The Elbert County tribune., 1914-06-12


pledged to the ut
most secrecy. and membership in the
organization is more difficult to obtain
than in the fashionable Metropolitan
club.
The origin of the Alibi club is an
other mystery. Just who started the
organization and under what circum-
stances is secret that is jealousy
guarded by the members. 1t undoubt-
edly includes in its membership the
cream of Washington's administrative
society. for membership in the club is
eagerly sought.
II you we're to pass west along
street northwest, past the tall and
majestic quarters of the Army and
Navy club and the statue of Farra-
gut, you might see a strange old resi-
dence on the south side of the street
II you were to stop the policeman on :
the block and ask him who lived there.
he'd say:
That's the Alibi clubhouse"
And he couldn't tell you word more
than that. The clubhouse was once
a fine mansion, and within the con-
fines of the neighborhood live num-
ber of families who form that classic
and select coterie known as the "old
Washington set'-folks who have
lived in Washington always and who
care no more for the passing of ad-
ministrations than the passing of the
latest popular dance.
1t will be seen, then, that the Alibi
clubhouse occupies quarters as exclu-
sive as its membership Tenacious in
its adherence to the old and original
order of things the Alibi club still
holds fast to its few established rules
and refuses to succumb to the craze
for publicity that is one of the nota-
BILE features of the twentieth century.
Every little while some one in Wash
ington comes out with a tale of the
doings at the Alibi club. but the de-
tails are usually lacking. An instanceJ
of the silence that is drawn about thed
government, rules and affairs of uH
Alibi club was given the other dayAv
A reporter called on Marcellus
Bailey, the proctor" of the Alibi club.
Mr.. Bailey is well-known Washington
lawyer.
Mr.. Bailey" said the reporter. Il
would like to know at what time the
Alibi club was formed, and by what
persons"
Mr.. Bailey blushed in an embar.
rassed way.
Really" he said. that is a mat
ter | never speak about
Gould you tell me who are some
of the members?"
Il hope you will pardon me-" said
Mr.. Bailey, but the Alibi club is a
matter l never discuss
rs there any one who would dis
cuss it?''
81 certainly hope not" said the proc
tor
The keynote of the membership in
the Alibi club is temperament, from
all that can be learned of the matter.
If southern congressman comes to
Washington with peculiar faculty
for coon songs on the mouth organ,
he is likely to be asked to join
II congressman comes to Washing
ton and exhibits certain facility with
banjo or jews harp, he is in immi-
nent danger of Alibi membership II
he is an expert on the fiddle-no, not
the violin-he would be strictly eligi-
BILE, in all probability. "F1ddling Bob"
Taylor. the late senator from Tennes-
see, is an example of the temperament
required for membership in this
strange club. On the other hand, a
classic violin artistic. in all probable
ity. couldn't secure membership with
dynamite and dark lantern.
The exact qualifications for member
ship in the club are locked in the
safe along with the rest of the clubs
''rit-chul." and are not known to the
plebeian and untemperamental rest
of the worlds inhabitants. One thing,
however. is known. The black ball
plays leading part In the admission
OF candidates. One vote is enough to
disqualify for life