New-York tribune., 1919-11-20
Attempt by Eight Societies
to Fill Function at Wal.
dorf-Astoria With Cere-
mony Signally Fails
Rejects Imposing Chair
Edward Albert Then Rear
ranges Place Cards So
Taft Sits at His Right


of remarkable.
The youthful prince himself sounded
the note of the occasion when. as twice
before at other functions during the
day he refused to sit in an imposing
chair which had been placed for him
at the guests table. What is more, he
kept a thousand or more diners stand
ing until the chair was removed.
AS a reward, after the young visitor
had made an appealing speech, the vast
gathering of diners and guests in the
boxes rose and sang, Justify, "For He
jolly Good Fellow" Magnifcently
gowned women occupying the two gal
ieries Of the great ballroom, where the
dinner was held, joined in the song,
and when the air died away there were
thunderous cheers for "The Prince!
The Prnce."
Prince Clings to Democracy
Throughout the meal. which was al
most frugal in its simplicity, and af-
terward while William Howard Taft.
Charles f. Hughes and other men Of
wide reputation were voicng warm
praise o. Great Britain's achievements
in the war and laying emphasis on the
common bond of birth and aspiration
between the British Empire and the
United States, Prince Edward insisted
on preserving the atmosphere of
democracy which has marked his visit
to this city from the first.
There were impressive moments, of
course, such as when the vast assem-
blage rose and sang God Save the
King" and the mind of the spectator
had difficulty in divesting itself of the
influence Of the hundreds of military
uniforms, with their glittering decora-
tions and the wealth Of coorful and
imposing hangings, but for the most
part the dinner was what the young
prince insisted on making it-a feast
OF good fellowship. with plenty of songs
and laughter thrown in.
L. s. and British Flags Line Walls
The eight societies which gave the
dinner were the Sulgrave Institution.
Of which William Howard Taft is the
president; the English Speaking Union.
the British Schools and Universities
Club, the Saint Andrews Society, the
Saint David's Society, the Saint
Georges Society, the Canadian Club
and the Canadian Society.
The four sides of the large banquet
hall with the exception of sufficient
space for the guests in the boxes to
see what was going on, were almost un-
broken walls of British and American
flags. Back of the dais on which stood
Il
gigantic "lunette' of combined British
and American colors. and in the center
OF this were the three sweeping feath-
ers denoting the royal rank of the
guest of honor
Edward, when he marched down the
long corridor leading into the dining
hall where the members Of the eight
societies awaited him, was preceded by
q blare of stirring music from the
c,o IL o.lx
Instantly a cheer went up from those
on the main floor, and applause broke
out in the galleries.
Indian Poet Lends Color
The prince was preceded by Major
Scott and followed by Mr. Taft, Mr..
Hughes and the others who were to sit
at the speakers table Rustom Rustom-
gee, an Indian poet, wearing a long
yellow gown with crimson trimmings
at the neck and cuffs, wound up the
procession and added a vivid touch of
color.
The prince and the others marched
across the dining room to the farther
end and then crossed to their seats at
the dals 1t was then that the prince
discovered the offending chair.
This article OF furniture, sumptu-
ously fitted with dark. red plush and
framed in black wood, with a crown
like contrlvance at the head, had been
placed at the center Of the table with
much formality by three walters, with
the faithful Oscar lowering vigilantly
nearby hut the prince smiled cour-
teously but firmly when he saw it.
please take that big chair away"
he sand TO the watchful Oscar at
would make me uncomfortable to sit
In it."
lhree other walters FASTENED to oboy.
and there was laughter and applause
from among the diners and spectators
as 1T was being carried away There
was still another short delay until the
prince had rearranged the place cards
SO that Mr. Taft would have the seat
on ms right. and then the prince and
everybody else sat down
Prince Pays Respects to Taft
Here is the speech made by the
prince after Mr.. Taft had addressed
the diners:
Mr. Taft, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the presence of such distinguished
orators am not going to attempt to
make iuildress speech, but l regard
II I, as great honor that ex- President
ialt should have come to preside here
tonight, and | am grateful to him for
the far too generous words in which
ne mas proposed my health
II Is great pleasure to me to meet
Vne representatives here of societies
"hich are alt devoted to the memories
and traditions that bind English-speak-
ing people throughout the world. Your
nosp,'ailty is pleasant episode in my
ne!lghtful visit to New York, and
mans you sincerely for the kind wav
IN "hich YOU have drunk my health.
AS read the list of societies which
were 10 entertain me here tonight I
was strongly reminded of MANY de-
hghtful experiences which have fallen
70 me in the last six months.
England Very Much Herself"
"The three most ancient societies
here-the st. Georges st. Andrews
and St David's resent the little old
island of Great Britain from which
started on my travels four months ago
can assure the st. Georges Society
that England is still very much her
self. She is recovering rapidly from
the great strain of the war and is con-
tinuipg to do her best to rival the
greatness of Scotland and Wales.
"To the St Andrews and st. David's
societies I can make an equally salts
factory report. | was both in Edin-
burgh and in Cardiff very short time
before l sailed, and was able to assure
myself that Scotland and Wales are
still going strong. | cannot, | regret
70 say makez-any remarks to the ST. /
Andrews men here Tonight. in Gaelic
~vs ssaast axAa wssAeut mere pxspAxar !