The Washington herald., 1908-02-24


Washington.
Probably the most interesting group OF
knockers constitute an organization called
the Knights of Momus. These annually
get together about well-ladened board
and for the moment WELD the hammer
regardless.
The membership Of the knights OF Mo-
mus is made up largely. if not wholly, OF
men connected v4th Uncle Sans gigantic
and wonderful workshop. the Government
Printing Office. which lately has figured
conspicuously in the Iimelight.
An Annual Revei.
Annually. as stated. the knights give a
dinner. They have been doing this for
the last decade. Originally the dinner
was a modest. but amusing function. As
time has rolled on the function has be-
come more elaborate.
Public men Of prominence have been
numbered among these guests of Momus
The roster for I9QS-eXhibited at the eley-
enth annual dinner. held at Rauscher's
last night-contained the names OF a
score of more or less distinguished
knockers.
There were Senators. several ofs them:
Representatives, several more OF them;
and men Of less exalted station. all Of
whom found il well worth while to spend
a few hours with these genial knocking
knights. who have established an enviable
reputation for making things merry for
their guests.
Capital Made of Troubles.
Naturally. in view Of recent vicissi-
tudes at the G. P O.. there was much in
he n .f
ings. Both in the toasts and in the
unique menu bin there were timely allu-
sions to The Audit system and 81 Duane
street, New York-the rendezvous of that
select cOterie of Gotham pbilanthropists
who 80 magnanimously took the running
of the big printery out OF the hands of
Mr.. Stillings
All the blanks used by The Audit system
during its tempestuous and costly regime
contained line which nobody could over
look. 1t read:
Designed by The Audit System, 80
Duane street. New York"
Not to be outdone. the Knights Of Mo-
mus protected their bill Of fare. called a
sustenance jacket. with this line:
Designed for the exclusive use Of the Knights Of
Momus by the Hari-Hit System, . skidoo St.
swampoode. ID. c.. X. o. M. 30
un Futty Furnlshe0.
The company that sat down to this
eleventh annual dinner numbered some
two hundred. All were there for an even
ing's fun, and none went away disap-
pointed. 1t was rich, harmless fun-mak-
ing frota start to finish.
The Knights OF Momus more than
maintained their reputation for knowing
how to do things in this line and do them
well. There were toasts and songs. songs
and toasts, speeches impromptu and some
not so impromptu, knocks and knocks and
knocks-but everything in gOod-natured
wholesome spirit that left no sore spots
On the Card TO Happen.
The programme was not followed lit
orally. of course-programmes at such
functions seldom are-but a glance at the
following will give the reader an lndefi-
rite idea at least OF what the Knockers
dinner was like.
GENERAL WORK SLIP.
DIVISION oi entertainment Date, Feb. 2, lss
Name-See following Lis, is,..............No Eleventh
Write fill description Of work done.
Designed for the exclusive use Of the Knockers hy
the Hard-hit System, . Skidoo ST., Swampoodie
u. G.. X. o. N. 80.
In charge Of the Chief Kuocker.-
4 Tity the man who can trsTd from Dan 10
Beersheba and cry: 'Tis all barren. "
orchestra Selections
By the President
Introduction Of Frank A. Kidd
Response Rg the Uniucky Victim
Song I'm Afraid to Go Home After Dark
Frank D. Smith. IT.
Read the the Sc1bbler
Tenor SOLO. L. Meyers
The Chief Knocker here said:
Quartet. The Monkey Said 10 the Chimranzee"
Again came the Chief Knocker with Some More
KNOCKS from Our Modest Guests
Baritone SOLO. selected Roland b Roderick
some knocks. Samuel Gompers
Song Yachting Glee .......-.........By the quartet
Another knock.
Comic song. selected Dick Smith
The Chief Knocker win here introduce several PROM
inent knockers. who do not wish their names
in PRINT
Bass solo, selected. Dana C. Hollard
everybody who has been snubbsd up to this
time viii be given hearing.
Battle HYMN Of the Republic By Everybody
Led BY John II. Purvis
The "Hard-hft SYSTEM
The fun began with the passing around
of the cigars. William Z. BurchfeId.
president of the club. raped for order
and announced that he had just been in
formed OF the arrival of Buddy" Budd.
OF the "Hard-hit System" The per-
sonage referred 10 was Isadore Budd. of
The Audit System who. during the
regime Of that company at the C. p o..
was in close touch with the employees. in
the capacity of instructor in the making
out of time slips" and other Audit Sys-
tenn matters
Buddy Budd proved TO be boy at
tired in a farmers hat and linen duster.
and carrying a large grip. on which was
painted. Buddy Budd, Hard-hit System,
. Duane street. New York City" His
entrance and march around the han was
received hilariously. and the uproar dou-
bled as he sang I've Said My Last Fare
well (toot, tootD. Good-by." with quartet
accompaniment.
Mr.. Burchfeld then introduced Frank
\. Kidd. who was heralded as a star
performer. liz a skit called Mind
Wandering" and who, in turn, introduced
T. y. Whitehead. the POSTMASTER with
brief address containing many pointed
and jOcular knocks" OF particular in
terest to the Government Printing Office
men assembled.
when Friendship Ceases.
Mr.. Whitehead prefaced his remarks
with the announcement that friendship
would cease from that moment until ad-
journmeHt. The POSTMASTER called unon
- l. DDgAS' ti4S StiiDotST OF The
SCROLL, to read his report of the banquet
of year ago. The scribbler kept his
hearers constantly amused.
Mr. Whitehead then called upon the
chairman OF the committee on rumors 10
make his report. Eleven men arose to
their feet and demanded the floor. Mr..
Whitehead ordered darkness. and when
the lights were flashed out. called upon
each committeeman by number 10 make
his report Each speaker reported ar al
legged rumor. good sample Of which
wss:
II IS reported that The Audit System,