The Washington herald., 1912-05-19

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A rare painting OF Charles II In the
restaurant always excited the admira-
ton OF art connoisseurs. Roessle did not
hesitate to ship old-fAshioned somber
furniture alI-the way from Europe II he
thought It would please the taste OF HIS
patrons. This love for the artistic had
the effect OF bringing European princes
and mobiles to his hotel when they came
to Washington, and made the reputation
OF the Arlington known in Europe az
wen as IN America.
Famed for Terrapin.
The Arlington's terrapin snd canvas
back duck were famous, as was the
game served there. Old Southern cook
ing was cultivated so that a dinner there
became the logical meeting place for a
discussion OF affairs of State or national
Importance.
In the spacious, old-fashioned dining
room and restaurant were always found
the Irish chefs, with their negro serv-
ants. There Is one old negro. George
Washington. known as one Of the most
tactful and diplomatic old darkies In
the United States. He got his train
ing at the Arlington and boasts proud
ly OF having waited on all the most
celebrated men for the last forty years.
Practically all the Presidents stopped
at the Arlington for their Inauguration
from 1870 up to President Mckinley
time. President Taft stopped there
during the first year that he was In
Washington. And during the last po-
litical campaign. when the President
met a friend from Washington and said
inaulringly;
What's the outlook? what's the bet
ting at the Arlington Hotel?"
Died mt the Arlington.
Thomas B. Reed, long Speaker OF the
House OF Representatives, died at the
Arlington, as did Senator Mark Hanna,
former Secretary OF State, Walter Q.
Gresham, and q former Postmaster
General Henry c. Payne.
1t was at the Arlington that Senator
Root made his-home when he first came
to Washington. Senator Aldrich, when
he comes TO Washington, slips in quiet
ly to the Arlington. Oscar W. Under
wood, Democratic leader of the House,
now lives there.
In the old days tbs Arlington was the
headquarters for the Republican Ma
tional Committee. The hotel was the
great conference ground for politicians.
a distinction which IL retains to this
day, although the conferences of late
years have had more OF a foreign and
diplomatic than a political backing.
The transition from national politics
to foreign diplomacy began when Ii
Hung Chang came the Arlington with
his suite OF about 100 Chinese. Chinese
Wallets, cooks, tailors appeared every
where, as the noted Chinese did not
wish to trust HIS comfort to other
hands.
T,,.J,, A. r,,,..g.,, T,.,...n -.
Prince 'Fushimi. OF Japan. had a whole
annex OF the hotel, and japanese con-
ferences were frequently seen at one
table. while there was a conference OF
Russians at another.
Worked on Boundary Dispute.
Baron Rio Brance, Minister Of Foreign
Affairs Of Brazil. spent a winter at the
Arlington while he was here working as
special representative OF his govern
ment on the boundary dispute with Ar
gentina. He attributed much of the
success OF his work to the fact that he
could labor undisturbed in comfortable
surroundings. This same consideration
was accorded to J. P. Morgan or ]. ].
Hill, who come to the Arlington because
they know they will be let alone.
Mr.. Morgan did not register, but was
given his suite of rooms, and his special
waiter. special barber, and valet to care
for all his comforts.
On this same unofficial list Of guests
at the Arlington were the Astors and
other well known New York people.
George Bakhmeteff, the Russian Am
bassador, and his family stopped at the
Arlington. They found more home COM
fort in the large, spacious rooms than
in the many mansions which have been
offered them in Washington.
The Arlington was for years the meet
ing place for Central American diplo-
matists, who have solved many of their
knotty problems in its cafe and lobby.
The Washington peace convention of
1907, which has done more than any
thing else to insure peace in Central
America, was first conceived at a meet
ing at the Arlington.
Some of the sumptuous banquets which
have been given at the hotel have long
been remembered
One is the banquet given by Andrew
Carnegie to the delegates of the Inter
national American Congress in March.
1880. 1t is said that the splendor of this
banquet had much to do with starting
the American countries on the road OF
progress toward better understanding
Every zone and cline was ransacked for
luXuries. The feast Is said to have ex-
celled that feast Of Lucullus in his villa
at Tusculum, historic among Roman din
ners.
The nations Capital will feel the loss
of this historic hostelry.