Norwich bulletin., 1921-05-24
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Special to The Bulletin)

 who is famous for many things, and es- | pecially notable as the author of Amer ica's Creed, gave an address on Con necticut in Congress" reviewing the l splendid work of distinguished members | of congress from the Nutmeg state. | Dancing and refreshments were included | in the program. Henry c, Camp is pres ident of the society with Mrs. G. S. Strong vice president.
 And it was a reference to Platt Park in l the state of Oklahoma, now a government reservation, that drew the first fire from the only woman in congress, Miss Alice Robertson of Oklahoma, and a most de- voted admtrer of the statesmanship and benevolence of Connecticut,s famous senator in whose honor the park was named It WAS Miss Alee's maiden speech--it was short--it was to the point and 1t took Floor Leader Menden 'all of sudden" right in the midst to a very sarcastic allusion to the park and Oklahoma. It came about this way. MT Mondell was preaching economy and made some sighting reference to the beauty and utility of Platt park, when Miss Alice rose from her seat in the rear of the chamber and with head erect and sparkling eyes stepped to the main aisle in which Mir Mondell stood facing Speak CT Gillett-"Will the gentleman yield?" piped Miss Alice who had approached un- observed-Yes, the gentlman would glad ly yield-then the fun began.
 Do you know for whom that park was named?" she gently queried. Mo- the republican floor leader did not know. Does the gentleman kTfow who was one of the best friends. if not the very best friend the Indians of Oklahoma ever had continued Miss Alice, with her sharp eyes fixed on the gentleman from Wyoming, who bowed with deferenee and replied he thought Miss Alice was the best. "Oh no," said the grey haired lady from Oklahoma, ''I speak of former Senator Platt of Connecticut, and we felt it is far more than q local interest that | Senator Platt should be thus henered. If we had what we thought was fitting for him we should have something far | better and far ntbler for he was the | friend of all who needed help, not only in the United States, among the Indians, but he gave his life, practically for the | Cubans." Miss RobertsoRs voice showed considerable feeling as she added, "We l felt there should be A wonderful monu- | ment to Senator Platt, our friend. and | 1t has been to me a dear ambition that I might help in making this one more worthy" MT. MondelPs reply that he, 1 too, loved and revered the memory of Senator Platt, was lost in the round of applause that greeted Miss Alce's little maiden speech. And it's pretty safe to | guess that Platt Park out in Oklahoma, where Miss Alice was born and reared as the daughter of an Indian missionary, won't be interested with while she is a member of congress. The dignity and | charm of manner with which she grilled | Mir Monde1l and lauded the Connecticut | senator in the same breath was without offence and won for her many friends and supporters.
 When the presidential yacht, The May flower, approached Nit. Vernon, the ships bell tolled, the paddles stepped turning and the beautiful boat drifted with the current of the Potomac Officers and sailors stood at attention, facing the shore; the two hundred congressional guests uncovered ard absolute silence
 prevailed. Even the convoy of hydro planes rose to a height that made their
 loud burning seem only a faint echo
 Then bugler stepped to the front of the } bridge and sounded taps, as the big boa
 dFifted slowly past the white pillared mansion where Washington lived ant died. Next, the Mayhewer band played
 the Star Spangled Banner, and at its las
 note the mansion was left astern thu
 great white yacht and the customary of ' fciad tribute had been paid. It was tremendously impressive ceremony
 l To be sure one or two guests, whes = ears were not attunsd to music clap l ped back their hats when the band struel a up, thinking the ceremony was over, bu
 quickly discovered their error and tool
 them off 'Rgain, looking decidedly sheep
 ish.
 This happened the day Secretary o I AE.z s his guests at an official inspection of tn t U. S. Marine Camp at Quantico, Virginis . about 45 miles down the Potomac fror . Washington. Here are now stationed ap a preximately 4,500 marines most of wher |. saw oversee service during the war. It was 2 wonderful trip from the tim ! l the Mayfiower left her dock at the nav , yard at S.05 m. till she made her rt turn landing at midnight. And that fiv 0 minutes after the hour didn't save tn ,. day and give Secretary Denby the salut ,. of g guns usually fired when the secretar l. boards the yacht He came on board . l. 7.55, the only forrnality being the lon q line of officers and men who stood at al . tention as he came up the gangplank.
 It is a naval rme that no salute sha , 1 be fired until after the coiors are raise a at il the morning or after tA ey ar
 
 seemed more than satisfied to have th g formality omitted. It took g. little mo1 = than two hours for the Mayhower il make the trip to the camp. Then th - entire party climbed into waiting arm s trucks, and was driven to the reviewin V ground, where 4,500 marines marche
 by the secretary of the navy, who stoo
 on the grass at attention all the tim
 except when the colors passed, then | e uncovered, as did all others
 VT Miss Robertson the only women eongress-was of course a guest, and b a the courtesy of the secretary of tf
 navy the only woman member of il
 senate press gallery was included. Otl IS erwise it was a stag party. So when u y eolors passed the secretary In revieV ,- Miss Alice, who is quite accustomed
 camp life, reviews and the like, quick
 pulled out the pin that held her sna
 black hat in place, and stood uncovere .S as did her colleagues. After the revie IS the bugler gave what the men describe l. as the "chow-call," and the entire con
 pany went to the mess halls and we,
 served 2 regular camp dinner off of ba1 E. tables sitting on wooden benches The Le was plenty of excellent food, everyboc .t spearing a big piece of roast beef vii his own fork. enameled war plates. t
 cups plenty of cap baked bread gree
 peas and potatoes over which everyboc Il poured a remarkable quantity of S III called camp gravy, which consisted d the ordinary roast beef gravy in whi<
 carrots, onions and turnips had been e
 up and cooked, made up the table flu ii nishings and the food. And these sem |, tors and members of congress who r .a side in big hotels or kesP up establis ments of their own. sfhacked their If
 and called loudly for second helping