Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-31
SAY FAREWELL
TO ROOSEVELT
AND FAIRBANKS
GRIDIRnN CLUB MEMBERS
SERVE ONLY I'll 2 O"
sERIo-coMIc FUNCTION FULL OF
DISTINCT FEATURES
Noted Newspaper Men and Others
Indulge in Much HiIarity at
Expense of Retiring
Officials

NV ASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-Fareweu
wv to President Roosevelt and Vice
President Fairbanks-in their
official capacity-WaS said to them to-
night by the famous Gridiron club OF
Washington newspaper men.
The occasion was the annual winter
dinner of that club. In all there We're
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 SUI
preme court, cabinet officials, senator's.
representatives, editors, publishers and
men Of affairs generally were in the
gathering.
It 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.
Were Butt of Many Jests
While they were the butt of many Of
the jokes and skits, there was every
evidence that they enjoyed the enter
tainment as much as the rest when the
jests were aimed at others.
The temperance movement showed
it's effect on the club. AS a souvenir
of the dinner guests were given ''H2 Or
illustrated Gridiron almanacs, pub
lished by "The GridTon Water Wagon
Press
Between it's covers no remedy was
given for ills of statesmen, journalists,
real newspaper men, mOllycoddles and
'malefactors of great wealth" other
than "H2 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. 23232323232323,
The guests observed particularly that
the total eclipse of the year sis due in
March, and will be viewed with in
terest by the United States, Africa and
Oyster Bay"
List of Forecasts
A list of forecasts for every day was
given in one section Of the almanac,
but the representations did not eX-
tend beyond March 4. The reason for
this. it was explained, was that after
the fourth of March there is no telling
what will happen"
For the convenience of the guests, q
notice stated that gentlemen men
toned for the Taft cabinet would
march in procession at the Inaugural
ton. forming division %, under Will
liam Loeb, jr., "who has been men
toned most frequently.
But all the wit was not in that alma
mac, as a megaphone man announced
bulletins from the great battle-ground"
This great battle, advertised on hand
bills scattered through the banquet
room, proved to be q fight between
President Roosevelt and congress.
The Inauguration of Henry Hall, cor
respondent Of the Pittsburg Chronicle
Telegraph, as president of the club, af-
Ton ns
Henry of the Philadelphia Press, an
opportunity to give the new official
some instructions.
His Fingers Crossed
The new president took the oath with
his left arm raised and two fingers
crossed, swearing that he would keep
the Ananias club in a flourishing con-
dition, ride ninety-eight miles a day
and keep congress on its reservation.
When Jewett H. Mubree, correspond
ent of the st. Louis Globe-Democrat
made his appearance for initiation, he
produced an invitation from the presi-
dent of the AnaniaS club.
He was told of his mistake, but he
insisted that the room was packed with
members of the AnaniaS club.
The dinner was well advanced when
the lights suddenly went out. Amid
darkness and to the accompaniment of
a weird piano aid, there was a shuttle
Of feet, and in rhythmic time came a
sibilant and mysterious sh-h-h-h.
The secret service Sleuths were ap-
proachingl One of their number ex-
planned that the sleuths were trying
to find out what congressman did with
their $4,000 year.
Chief Wilkie admitted that he had
detected no eounterfeiters, but added
that he had discovered a few ''four
fushers.'
The Song of the SIeuths
The sleuths then sang their roper
toire, including a song about sleuthing
in general and White House sleuthing
in particular.
Finally the squadron separated, one
going out "to protect the letter boxes
in order to keep Senator TiIlman from
franking grand piano"
At another stage Of the dinner an
interruption was made to revise the
tariff, Representatives Serene E. Payne
of New York, John Dalzell of Pennsyi-
vania and Champ Clark of Missouri
were discovered seated at a table An
nouncement was made that the house
committee on ways and means was
in session to hear evidence concerning
the tariff and "God save the United
States" added the herald.
The climax of Andrew Carnegie'S
testimony came when he demanded TO
know what reason there was for tar
iff on steel, now that he had gone out
of business.
The music was attractive, as usual,
and had its elimination when a quar-
tet of members told Vice President
Fairbanks in song that in the clubs
memory his tall form would ever fond
ly live.
Fairbanks on the Banks
The chorus joined in singing to the
tune of "On the Banks Of the Wa
BASH:
Oh, the cocktails they are growing in the
morning,
And the buttermilk is flowing through the
hay;
They are waiting the return Of Mr.. Fairbanks
On the fair banks Of the Wabash. far away.
During the evening the first line sung
Continued on Page Twelve)