the
success Of the club.
Buffalo Bill was received with min
gled cheers and handclapping. He re-
lated an amusing incident of visit which
he paid to the White House when it was
occupied by Grover Cleveland 1t was in
company with Sitting Bull and some of
his tribe. The Indian chief took the big
chair in the center OF the circle winch the
President had placed there for himself.
When the President told Sitting Bull that
the government was run by departments
with big chief at the head of each de-
partment the old Indian said: Then what
do you do?"
Features Of the Program.
The Apollo Quartet. a local organization
composed of C. e. Meyers. w. d. Nc
H. II.
land. was present. 1t sang the Song OF
the Tack" which brought forth warm
applause. This was followed by cornet
solo by Arthur Whitcomb, soloist OF the
United States Marine Band. He gave an
aria from Samson and Delilah' and as
an encore MY Heart at Thy Sweet Voice.
George O'Connor of this city rendered
number of coon songs. when were warm
ly received. among them being Just an
Old Friend Of the Family Ephra1m
Johnson Don't Live Here NO More ana
Preacher and the Bear"
Charlemagne Koehler gave monologue
and was forced to respond to an encore.
Work by Other Entertainers.
The Great Eastern Quartet. from
Chase's Theater. gave selections. and
would probably have been kept on the
platform all night if there were not
others to follow.
Richard Golden, the comedian. con-
vulsed the audience with laughter with
his characteristic monologue. and Forrest
Huff of the Aborn Opera Company, after
singing one song was pushed back on the
platform and could not get his nat from
the checkroom under special orders OF the
committee until he sang two more
An orchestra from the Marine band
stationed behind a bank of palms and
other tropical growths gave selections
during the evening. The speech OF well
come was made by William p. Spurgeon
president of the club.
Names Of Invited Guests.
The long list of guests included James
Bryce. ambassador from Great Britain;
Baron Kogora Takahira. ambassador