The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-10
REGENT ELECTION FURNISHES FUN AT .GR|DIR0N D|NNE R
Washington Newspaper Club Jokes at Expense of Ma tion's NotabIes-Third
 Party Skit Is Feature
By Associated Pres.

Washington, December s.--The re- cent elections and the suggested orr ganization of third political party gave members of the Gridiron club humor and satire in abundance to- night at their annual banquet.
 The December frolic of the club. which is composed largely of Washington newspaper men. enter tained President Harding, members of the cabinet and of the diplomatic corps, other government officials and business men and publishers from all sections Of the country.
 The numerous picketinss which have become common in this city since women suffragisfs paraded be- fore the White House. made the basls for the greeting to the assembling guests. Club members dressed in Italian fascisti costumes met them at the doors with appropriate ban- ners. One, typical of the group, bore the question:
 .iMr. President, are you with us or against us? The hour has come.p
 Third Party Featured
 The third party skit was the fea- ture of the dinner Around large kettle three members dressed as witches and representing Senators Borah, LaFoIlette and Johnson. con- cocted a devils brew, Borah reciting; Round about the cauldron go. In new party issue throw, Knocks of every known condition, Russian soviet recognition. Blocs ths standpat goat hath got, Boil thou first in the charmed pot"
 Bevcrsdge Uncertain
 All the witches insisted the new brew should not only have kick but should be composed of kicks. This led Borab to soliloquize on the question whether 1t were better to stay within the party and swat the ministration, thereby affording tho democrats much glee, or be new party man in name as well as in deed. Senator Beyeridge then an nounced his willingness to join, ex- blaming:
 "Twice have I switched, each time
 in turn rejected,
 T seek some haven now where can
 be elected
 The act closed with Henry Fora feeding the fire with greenbacks and with farmer and a banker a.- tempting to stir up the brew to- gether, whereupon there was an ex- plosion and the party broke up with the organizers blaming everybody and shaking their fists in each ctbers faces.
 Issues stiu Alive
 Four men wrapped in sheets ap- peared as the ghosts of "normslcy'. reduced taxation flower cost or living" and the international court; but when they were unveiled the is- sues were shown to be still alive
 Good music featured the dinner win several parodies. one of which. entitled Sailing, sailing. over shs three mile iine," described the troubles of rum ships. A musical skit, "The Gridiron Follies Of lsz2. was the central point
 Finally member remarked that President Harding had number ol problems on his mind.
 Take the next Congress for in- stance, I wonder what the President will do with it?''
 Harding Speaks
 'I have a better conundrum than that. What will 1t do to him!'
 In the finale the President was asked a number of questions in a song ending:
 And now just query in Gridiron
 vein
 What will the President do2 Will he say he declines or will he
 run again?
 What will the President dor
 This was the introduction to the Presidents address. A part of the program yearly. but as Mir. Harding was told he did not have to answer the questions,.and as 1t is Grfdiron rule that neither his address nor those of other speakers are reported. his answers remain secret. Other sneakers included: Justice Sutherland of the United States supreme cour.; former Vice President Marshall, Sen ator Borah, and Uncle Joe" Cannon. Az the dinner was the last public entertainment in the national cap ital at which Uncle Joe" will appeat, ke was rresented with a bronze grid h on As memento of the occasion.