The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-01
HUNG JOKES ON THEM.
Gridiron Club Had Fun With RoOse-
Welt and Fairbanks.

Washington. Feb. Farewell to
President Roosevelt and Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks their official
capacity onIy-was said to them
Saturday night by the famous Grid
iron 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 in
Guided many names that figure con-
spicuously in the hall of fame. Am
o1 s oors, 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
AS the president and vice president
were the guests of honor they came
/ IN Tor equal prominence in the fun
OF the evening While they were the
putt OF many Of the jokes and skits
| there was every evidence that they
/ enjoyed the entertainment as much
as when the. jests were aimed at
others
GridfrOn Almanac.
The temperance moxement showed
ITS erect on the club. As the souvenir
o. {. the dinner. the guests We're given
- ID. : o.. Illustrated .Gridiron al
Inanacs, published by the Grfdiron
WaterwagOn Press" Between its COW
SEs Lnerc was TO remedy given for ills
OF Statesmen, journalists. newspaper
men, moIlycoddles. maiefa ctors of
great wealth. ether than plain H. ?
IN this almanac the Teddy Bear.
1 formed the center of the signs of the
Zodiac, while the entire production
was marked as forwarded to congress
as Special Message. No. 23232323-
The guests observed particuIariv
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" A list
Of forecasts for every day was given
in one section of the almanac. but the
prOgnOSticatIOns did not extend beyond
March 4 the reason for this. it was ex-
planned was that after March 4 there
is no telling what will happen"
But all the Wit was not in that al
manac, as a megaphOue man announced
bulletins from the Great Battle This
great battle advertised on hand bills
scattered through the banquet room,
proved to be a fight between President
Roosevelt and congress.
The inauguration of Henry Hail. cor
respondent of the Pittsburg Chronicle
Telegraph. as president of the club af-
forded the retiring president, James s
Henry of the Philadelphia Press, an op-
pOrtunity 70 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 Ananfas club in a -four
iShing condition. ride sS miles a day
and keep congress on its reservation.
When Jules H Auber. correspondent
of the St Louis GIobe-Democrat. made
his appearance for initiation. he pro
duced an invitation from the president
Of the Ananias club He was told OF
his mistake, but he insisted that the
room was packed with members of the
Auazfas club
hTe Lights Went Out
The dinner was well advanced when
the lights suddenly went out Amid the
darkness and to the accompaniment of
a weird piano air there was a shuttle
and mysterious '-sT1-Sh-sh-'' The Sc
cret service sIeuths were approaching
One of their number. Biukerton. ex-
planned that the sIeuths were trying TO
find out what congressman did with
their $500 a year
A mum Der of members appeared as
the presidents country life commits
SION Some startling discoveries were
made by these frock-coated, coIIege-de-
gree pIastered gentlemen They found
that the principal ingredient Of milk IS
water. that ancient eggs are sold to
city folks as strictly fresh and that
"Opeu-work plumbing is confused IN the
rural mind with open work shirt
waists"
As they departed a messenger boy
handed President Hall cablegram. II
read
The 'possum am very, very fine
WILLIAM H TAFT"