Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-31
DINNER OF CRIDIRON CLUB
Organization Bids Official Farewell to
President and Vice President.
GUESTS BUTT OF MANY JOKES
Secret Service Agents, Country Life
Commission and Presidents Mes
saEes Come I'm for share
of Attention.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 35-Farcwel TO
President Roosevelt and Vive President
Fairbanks--in their official capacity only
was said TO them tonight by the famous
Gridiron club of Washington newspaper
men. The occasion was the annual winter
dinner of that club In all there were
nearly 200 guests, and, as is always the
case. the roll included many names that
figure conspicuously in the hall OF fame.
Ambassadors. justices of the supreme court
of the United States, cabinet officials,
senator's, representatives, editors, publishers
and men of affairs generally were in the
gathering.
1t was far from a sad affair. although
the occasion was of a farewell nature.
Gridiron dinners never are sad. As the
president and vice president were the
guests Of honor so they came in for equal
prominence in the fun of the evening
While they were the butt of many OF the
jokers and skits, there was every evidence
that they enjoyed the entertainment as
much when jests were aimed at other.
The temperance showed its effect on the
cub. As the souvenir of the dinner the
guests we're given III o illustrated Grid
iron Almanacs, published by the Gridlron
waterwagon press" Between its cover
statesmen, journalists, real newspaper men,
mollycoddles. malefactors of great wealth,
"other than plain II 2 o.
In this almanac the TEDDY bear" formed
the center of the signs Of the zodiac.
while the entire production was marked as
forwarded to congress as Special message
No. 2S2S23232S2s.'
Total Eclipse OF Year.
! The guests observed particularly that
total eclipse OF the year is due "early in
! March, and will be viewed with interest
( by the United States. Canada, Africa and
oyster Bay"
For the convenience Of some OF the
guests notice stated that gentlemen men
toned" for the Taft cabinet will march in
procession at the Inauguration, forming
division q, under William Loeb jr.. who
has been mentioned most frequently"
| But I'll the wit was not In that almanac
as megaphone man announced bulletins
from the great battle" This great battle
advertised on handblls scattered through
the banquet room. proved TO be fight
between President Roosevelt and congress
| The inauguration OF Henry Hail. CORE
| spondent OF the Pttsburg Chroncle-Tele-
I graph. as president OF the club, afforded
| the retiring president James 8. Henry. OF
the Philadelphia Press an opportunity tC
1 give the new official some Instructions
| The new president took the oath with his
left arm raised and two fingers crossed
| swearing that he would keep the Anania'
club in a flounshing condition, ride ninety
eight miles a Gay and keep congress OF
its reservation.
Secret Service Men Arrive.
The dinner was well advanced when Tho
lights suddenly went out. Amid darkness
and TO the accompaniment OF weird piano
sir there was a shuttle OF feet and IL
rythm came a sibilant aud mysterious
"sh-sh-sh." The secret service sleuths wer'
approaching. One Of their number, Blink
erton. explained that the slcuths wer,
trying to find out what congressman die
with their $500 a year. Chief Bilkie ad
mitted that he had detected no counter
feiters. but added that he had discovered
a few four flushers. The sleuths then sans
their repertoir. including a song aboa
sleuthing in general and White Hous'
sleuthing in particular. Finally. the squa'
separated, one party going out ito pro
teet the letter boxes in order TO keep sena
tor Tillmsn from franking a grand piano.
At another stage OF the dinner an in
terruption was made TO revise the tariff
Representatives Serene Payne Of Ney
York, John Dalzell OF Pennsylvania an,
Champ Clark Of Missouri were discovers
seated at a table Announcement wa
(Coptfnued on Second pa0eA