New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-08
Far Westerners Forget Or
derS and Latest Stories
to Dine at AStOr.
GOVERNOR WHITMAN
ONE OF THEIR GUESTS
He and Mayor Urge National
Preparedness-Guests Get
Potato Souvenirs.

FOR one evening inc drumWeIs ioi
got their grips and samples. and with
their wives, sisters and swecthearts
watching them from the fcstooned bal
comics of the grand ballroom they dined
last night at the Hotel Aston
More than 5000 travelling statesmen
packed its capacity. Hundreds OF
women lined the balconies and leaned
over. not unlike ladies. on Cordoyan
parapets. TO throw flowers and smiles.
Only to permit Governor Whitman,
Justice Samuel Seabury and judge
Aaron J. Levy 10 make few remarks
did the riot Of singing and laughter
cease
Long before the banquet OF the Far
Western Travellers Association began
last night the Hobbies Of the hotel we're
chokcd with the guests from every
part Of the country. When the doors
Of the grand ballroom we're thrown
open the crowd stepped back IN amaze
ment at the scene. The gilded bal
comics had been festooned with Grim
son, white and blue streamcrs; thou-
sands of little flags hung from the
curved ceiling.
Along one end of the ballroom ran
a dais. In an anteroom the diners
discovered what was said TO be the
largest cake ever made. 'l2-pound
fruit confection, with an electrically
lighted train Of seven sugar cars run
ming on molasses tracks. Twelve ne
eroes. brought from the Pacific Coast,
were busy roasting potatoes weighing
from four to five pounds each. he the
atrical world was represented IN an
other room. where stars of the vaude-
Vile stage were waiting TO entertain
Tie assembly.
When the diners seated themselves
A. the $50 tables the orchestra IN the
gallery struck up Hail 10 the Chief
Governor Whitman entered. followed
by Justice Sesburv, Mayor Mitchell.
Justice Bartow :. Weeks. District At
torney Swami. Judge Otto A. Rosslsky,
Police Commissioner Woods and Dan
lei Frohman. No sooner had they seat
ed them elves than thousands of add
tional lights we're turned on, and the
tiny flags hanging from the ceiling
were released By some mechanical de-
vice. Thousands of outstretched fin
gers caught at the futtering bits Of
colored silk that showed down on the
diners.
whitman! Whitman" cried the din
crs. The Governor spoke o. the hui
morous phases of travelling mans
life and its tragedies He engaged in
a eulogy of big business and compared
the ethical values of business and war.
"Of late pcssimism has been the
fashion here in this country said the
Governor. "Other nations have infiu-
enced It by calling US white rabbit
country, welded 10 trade, afraid 10
fight, more or less stupid and an easy
prey for whatever nation chooses to
leap on us.
I'm the light Of events realize
keenly that we must place much
greater emphasis on naval and military
affairs. | am heart and soul for pre-
paredness. for passions have been
loosed that will threaten for years 10
come. Yet. admitting the great need
for preparedness. ! do not feel that our
present lack of il calls FOR the hvsteris
that sees or that imagnes il sees Zoe
behind every tree"
Tim Healy. president of the organiza-
ton, introduced Justice Seabury, who
spoke in praise of the nomination Of
Louis d. Brandeis for associate justice
of the Supreme Court. When il be-
came apparent. after Judge Levy had
spoken, that Mayor Mitchell and Com
missioner Woods would not address
them. the diners set up such protest
that the guests had 20 reconsider
AS American citizens" said Mr..
Mitchell. speaking Of preparedness and
the defence situation. the duty rests
upon you of opening the eyes Of those
who DO not yet see and lead the minds
OF those who have not yet thought.
Being built up, the public opinion Of
this country will impinge upon Con-
gress until Congress cannot withstand
the force of the opinion and must take
the action necessary to protect the ma
tional life and national integrity"
Al the end Of the dinner bags Of po-
tatoes. the gift of the Northern Pacific
Railway. which is known as the Route
of the Great Big Baker Potato" were
presented 10 the diners and their
women guests.