Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-17
Nebraska
who WAS GREATEST
WHEN TEDDY CAME?
Ex. Senator Burkett and Frank
Woods Wage Sub Rosa Bat.
tie for Honor of Entertain
ing Former President.

Lincoln, June l6-(Special.)-Was
it Solomon who in order to settle a
dispute as TO who was really entitled
to a baby, grasped his trusty knife
and threatened to carve the child i'll
twain so that each OF the two women
claiming it might have a share5
II it was, history had chance to
repeat itself this week; in fact, did
repeat itself, somewhat differently,
though, when Teddy Roosevelt came
to Lincoln and two well known men,
both OF whom claimed right to be
called the greatest in the kingdom"
prepared to entertain the distinguished
visitor. 1t was necessary for the CON-
mittee, acting as a modern Solomon,
to step in and settle the question.
While the modern Solomon did not
exhibit his knife, it is understood that
other knives were not far away and
but for the Solomonization Of the pro-
ceedings there might have been an
other story to tell.
Burkett Sends Invitation.
When it was announced that the
ex-presdent was coming to Lincoln
to deliver the semi-centennial address,
former United States Senator Bur-
kett, who won his spurs as senator
while Colonel Roosevelt was presi-
dent, sent the coming guest an invi-
tation to take lunch with him at the
Burkett home, which, by the way, is
one Of the most palatial residences in
the city.
President Frank Woods OF the
Commercial club, who has a brand
new residence also, out on the boule-
ward, decided that it was up to him
to entertain the former president as
he had never been entertained before,
and, mind you, Mr.. Woods could have
done it. too, even If he never had been
in the United States senate.
Well, Teddy came. Both men had
made extensive preparations to enter
tain the great man. The high cost Of
living was forgotten and both men
did their "gol durndest' to make good.
Two Tables Groaned.
II was not only a ticklish situation,
but it was a serious situation. II was
not only serious, but it was precarious,
so to speak. Two tables groanng
with the delicacies of the season were
waiting for the ex-president. Two
homes were standing with open doors
waiting to receive a distinguished
guest. Two automobiles with throb-
bing engines were waiting to carry the
valiant colonel to the aforesaid groan-
ing tables and homes with open doors.
The committee was up in the air.
But something had to be done. The
sun had nearly reached the meridian
and ex-presidents are supposed to get
hungry just like common people. Just
what really did happen is somewhat
clouded in the minds of most people
and so The Bee, always willing to set
things right, discovered the following
after investigation:
Three Stories Told.
Information from the Commercial
club disclosed that Colonel Roosevelt
took his MONDAY meal at the Lincoln
hotel.
Over at the Lincoln hotel the infor-
nation was given out that Colonel
Roosevelt ate lunch at the governors
mansion.
Information from the governors Of
fee disclosed that Colonel Roosevelt
ate his midday lunch at the home Of
Senator Burkett.
So with three perfectly good lunches
TO stimulate him and crowd OF 50,-
900 to listen, 1t is no wonder that the
colonel delivered mighty good ad-
dress.
What Really Happened.
A Sherlock Holmes investigation,
however, deduces the following: The
committee desiring to smooth down
any ruffled feathers which might have
been brushed the wrong way and not
caring to let the distinguished guest
discover that he was the means of
causing any dissension in an other
wise happy committee, sent the
colonel to lunch as the guest of Sem
ate. Burkett at the latter's home. The
honor of conveying him to the SEN
atorial home was conferred upon
Colonel Frank Woods, who was also
given the honor of escorting the ex-
president in the parades and taking
him about to all the functions. So
that matter was settled, but the ques-
ton who is greatest in the capital city
OF Nebraska still remains unsettled.
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