Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-19
LUNCH OR WHITE CAT?
NEITHER, JUST BANANAS
Bryan's Basket Mystery Stirs Spec
ulation at the White
House.
Garrison Poses for Movies-Pathetic
Plea Of Young Italian
Wife Heard.

Big events gave way to little but
interesting ones around the White
House today Secretary Bryan went to
the cabinet meeting with a good-slzed
basket in his right hand. one of those
kind in which the good old country Wom-
en- take eggs to the city for customers.
1t was closed at the top with two flaps.
Setting of eggs" inquired one friend
as Mr.. Bryan walked into the executive
offices.
NO. just thought I would bring my
luncheon in case the cabinet meeting
ran late was the answer.
Diligent inquiry had failed TO reveal
the contents up to late hour this
afternoon. Secret service operatives
who hang around the White House to
basket contained a white cat which
had been sent to Mr. Bryan to change
his luck.
After the cabinet meeting the mystery
of the basket became known. Cabinet
members stated that Secretary Bryan re-
ceived a shipment of bananas from his
farm near Miami, the first fruit picked
from his banana grove there. He was
so proud of the results that he filled the
basket with bananas for the President
and fellow cabinet officers, who ate free
ly. Attorney General McReynolds took
banana in one hand as he went out and
the other cabinet officers joshed him
about trying to hide the banana and not
eat it to show his hospitality.
Garrison Before Camera.
Secretary Garrison was the center of
moving-picture act just as he was NOV
ing across from the War Department
to the White House. A seven-year-old
New York boy, "Matty' Roberts, dressed
in the khaki uniform Of a soldier of
the United States and carrying a small
gun, walked in soldierly fashion up to
Mr. Garrison. handed over message
supposed to be fresh from the scene of
a great battle with the Mexlcans, but
was in reality an offer of the services OF
The Boy Scouts in case OF war. MI Car
rison read the message, saluted the tiny
messenger, who saluted In return and
then both walked away. Mr.. Garrison to
the cabinet meeting. All the time the
moving picture photographer was getting
in his work.
Master Roberts strobe into the ex-
ecutive offices later and declared that
he wished to proceed to Mexico with as
little delay as possible. He exhibited
his gun, canteen and cap and talked
freely of his war plans.
A more pathetic side to the days in
cidents was a visit paid by Josephine
Lomedico. 4 good7looking Italian girl,
carrying in her arms her four month
old baby. She wanted to see President
Wilson, but, Of course, this could not
be arranged. Her story was that her
husband, Gaspare Lomedico, who was
for years the proprietor of a fruit store
at 21st street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue., was recently sent to the peniten-
tiary on charges made by girl under
sixteen years OF age.
She Blames Jealousy.
The crime he was charged with was
committed more than two years ago."
she said, land after we were married
a year they arrested him and have sent
him to prison. I have no one to look
after myself and baby. My father and
mother are old. too old to help me. and
l cannot make enough money clerking
in a fruit store to feed and clothe the
baby and myself. The charge against
my husband was a conspiracy, Matched
up just because he married me. The
girl made the whole thing up out of
jealousy
The young woman was told to have
her case presented at the Department
of Justice and the White House would
consider it later. She said she had en-
ployed a lawyer to prepare the papers
and had paid him $12 on an account of
$25, but that he did not like her both
ering him SO much.