The Washington herald., 1921-04-10
Dignity Is Forgotten as
Regulations Sizzle
Over Verbal Grill.
POOR MISTER BRYAN
JOKED ABOUT AGAIN
Serious Situations Arise
as Some Try to Cash
Checks on Past Fame

70 Although .Grlolroh NNO
are always notable for the large
number of famous men assembled
as guests, last nights dinner given
by this organization Of Washing
ton correspondents went beyond the
ordinary. Not in years have SO
many Of the great leaders OF Amer
sea. drawn from public life, finance
TRANSPORTATION. industry. commerce
and literary pursuits, been brought
together.
The principal guest, of course
was President Harding, but the hst
included ten members of the ne"
Cabinet, the Vice President the
Speaker of the House, a brilliant
representation of the Diplomatic
Corps, justices of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, the not
able figures Of Senate and House
the General of the army. the Major
General Commandant OF the Marine
Corps, eminent naval officers, the
executives of the great railway
systems of the country, bankers
editors and business men from all
parts of the United States
Speeches Renain Sacred.
In accordance with tradition. the
speeches of the evening made oy
the distinguished guests could not
be reported.
The dinner was given in the ball
I'd
a setting of lavish floral decora-
tions BY Small. The massive il
Illuminated gridiron on the wall be-
hind and above the seat of the
President was set in panel OF
American beauty roses, while di-
rectly in front of the club presi-
dent and of President Harding. who
sat at his right. was a bank OF
orchids
The guests entered the room
through an anse-chamber which
had been converted into scene
reminiscent of the Florida trip OF
the President.
Disturbances started with the
very beginning of the dinner. Nc
sooner were the guests seated than
the tramping of heavy feet and the
rattIing of dinner pals was heard
outside the room. Move along
there. Hurry up" shouted a voice
followed by another which declared
Your loafing days are over. NC
swivel chair goes with this job"
Get that pick handle out of my
eye" shouted another voice, while
still another warned some one tC
Keep that shovel of my toes"
Tie presiding officer demanded
an explanation.
That dismal sound. Mr.. Presi'
dent" came the answer. is the
Democrats going to work"
Economy Greets Messenger.
An impressive feature was tn,
inauguration. with simplicity anC
economy" of y. o. Messenger, oi
the Washington Evening Star, al
president of the Gridiron Club. The
Inauguration committee, attended
by a presumptive chief justice anC
clerk of the Supreme Court, ap-
peared and conducted the inaugu
raj ceremonies in pantomime tC
the accompaniment of emphatic
bushes" to preserve silence. A
group of sobbing citizens of Wash
ington viewed the ceremony from
the side lines.
what is going on up there, any
howT shouted a member from tn,
end of the room. We can't hear I
word"
"S-s-s-h-h-h" replied a membe
Of the committee. I'VE have jus
inaugurated Mr.. Messenger as pres
ident of the Gridiron Club"
How much did that inaugura
tion costF'
"S-s-s-h-h-h." was the reply
Thirty cents. but don't tell Sena
tor Borah."
What is that bunch cryin;
about?" asked another member.
That" was the reply. "is a com
mittee of leading Washington bust
ness men. They are not crying
They are trying to give thre,
cheers for a simple and economics
Inauguration"
View Members Quizzed.
Carter Field. of the New YorE
Tribune; Jay G. Hayden. of the De.
troit News, and Robert B. Arm
strong. of the Los Angeles Times
were initiated as active member.
of the club, and Arthur B. Pierce
Fred East and ]. F. NJ. Bowie wer.
initiated as associate members, dur.
g.
NIT to a rigid cross-examination a.
to their qualifications, in which II
appeared that each aspired to be .
member of President Messenger
cabinet.
rs Hiram Johnson backing your
waS asked of Mr. Armstrong.
NO" was the reply. johnson 4,
against me. That Is one of m,
best recommendations"
Asked why he wanted to be Sec.
retary Of State in the Messengel
administration. Mr.. Armstrong said
More junkets abroad and fewer
dry dinners at home"
Have you any qualifications fol
the job?'
AT least one" said Mr.. Arm.
strong II can't get elected to any.
thing"
Yes" said the chairman, It know
That's the rule"
Says Il Can't he Done.
Mr.. Field aspired to be Postmas.
ter General. Asked IL he could i'm.
prove the mail service. he answered
"I don't see how / can make A
worse. I can improve the person.
mel"
Mr.. Hayden insisted that he ought
to be Secretary Of Labor.
Il thought all you Michigan peo.
ooNisuED on rAsn ylva
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