The Washington herald., 1917-01-02
''GUS,' MPRESSARI0
OF 1917 PEACE Dove
Genial Boniface at Occidental Stages
War and Universal Good viii.

Little old 1917 was ushered In with q
dove Of peace on each shoulder at the
Occidental Hotel last night. While the
debut was a little bit delayed, it was
none tho less enthusiastic and several
hundred diners welcomed the little fell
ringing Of the old welkin. and in a spirit
of good fellowship that bode well for
the next years existence.
The message of peace borne by 1917
arrived on board the merchant sub
marine Deutschland. which steamed slow
ly up Pennsylvania avenue and dropped
anchor in front of the Occidental. Gus
Bucholz. the genial host and major domo.
was on hand to receive the glad tidings
and forthwith took them into the crowd
cd dining-room. And he arrived Just In
time to prevent the staging Of the worst
carnage Of the whole European war.
Musicians, representing each of the
warning nations. seated on the
stage In the dining-room, each vieing
with the other to produce the national
anthem OF his chosen country to the
loudest Of his ability, were making a
horrible din when Mr.. Bucholz stepped
forth with Uncle Sam clinging to his
elbow. Uncle Sam stood a moment in
amusement, Then assumed a posture OF
'watchful waiting" When nudged by
friend Gus. however, he got into action,
produced a baton from a hip pocket and
with a few deft waves, brought harmony
out OF the clashing cresendo of sounds.
National Anthems.
Then followed the national anthems
Of the various countries, played in pro-
per measure, with The Star Spangled
Banner ss the grand finale. After the
rendition of the National Air the
whole assemblage held a peace confer
ence, voted Uncle Sam the greatest per-
sonage in history and bestowed due
thanks upon Gus Bucholz for staging
the first real peace conference since the
start Of the great world conflict.
While the orchestra was at odds on
the matter OF their selections there was
tendency on the part OF the diners to
take sides. and representatives of almost
every nation were on their feet cheering
the strains of "Marseilles," God Save
the Queen" or Die Wacht on Die
Rhine" But when the peace confer
ence" formally convened, alien hands
were clasped across white table covers
and in one little corner of the old world
at least peace reigned supreme.
Master of Ceremonies.
For the rest of the evening, the lit
tie fellow with the mystic numbers was
the master of ceremonies and right roy
ally he ruled. He was toasted until
done" to rich golden brown and then
toasted again; his health was drunk until
his store should last for about fifteen
instead OF twelve months. and he lorded
It over all with the outstretched hand
OF good-fellowship.
And when the little fellow had been
properly welcomed, he recalled that the
Capital must obey the various edicts
written into books for the discomfort of
celebrators and with a final chorus from
Aud Lang Syne" the Inauguration was
declared complete and the assemblage
departed homaward, their pockets stuff
ed with fRvors of various hue and de-
sign and with the firm conviction that
Gus Bucholz was a mighty good host and
better peace procurer than any maker
of four-wheeled vehicles In America