The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-28

oL tHc SplTlI or these OcCaSlOnS, snow ed
 how unique feature they were of
 Washington's political life.' The Gridiron club for years has kept
 a large book in it's reception room and
 in this book each guest inscribes his
 name.
 l When Croker reached the book on l one occasion Mark Hanna had just | written his name and was rising from ! the table. The two leaders had never met and each looked at the other for | an instant, then MT Croker spoke: Your face seems very familiar" and
 there was twinkle in his eye. "I ought to know you from your pie l tures," said Hanna. smiling broadly. | A little later they found themseive seated opposites each other at the din-
 ner table and had a good time togeth- 1 CT. 'I knew your face" said Croker. | but l missed that suit with the dollar marks"
 "Td have been sure it was you if you'd worn that striped suit" retorted Hanna.
 How did you like 1t, chief " asked
 Croker's host, John Corwin, after the dinner was over.
 Fine replied Croker. Say, do you know who made the best speech? The | Chink. The Chink was better'n all of 'em"
 He referred to his excellency Minis ter Wu Ting fang. At another dinner in 1913 Thomas F. Logan of the Philadelphia Inquirer was initiated & member of the club, and part of his hazing was to go about as a young reporter and interview the guests Then he was questioned concern ' ing the results: This is what happened:
 Did you interview the Secretary of rrl~A Yes"
 What did he say?' ''He denies it.
 What does he deny?"
 That's what I asked him, and he said
 it didn't make any difference what it was the immemorial custom of the war department to deny everything One of the attractive features of the club dinners is that those who have joined the mute majority''-departed members are never forgotten. A tribute is paid to their memory and on one occa sion one of the most beautiful thoughts in this connection was expressed by Louis A Coolidge, who said
 "The Gridiron club goes on forever; though in the course of time it's mem bership must change, till in due season those now mingling here become but
 memories to the later born. We cannot alter everlasting laws or stop the time piece of eternity which strikes for each
 his hour to fall asleep. Our comrades come; they go; and as they pass they lay their offerings on the Gridiron shrine contented if the gifts they bear blend in the glory of the club they love and fix their memory in place among the crowd ing recollections of receding years And as they melt into the shadows of the past it is most fitting that those lingering here speak each name fondly for remem brance sake"
 Quickly-as in a fash-in moment there comes a change over the vast as- semblage as the words of the speaker ring forth; upon a screen appear the faces of the men who are no more; from out the darkness comes a voice calling their names, reciting their deeds, and pay ing final tribute to their beloved memory then distant sound of music is heard and as the pictures begin to fade, the music grows louder and more insistent, and the words of the old-time song are heard:
 Don't you hear them bells?
 Don't you hear them bells?
 They are ringing out the glory of the day!''
 Quickly again the entire assemblage | turns to levity and to merry making. This says MT. Dunn. 'is as it should be. It is as those gone before would wish. Every Gridiron man wants to be thus remembered by his fellow-members but only for a moment would he have the enjoyment of a Gridiron dinner inter- rupted while the brief tribute is paid and he is enshrined in memories before for ever passing into the shadows. Senti- ment, of course; and as I have reviewed the past 30 years of Gridiron life I have found sentiment lingering at every mile stone. It founded the organization, kept it alive, placed it upon a plane of sue cess and achievement. Without such true and lasting sentiment there would be no Gridiron club.'