Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-11

OF Convention City is the prophecy of
some old 1nha bitants.N They say that con-
Ventlon meetings in the National Capital
grow in size and number every year.
NO one Keeps an official record of the or
carnations and their delegates that visit
the city, but according to street car con-
ductors, White House guards, and watchmen
IN the Government buildings, this spring is
proving record-breaker for delegations.
Ihere IS no season of the year when Wash
ngton is not entertaining visitors who have
gatnered from the ends of the country to dis
cuss bylaws and election of officers and to
take look at the Government in action
But spring is the most favorable time for
seeing Washington, and therefore spring al
ways brings an unusually large assortment
or convention followers. The Capital with it's
trees bursting into pale green, it's cherry
blossom drive along the tidal basin, and it's
gay flower beds, is at its best. Later Wash
lngton settles down to hot weather-though
the chamber of Commerce never admits it,
and now and then displays impressive
statistics and comparative reports of the
Weather Bureau showing that the Capital
with its 100000 trees, it's 5000 acres of
parks, and its river breeze is not so hot as
it is sometimes represented.
In spite of these encouraging bulletins,
spring continues to be the fashionable con-
vention season in Washington.
Already, this, year, the Daughters of>the
American Revolution and the Daughters Of
1872 have advanced upon Washington with
fluttering badges. The League of American
Penwomen has gathered together it's collec-
ton of literary notables and celebrated it's
twenty-fifth anniversary with book fair
breakfast, carnival ball, and other functions
And with less pomp and ceremony, 1000
oculists and several other scientific groups
have been comforting in odd corners of the
city between banquets and important ses-
sions of sightseeing.
Serious Sightseeing
Sightseeing is a serious business for the
visiting delegate. There is combination ex-
position circus, state fair, and liberal educa-
tion perpetually available in the Government
buildings. There is the cultural benefit to be
derived from hearing the roll CALI in the
Senate and there are great opportunities for
exercise. Anyone walking up the 900 steps
OF the Washington monument has to admit
that there's nothing exactly like it anywhere
either for reducing or for breath control.
Then, too nowhere else are there such
chances Of hobnobbing with the great There
are famous folk on display in other cities
but strangers are distinctly discouraged from
trying to shake hands with them. The presi-
dent and congressman do expect to shake
hands. 1t is part of the job of being a pub
lie official. The American people like it and
demand it. Accordingly, celebrities in Wash
ington can generally be counted on to go
through their stunt Of shaking hands and
registering delight for convention parties
After which, the hand that shook the Presi-
dents or Senator Blanks can write home de-
scribing the emotions of mingIing with the
nations elect.
President Harding is building up reputa-
ton as handshaker. It is estimated that he
shook hands with more than 5000 people
in two weeks around Easter. On several days
he grasped 1000 hands and smiled 1000
times. Other days there was a slump to 400
or 500 visitors, due to the pressure of prest-
Dental business rather than to falling off
in the number of callers at the White House.
Not all of the White House visitors get to
the Presidents office at that. During the
peak of the convention and school vacation
crowds, thousands of people pour into the
White House during the hours when the
state rooms are open to the public. One guard
said that it was not unusual for 100 or even
200 people to come along just at closing
time and explain anXiously that this was
their only chance to see where the President
lived.
The President and Mrs. Harding sturdily
Withstand the strain of greeting the numer-
Gus delegations The President and his wife
have to learn to minimize fatigue in observ-
ing the democratic custom of shaking hands
with long lines of strangers. Mrs. Harding,
for instance, uses her left hand when her
right grows weary at state receptions, and
all officials learn to grasp the callers hand
first and to pass him on with a dexterous
in line can move up without undue delay.
Efficient Handshaking
The amount of efficiency that can be, and
hands is best realized when some foreign of