The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-11
CITY GIVES FEAST
IN HONOR OF VICTOR
Leaders in Many Walks of
Life Pay Tribute to
Pershing.
IAUD GENERALS DEEDS
Throngs Storm Waldorf When
Dinner Is Given by Mayors
Committee.

mocracy, the mighty new king. Toasted
last night its triumphant statesman SOL
der, Gen Pershing. II was at the
waldorf-Astoria Hotel that Mayor Hy-
lans Committee or. Receptions to Distin-
rushed guests gave a banquet that was
generally regarded as one of the great
est in the city's history. and gave It
gladly to the first General the city has
entertained in almost half a century.
Among the 1000 persons who had bid
eagerly for the privilege Of breaking
bread with the commander Of Americas
army Of righteousness were men who
held in their control the purse strings
and the mind of the earth.
There were magnates of great wealth,
leading figures in banking circles in the
steel industry. In great mercantile or
ganiZations There were sculptors, au-
thors, editors and publishers, men from
every branch of art and science. Con-
gressmen from distant parts of the coun-
try were there to do him honor. Judges
beamed upon him. forgetting tho judicial
poise in their zeal to show gratitude for
his fine services. Men whose word 10
law in the theatre and the motion pic
ture business were glad to sit in far or
corners Of the hotel where they could
not even see him or hear his voice, 80
that they might say that they had paid
homage to John Pershing.
French I'm Audience.
Scattered among the tables were the
horizon blue uniforms of French Of
hcers, turning ever and again to look
with smiling eyes on the man who had
uttered that simple speech of memorable
import Lafayette, we are here" Mill
tary leaders among the British, the Ital-
lens, the Serbs and others of the Allies
we're present, as were many high rank
ing officers OF our own American Army
and Navy, talking increasingly of the
businesslike way In which Black Jack"
rad helped settle a most unbusine sslife
affair.
And not the least Of all. from a box
above the dining space looked down the
Generals own family, his brother and
nephew, his two sisters. and all the other
immediate relatives who had been at
tending him all day during the parade
and were still unflagging in their pride
at the signal reward being shown him.
Never did a victor hear his praises
sung in speeches that were 30 free from
fulsomeness and yet abated nothing
from the full measure of his due. Mayor
Hylan spoke of him as the greatest of
great Generals" linking his name with
Washington. Lincoln and Roosevelt,
Secretary Of War Baker paid him glow
ing tribute. And then the General, un-
sblo to conceal his modesty, stirrcd his
hearers with an address in which he
made clear, his devotion to the duty of
his life, the maintaining of his couutr rvs
kInnr rot Ha he rrAv
for himself
Altogether. as Oscar Tschirky-Oscar
of the Waldorf-felt free to say himself,
it was the greatest little party ever held
at the famous hostelry-and Oscar is no
mean Judge. The only festival there
that compared with it. in Oscars mind,
was the banquet given to President
Roosevelt ten years ago.
Crowds Appear Early.
Elaborate preparations were made for
handling the throng that began surHing
through the Waldorf doors from as early
as 80 p NJ Police were everywhere
outside, and police reserves were look
ing their brightest and shiniest and
seekest inside-and salutes were the
,snappiest the Waldorf has ever wit
messed
Long before the time for the General
to appear from the concert at Central
Park women in alluring evening gowns
that not even the disagreeable drizzle
outside could keep tucked in the ward
robe thronged the famous Peacock Alley
and overlooked into the ground floor
reception rooms. Men in swallowtails
with the Distinguished Service Cross, the
Croix de Guerre and the Medaille Mill
ta're, giving fash OF brilliance to their
dark, conventional garb. stood in groups
In the lobbies-some OF them bearing
another sort of distinction, a crutch and
limping leg.
The main foyer of the Waldorf was
closed to the public and was used as the
coat room, while the rose room facing
Firth avenue was used as a reception
room Every available room on the first
moor was utilized to take care of the
multitude met to acclaim the returned
warrior and every available inch on the
moor above was devoted TO the banquet
FrlVate meeting rooms and checking
rooms adjacent to the grand ballroom
were turned into banquet halls, and
these, though the diners were out of
Asht and of earshot of the dais where
Gen PeTshing sat. were filled to more
man capacity by men of consequence
VINO al most banquets would be seated
at the dais themselves
hand Plays spriEhtIy Airs.
II was about Sis that thew heSan
ming into their places at the tables
WINE The band. high up in the ball
ION played Sousas sprightliest airs.
Sohe time after the hall was filed the
Urvhestral music suddenly stopped. to be
seOIeeded by the imposing martial
snS OF the organ. A quick pause
.eu on the small talk All heads were
slIneo TO the glass doors at the side,
near the dais, through which the Gem
sral was to enter.
men with the easy stride of a soldier
80, was reviewing others and not &C
y himself being reviewed, that stall
,,ut hglre entered. Beside him marched
mayor Hylan, smiling 100 10 the minute.
% @nu after him came Secretary Baker,
zen, Peyton c. March and the others
" pe seated at the dais. The Generals
esppearance was the signal for an out
Uurs' or handclapping from those near
sle door which swept into a great
ourst OF cheering as he became visible
boxes
General Has Winning Smile.
And the Generals smile was some
tnih2 to- the home folks to see = " haA
that unaffected, direct quality which
seemed TO acknowledge the saIutation OF
e.Vefy stranger whom he passed as
though that man were an intimate
friend His face flushed and his eyes
sparkled as the cheering continued for
sWo minutes. ending with a call from