The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-02

Imperturbable as Mark Twaln's In
nocents' and apparently as fresh as
when they started on their tour early IN
the morning, the body OF honorary COM
mercial commissioners from Japan visited
the Capitol. the Library OF Congress, and
the Commercial Club last evening as
guests OF the business men OF Washing
ton. IN the end they could not tell which
they liked best
After dinner the party left the New
Willard Hotel at about O'Clock They
arrived at the Library Of Congress in
four sections under the supervision Of a
general committee OF five, consisting of
William +. Guide, J. Henry Small. John
j. Sleman. Alfred Sinclair. and Thomas
c. Noyes. Arriving at the Library Of
Congress they were taken in charge by
Appleton p. c. Griffin. assistant librarian:
Gslliard Hunt. and Mr.. Persons.
shown Every Detail.
The tour OF inspection was not that
usually accorded the visitor Not a
feature IN the manner OF handling the
books in the library. or OF sending them
from one place 20 another. was over
Looked.
The sliding bookshelves. the trucks
upon which over 100 volumes Of average
size can be placed. and the tunnel con-
meeting with the Capitol were explained
In detail. Mosaic are collections. rare
volumes. and al that goes 20 make up
the wonderful storehoUse OF art and lit
erature were shown in rapid succession.
Mr.. Griffin reserved a great treat for
them-to his own way or thinking He
took them into the japanese room, where
he showed them many ancient bronze
and ivory carvings, gathered from time
TO time, at great expense by this country.
Applause Not Forthcoming.
He waited for the remarks OF admira-
ton. but the ELUSIVE applause he expect
cd was delayed
i did not know" said one OF them at
last that these articles were so valu-
able until Americans and Europeans
came to get them. We have many such
nt home, but unfortunately pay little at
tetntiOn 10 them. They are very pretty"
Whereupon. Mr.. Griffin fastened to
show them one Of his sliding book trucks.
IN which they exhibited deep interest.
Leaving the Library. they entered the
Capitol, which had been LIGHTED Up for
them. There the party was guided by
Elliott NJ Woods. general superintendent
Of the building. and Col ID. NJ TruesdeU
The first place visited was the House OF
Representatives, where Baron Elichi
Shiousawa. leader OF the party. nomen-
turily usurped the throne OF power by
sitting IN the chair especially designed
FOR Speaker Joseph G. Cannon. The body
wero told that Speaker Cannon was the
ear Of the lower legislative body.
A position added some one. "occu-
pied IN every American household by the
wife"
Joke Creeps Outside.
The Oriental visitors smiled politely. FOR
they are very courteous. but the ioke
Crept outside and died
When the method Of accomplishing lecis-
latlon by the appointment OF committees
was explained TO them. the visions show
ed no little surprise Apparently I'm their
own country II is customary 10 enact
measures with much larger groups than
here. They commented upon the Ameri-
can legislative methods as representing
20 centaiE extent what the tunnel from
the Capitol TO the Library stood for.
The United States Senate. where they
were taken after leaving the House side
Of the building. failed to Impress them rs
much as the Supreme Court. Their IN
terest in the greatest MISUNDERSTANDING
body IN the land seemed more intense
than In the body appointed 10 frame the
laws.
While they were IN the Senate. William
7. GUIDE tried another little Joke.
1T Is very difficult" said he. Ito per
suade the women OF America 10 allow
their husbands 70 accept the Vice Presl-
dents chair"
Another Joke Goes Wrong.
Mr.. GUIDE did not change expression
when one OF his guests said. quite
strange"
From Tho Supreme Court the body went
20 the Commercial Club. where elaborate
arrangements for their entertainment had
been made
On the trip back the Japanese ladies
were taken 70 the New Willard for the
evening. while the men repaired IN the
new clubhouse, facing Lafayette Square
There they were met by the house com
nittee. comprising Arthur c. Moses
chairman; Otto Luebkert. William II
Rapley. George P. Schutt. p. c. Graham
and John L. Weaver
A buffet supper was spread, and the
guests were told TO do whatever fancy
prompted in the way Of making them
selves at home. The supper was purely
an informal affair. The Americans and
japanese broke Into groups OF three and
fours and INDUCED in individual discus
sions. No speeches OF welcome were
made.
II was well after 70 o'clock before the
last guest had started hoteiward and
the remaining club members had sought
tkeir homes. But when that hour arrived
there were none among the visitors who
did not think that Washington business
men know as much about entertaining
ns the next ones