Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-31
TOASTS AND ROASTS
At GR|D|RON FEAST
Distinguished Men Enjoy
Good-Natured RaIIlery.
PRESIDENT is A GUEST
Hears Songs. Speeches and Bur-
lesques on Public Affairs.
NEW PRESIDENT INSTALLED
"Big Stick" Is Passed on to MI.
Hall With Much Friendly Ad-
vice-Three New Members.
PRESIDENT is A GUEST
NEW PRESIDENT INSTALLED

The annual winter dinner o. the Grid
iron Club at the New Willard last night
was attended by company OF distin-
Suished guests, who were entertained for
four hours with an interesting program of
songs. speeches burlesques on public men
and affairs. with caustic comment. though
in kindly spirit. The President of the
United States, the Vice President. the
Speaker of the House. ambassadors. mem
bers of the Cabinet and the United
States Supreme Court. senators and rep
rcsentatives in congressman high in
1he church and prominent in all walks
OF life honored the club with their pres
ence.
They began to assemble by half past
seven and filled the ballroom adjoining the
banquet hall, holding social converse. re-
newing old and making new acquaintances
until the dinner bell rang out the invita-
tion to the feast. Standing by their chairs,
in the charmingly decorated banquet hall,
dimmed for few minutes, they listened
to the song of greeting rendered By the
Gridiron Quartet. Then the new presi-
dent of the club, Henry Hall. addressed
them in cordial welcome. the lights
flashed. iilumining the great electric grid
tee dinner was on.
The dinner had not proceeded far un-
til the newly elected president was
brought to the grill, the first of the sacri-
fees to be done to a turn before the even
ing's close. Mr.. Hall was admonished of
the character. and arduousness of the
duties which confronted him by the re-
firing president. James S. Henry, who
produced and presented to him the big
stick which he had found so useful in ad-
1ninistertng the dinners in the past season.
He pointed to several spikes upon this
formidable instrument of discipline which
had been called into play with good eff
feet. There Was the knot. CORY and clot-
ted, which had been SO efficacious in AN
sswertnG foolish questions by Congress-
another which has subdued those whose
ttye's. and one which had been useful in
rounding up votes" Still another was
said to be good for ''Bumblepuppies.'
The new president was required to
agree to perpetuate the policies of the
old administration. ride ninety -eight
miles day, keep the Ananias club go
ing and see that Congress did not jump
the reservation But Mr.. Hall, remind
Ing the outgoing president that he was
down and out, refused TO make any
promises and swore. with left hand
raised and fingers crossed. that he would
not follow the advice, but would play
his own hand in his own way.
New Members Break In.
Three new members of the club were
initiated during the evening. The first
was Jewell H. Aubere of the St Louis
Globe Democrat He was spotted as an
intruder. present without invitation, and
sternly called upon To explain his un-
warranted intrusion. He stoutly pro-
tested that he was not "butting in but
was there by invitation. Pressed for
the name of his host he declared he was
invited by the president OF the Ananias
Club. He thought this was the Ananias
Club, as he could see around him of
fcers of that famous organization mem
bers in good standing and likely num-
Der OF candidates for admission on the
waiting lisi.
Explanation brought out the fact that
having been summoned a witness be-
fore the grand jury by the President of
the United States i'll the Panama libel
case. he had mixed his dates with his
drinks. The explanation was accepted
and he was admitted to membership in
the Gridiron Club.
\ card handed in by Il page announced
that L. w. Strayer OF the Pittsburg Dis
Patch. having been elected a member of
The club. was present ana wanted to
come in. so that he could hear President
Roosevelt descant upon how dearly he
loved Congress. Questioned by various
members, in the light of recent develop
mcnts IN Pittsburs. hc Indignantly
denied that he member of the
Eittsburg common council. and in proof
thereof said he was poor man lie
was too canny 10 deposit his meager
savings in ii Pittsburg bank. but kept
them in his sock. Was he committed on
the Pennsylvania srnatorship? Surely:
hc was pledged 10 all candidates. These
statements appeared to answer all the
qualifications .: u PittsburG newspaper
man and he Was admitted 20 member
snip
Reporter Caught in the Act.
Some one raised an outcry that the in
variable rule of the club prohibiting the
presence of reporters was being violated
hustling young person with the ear
marks of one popular concept on OF d re-
porter was seen circulating around the
tables getting the names of guests and
their speeches. When ordered to get on,
lie said lie Was willing to 90: his mission
had been ACCOMPLISHED and he exhibited
a printed proof of the 'mpromptu'' ~e-
marks OF II ii. Rogers "A guest He was
told that Mr. Rogers had not been asked
to speak. but he read the proofs of the
speech ard called attention to interlinea-
tions In Mr. Rogers own handwriting =
After the words swollen fortunes must
be taxed the orator had written LOUD
applause. and following the statement
that Africa offers splendid possibilities
for permanent settlers w..p believe in the
strenuous life there ''Tremendou.
cheering. The intruder was found to
be Harris NJ. Crist OF the Brooklyn Eagle
recently elected to the club, and as he
had made good on his assignment he wa.
paroled in the custody of Col. Hester
proprietor OF the Eagle. and admitted tC
membership.
Among the most delightful features o.
the evenings entertainment were the
skits furnished by the musical talent o
the club.
In the midst of the gayety the light.
suddenly went out. Knives and fork.
were poised and hush OF expectancy fel
upon the company. Weird chords softl,
played on the piano broke the stiffness
There stealthy shuffinS of feet ant
occasionally sibilant ''Sh-sh-sh'' sounde,
from different sections of the hall. Whe,
tire lights flashed up a curious -lookin;
group stood In the center OF the room
There was tall fellow. with a big b!acl
mustache. a slOuch hat and a general al
OF mystery about him. He might hav
stepped from the frontispiece ~ ''Ol,
Sleuth. on off the stage of the teu-twent
thiriy show. policeman stood nearby
lContinued ON Ninth Pase)