Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-18
HARDING AND
COOLIDGE GUESTS
OF GRIDIRON CLUB

Washington, April 16-The Grid
iron Club of Washington correspon-
dents, at its spring dinner recently
had as guests President Harding and
Vice President Coolidge. all members
of the Cabinet, members of both
Houses of Congress, the diplomatic
corps, officers of the army and navy
and many national figures from civil
life. t
The evenings fun, as usual, center
ed about politics and the departure
of the old administration and the in
auguration of the new furnished the
material.
The guests entered the room
through an ante chamber which had
been converted into scece reminis-
cent of the Florida trip of the Presi-
dent
Disturbances started with the be-
ginning of the dinner. No sooner
were the guests seated than the
tramping of heavy feet and the rat
Ting of dinner pals was heard out
side the room.
The presiding officer demanded an
explanation.
That dismal sound, Mr.. Presi-
dent" came the answer. sis the
Democrats going to work"
An early feature was the Inaugural
ton with Simplicity and economy
of N. o. Messenger of the Washing
ton Evening Star, as president of the
Gridiron Club.
How much did that inauguration
cost%' was demanded
"S-S-S-sh- H." was the reply.
Thirty cents, but don't tell Senator
Borah."
During the evening, the dinner was
interrupted by the sound of a steam
boat whistle and the ringing of en-
gine-room bells, outside the dining
room.
What's all this racket about?"
Senator Freiinghuysen's yacht,
Victoria, with the President ELECT on
board, is stuck in the mud again.
was the reply.
In tripped a party, including Skip
per Frelinghuysen, Secretary George
Christian, William Jennings Bryan
and General Dawes, who made some
characteristic remarks
The general explained that he was
just from Washington, where he had
left those blithering idiots who were
investigating war expenditures"
They say you swore something
awful and your testiomny had to be
censored" somebody remarked.
Not a damn bit of it," said the
general. Il might have cussed a lit
tie, but l held my temper. A mans
got to cuss or cry, and l didn't cry.
At one stage of the dinner. a num-
Der of distinguished guests were
called to their feet as comprising the
country's BEST Minds" while human
"amplifiers" standing behind them,
projected their real thoughts" to the
audience. One group thus called to
its feet and pointed out as links in a
continental business chain, were Will
liam H. Remick, president of the
New York Stock Exchange: Joseph
p. Griffin, president of the Chicago
Board of Trade and Robert S. Boyne.
president of Seattle Chamber of
Commerce.
Having established our fairness
by giving these master minds a
haring," it was announced, I'VE now
present our predetermined program,
which the administration will at once
mako effective"
The program included several con-
stitutional amendments. the last be-
ing one "abolishing all taxation nd
providing for the collection of rev.
enue to carry on the government by
means Of national Tag day. under the
direction of Herbert Hoover"
A dilapidated individual. wearing an
old bath robe. sandals, Whiskers, a
battered plug hat, and carrying a
lantern, forced himself into the din
ing room and INTRODUCED himself as
Diogenes. He asserted that his job
was finished and that he had found
an honest man.
Just outside. that there curtain
(ponting) l met one Of President
Harding's Cabinet. I slapped him on
the back-he's the kind who stands for
it--and asked him-'How's the new
job Fe looked all around and then
whispered in my ear: Say, DiOg, old
scout, don't know d thing about it
so far There's an honest man for
you. He set me back for a minute,
but then l whispered: Mr.. Secreta-
ry, believe me, you are only starting
in where the last Cabinet left off,
A little later, silk hated gentle
man, carrying a portfolio of papers,
was discovered rushing violently
across the diningroom, only to retrace
his steps in the same hurried fash
ion. After several trips. he turned
out to he Vice President Coolidge.
HE says" reported Club officer,
that he Is doing his best to keep his
engagements between the Cabinet
room and the Senate"
Among the other guests we're the
following: Gov. Morrow Of Ken
lucky. Secretary Christian, Unred-
Secretary Fletcher. Cuno H. Ran
dolph. commissioner of the District
of Columbia, Gov. William C. Sproul
OF Pennsylvania, Gen. John, J. Per-
shing. Major General Lejeune, Rob-
crt w. Bingham. Louisville, KY;
Harry c. Booth, Detroit, Mich; Cy-
rus Fl. X. Black. Baltimore, Md;
George G. Curtis, Philadelphia;
Charles P. Hasbrook, Richmond, Va;
Ogden Reid. New York; Joseph Pull
itzer, New York; Howard Elliott, St.
Paul, Mimi; Alfred H.. Smith, Pres
;dent, New York; F. D. Underwood,
New York: Daniel Willard, Balti-
more, and Philip S. Dodge. Martin
nnL
d. Hilles, all of New York.