Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-18
TAFT AGAIN STYLES
ON GR|D|R0N BR0|LER
Noted Club Of merrymakers Gives
Special Dinner Complimentary to
New Administration.
FUN ANO W|r HOLD HIGH CARNIVAL
Cabinet Members, Diplomats And
Other NotabIes Also Targets for
eating Through Georgia" b.
Clubs so-CaiIed Minstrel Show.

WASHINGTON. ID. G.. April IT,
The brOiler OF the GridrOn Cub. the
famous organization Of newspaper
men. was kept busy tonight serving
up wit and humor at a special dinner
complimentary to the new auministra-
ton given in the banquet hall of the
New Willard. Care was taken that
men prominently in the ;rlblic eye got
all that was coming to them in the
way of thrusts and jibes that kept the
great aSSemblase in constant state
of uprOar
And tonight. too, there were some
skts by an aggregation of scintilliat-
ing stars that would have put to
blush many who count themselves in
the class of professionals.
President Was There.
OF course President TAFT was there.
as were Speaker Cannon. members Of
the cabinet and the diplomatic corps.
senators and representatives, men
high in the industrial and financial
world, and Ilenty of others of dis
tinction. In the absence of President
Henry Hall, who is just recovering
from a long Illness. Vice-President
Scott c. Bone, of the Washington
Herald, presided over the evenings
doings.
Musical Welcome in Darkness.
The onslaught on the banquet room
began when the clubs old fashioned
dinner bell announced that everything
was ready. AS soon as the diners
were seated the room was thrown
into darkness while musical well
come was extended to the distinguish
ed guests. Then the mammoth
electric gridiron flashed into view.
the lights were turned on throughout
the room and the fun commenced.
Among the first things to greet the
guests was a handful distributed by
some speedy messenger boys an
nouncing that there would be
great minstrel show by all-star
performers, including "vOcalists.
comedians and cabinet officers
Band Out of Tune.
This undoubtedly was the hit of the
evening. In true minstrel fashion,
with all the Accompaniment of dus-
tiers and a more or less diScordant
band. this troop of club talent paraded
through the hall IefOre going to the
stage" The program of the show
was a clever imitation Of the real
thing. even to the naming Of the ex-
ecutiye staff. together with speclai
mote by the management, which
called attention to wnat was to come.
with the injunction that there should
be no flowers
Eating Through Georgia.
Eating Through Georgia" was the
OIener, and it ran like this:
Sound the good old dinner horn, we'll
sing another song
About the trip that Taft once made
when, with digestion strong.
He ate his share of everything that
they would bring along.
As We went eating through Georgia.
We tackled the opossum that they
took such care to bake;
We ate canned watermelon and dish
they called hoe-cake:
We didn't even draw the line at ALI
gator steak.
As We went eating through Georgia
by Southern hospitality our hearts
were surely won.
And We resolved to do the very best
that could be zone.
For Democrats and so We saved some
pie for Dickinson
As We went eating through Georgia
Chorus:
"IIurrah. hurrah. We sound the ju-
bilce:
Hurrsh, hurrak. twas fine 70 SCI.
We put away three meals a day
And sometimes three times three.
As We went eating through Georgia.
Then there ensued some lively con-
versation between the middle men.
who posed as the Vice President and
Speaker Of the House" and the cab
met of'icers." who composed the bal
ance OF the troupe.
what 10 Dead Literature.
After a good deaf Of sparring over
what was the meaning OF dead lit
erature." and whether II referred 10
Sanscrit or Aztec. the end man de-
ciared is TO be the Presidents mes
sage.
SAY. Mr.. Vice President" a mem
Der Of the cabinet inquired. do You
remember the morning when al; those