New-York tribune., 1921-11-24

fFon Thc TTS0uAe'S WuShin0tow Burcou
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.--Thanks-
giving Day marks the first respite in
the lahors of the delegations assembled
in Washington. Certain matters will
continue under informal discussion,
but every one is delighted to play
hooky for day.
The momentum of the conference
has slackened but little since it
started, and those of high and low de-
gree are working long hours. Despite
the limitation on social activities and
the scrapping of calling cards, the
average day of the average member of
delegation is from a. m. till mid
night.
The American officials in charge Of
receiving the foreign delegations had
their hands full for several weeks, and
are now resting up awaiting the mass
departure when the conference is over,
AS matter of fact, the reception ar
rangements went off without a hitch,
never member of party getting lost
nor handbag going astray nor an
expert left behind. The task was not
an easy one, as even political factors
had to be considered so as not to dis
turb the sense of Importance of the
various delegations.
One of the most remarkable pieces
of transportation ever effected in New
York took place when the second Brit
lsh party arrived on the Aquitania on
November II. Within twenty minutes
after the ship had docked every mem
Der of the delegation and every piece
OF baggage was on the special train at
the Penn syIvania Station ready to pull
out. This was done in cooperation
with the New York City authorities,
the delegates and trucks for their bag
gage, and motorcycle policemen to
lead the way. The special train then
made the run to Washington in a little
under four hours, so that within five
hours of their landing in New York
the members of the party were in their
quarters in Washington, ready for
we'll earned nights rest.
On another occasion almost as good
time was made across the city, but as
the train was about to pull out of the
Pennsylvania Station it was discovered
that a most important dispatch case
was missing. A rapid search disclosed
the fact that this case had been eh-
trusted to a marine on the dock, with
orders to guard it most carefully and
to wait there until the man who had
given it should reclaim it.
So some one called up the pier, and
sent word to the marine to bring the
case to the station at once. The
marine replied that his orders were to
stay on the dock, and on the dock he'd
stay. The owner of the case then spoke.
He received the same answer. "Orders
are ORDERS" said the marine. So,
while the special train waited, partly
irate, partly amused British secretary
had to climb into an automobile with
an American officer and go back to the
pier, where he found the marine still
sitting on the case. The marine then
surrendered.
While the Japanese delegation was
crossing the continent on its way to
Washington their special train stopped
to water at Gopher Prairie, Neh.
The train was travelling on fast
schedule and pulled out as soon as
the tank was full. AT the next station
it was tagged, and the conductor re-
ceived telegram from the Gopher
Prairie operator reading: Japanese
left behind. Shall we forward him 2"
A quick glance at the timetable
showed that trans-continentall limited