The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
STATESMEN Sing
and TELL YARNS
Take Part in ''Musical Even
ing" at National Press
Club.
KAHN DISPLAYS TALENT
Shows Tbespian Ability - Senator
Bradley's Stories Are
Enjoyed.

"A Musical Evening was the title. A
musical evening was what was staged
at the National Press Club last night.
That it was an evening-a particularly
large evening-may not be disputed.
Musical statesmen-the quotation marks
around music are eliminated here and
hereafter to save space-contributed the
program. 1t is true that they sang, and
sang we'll 1t is remarkable; nothing
short of marvellous, in fact that they dis
closed each some trait not musical as
music usually is known.
In Representative Kahn, Of California,
there was uncovered a rare actor OF ripe
talent and experience. Those who knew
that he was a graduate of stock were
even more surprised; for he was a better
actor than the average leading man IN
such companies.
Senator Bradley, of Kentucky. was
found to be a story teller of note. He
told several stories, which. If they could
be retoId, would add materially to the
already large store Of Congressional anec-
dotes.
Senator Smith, of Arizona, it was dis
covered early in the evening, is reticent;
shy to a degree that could not be regis
tered by an ordinary thermometer.
''SonS Bird of Tammany."
Representative Conry, announced to be
THE Song Bird Of Tammany Hall, I'M
covered a tenor voice that, coming 1romi
his bass figure was a surprise both as to
its quality and its cOurce.
Representative Cooper, of Wisconsin,
confessed, by his rendition of a poem
and condemned FiIipino's farewell to
his country. to being poet and a col
lector of excellent, If unknown, ltera-
ture.
The program was opened by President
Oswald Schuette. Cf the Press Club. Vice
President Theodore Tiller acted as mas
ter of ceremonies.
There was an air of mystery about the
whole affair. There was no program
scheduled. Il was announced that the
performers haG refused to divulge the
nature of their idea of music. 1t was
well, for it would have been necessary
to change the title.
Representative Conry followed the I'll
tie. He sang Believe Me II All Those
Endearing Young Charms" He sang it
so well that, in spite of the fact that
he opened the bill-sOmething that no
vaudeville star would trust himself to
do-he was applauded to the well-knoWn
echo He then sang 'Juanita, and re-
tired amid cheers.
Mr. Kahn, without makeup or costume, |
proceeded by turns to make his hearers
laugh, sigh, and stand on chairs to cheer. !
He started with monologue that might |
have been called Rogers, Me Dog" 1t
was the recital of beggar's love for his !
dog and whisky. The expression that Mr.. |
Kahn got into his recitation of the beg |
gar's story, the faithfulness to life that !
his acting conveyed, made this the hit
BurIesque ON julius Caesar.
oh faI nod
Morning. Miss Kate and Another Yer
sion of Julius Caesar The latter was !
burlesque of Shakespeare's play. 1t re-
Volved around Caesar, Brutus, and An
tony. Caesar was to furnish food for his
party for the day. He bought three
loaves of bread. among other things.
While he was going for Antony. Brutus
ate two of the three lOaves. Caesar, on
returning. met Brutus' confession 20
having let two" with the heart-tearing
question, "Et tn. Brute?'
Representative Cooper recited a poem
of his own composition. 1t was good. As
an encore, he repeated the farewell of
a Young Filipino, about to be shot. He
recited it with exceptional expression.
Senator Bradley followed with several
stories 1t must have :Iken him several
years of practice to learn them, and
daily newspaper cannot, very well, wait
several years more TO repeat them, so
it must suffice to say that one of the
stories, in particular. was said to be the
best that ever has been told by mem
ber of Congress This was intended as
a compliment TO a master raconteur.
Then the quartet-broken by the alb
sence, because of confessed cold feet, of
Senators Chiffon and Smith, of South
Carolina-gave "Old Kentucky Home" and
THE Old Oaken Bucket" Senators Smith,
of Arizona, and Bradley and Representa-
tive Conry formed three-fourths of the
quartet. Edwin CaIlOw filled in, and fit
ted well.
Senator Smith, of Arizona. told story
of three sentences and retired. Then,
aft r Edwin Callow had sung a solo, the
most distinguished vaudeville cast that
has been brought together in contem-
porary times wrapped flannel about their l
respective throats and went home I