New-York tribune., 1919-11-25
SO Tiny Mine-Sweepers
Reviewed by Navy Chiefs

gallery that encircles the grand ball
room of the Astor.
When Secretary Daniels entered he
and Admiral Strauss and Supreme
kn'ght James Flahcrty Of the Knights
or Columbus were seated at small
tlrcu ar table quite like the other that
crossed the room, each Of which was
surrounded by sailors and not COM
missloned officer in the lot.
Volunteers Fall Down
Then the Secretary of the Navy
called for men to fiji up the vacant
places at his table There were no
volunteers from all the brave lads who
never once funked it in the North Sea,
no matter how hazardous the job.
FINALLY a four-striper saved the sit
uatlon by pointing finger at Chief
Machinrst Mate Ralph Duncan. whose
nom home IS in Alton; n. H.; Chief Commits
sary Steward Robert thinner, whose
folks live in Newark, N. j.; First Glass
Quartermaster W. w. Waidilich. of
Omaha. Neb.. and the u s. S Panther;
Secord Glass Machinist Mate S. j.
Rro( y, of Ottumwa, Iowa. and First
Glass Electrician w. L. Detwilcr. of
Kansas City. These shuff1ed over and
sat down bit reluctantly with the
big boss of the navy and the equally
awesome admiral of their fleet. And
q moment later they were all laughing
toge; her like members of the same
amily-which they were, the Cabinet
member. the second-class COB. the ad-
mil al and the machinist chief.
There wasn't any menu but the food.
which Mr. Daniels insisted on refer.
"'nc 70 as chow came along in the
same style that prevails at all Astor
functions. and anybody who has ever
spent couple OF thousand years to S.
ing around the North Sea in q small
boat will know how good it tasted
Jocko Dislikes X. of c. Girl
1t was after the second round of ice
cream that Boson's Mate Thomas car
red Jocko up to the gallery to see the
reporters. 1t was there he met Miss
Dalton.
rs he tame?" asked Miss Dalton
HES as gentle as we l-trained
child" the boson's mate assured her.
Several men shook Jocko's limp paw.
Then NJ ss Dalton placed 8 beautifully
head. There was a flash of long white
teeth and smothered scream
The mascot of the mine sweeping
feet had bitten the girl whom General
Pershing kissed.
DR.. Turner. of the Hotel Astor. paint
ed the injured finger with iodine.
bandaged it and told M;ss Dalton there
was no occasion for worry AS for
Jocko, he was carried below to the
sailors, and Bosons Mate Thomas as
he left. was making a solemn promise
that Jocko will not be given a single
banana until the Black Hawk puts to
sea again.
Moving picture photographers re-
f,,J 81
passed the lips of Secretary Dan els
during the meal, special lights having
been provided for the event
After the black coffee. moving pic
lures made by Germans in the North
Sea from the decks of their submarines
showing the sinking of merchantmen
were flashed on screen, and after
that Mr.. Daniels made short speech
IN which he won the widest sort of
app. ause by saying:
Now about going home. Admiral
Strauss Is going, TO let you go just as
soon as it possibly can be arranged
and if he doesn't, why, telegraph me"
In kirkwar7, the small Scotch sea-
coast town from which the mine force
operated. the amusement possibilities
were all centered in battered old
Piano In the Astor ballroom yester-
day all the Broadway stars that Gene
Buck could persuade were there to en-
tertain the mine-sweeping boys.
Johnny Dooley. his wife, Emmett Cor
rigan, Lieutenant Gitx Rice, and a host
Of others, so when the last one had
finished his turn" it was time for the
walters to set the table for the dinner
for the officers of the feet and time
for the men to find the tickets that had
been provided for them for half a
dozen OF the best shows playing in
New York theaters.