The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-06
Frederick Haskin's Letter
especial cor-e<pondne Argus
WASHINGToN's NEW ASPIRATIONS

thousands of people pour into the
White house during the hours when
the state rooms are open TO tbs
public. One guard said that il was
not unusual for 100 or even 200
people to come along Just at clos.
ing 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 numerous delegations
The president and his wife have Ia
learn to minimize fatigue in oh
serving the democratic custom NJ
shaking hands with long lines Of
strangers. Mrs. Harding. for in
stance, uses her left hand when her
right grows weary at state recen-
tons, and all officials learn IN
grasp the callers hand first and IN
pass him on with dexterous sweeD
of the wrist so that the next per-
son in line can move up without
undue delay.
Efficient Handshaking.
The amount of handshaking that
can be, and is, injected into the
simple rite of shaking hands is best
realized when some foreign official
provides a contrast At the army
and navy reception, not long ago.
Marshal Joffre and Madame Joffre
joined the receiving line, along with
the president, Mrs. Harding, and
the secretaries of war and navy
and their wives. The marshal was
clearly pleased with the compH-
ment extended him, but after a lit
tie more than an hour of constant
bowling, smiling and hand wiring
ing, he and Madame Joffre surren-
dered to their WEAKNESS and drop
ped out of the receiving line. The
others in the line still had half the
evenings work ahead of them.
The White house is the mecca OF
delegations to Washington, but
congress and the capitol would put
up a stiff fight in popularity con-
test. 1t is the statesmen and the
historic features of the capitol
which most interest visitors. IN
less some bill of unusual interest
is being debated, five minutes in
the halls of congress are about
enough LOT most VlSlLOTS.
One elderly woman. safely out OF
the breathless gallery atmosphere
of the august senate, remarked that
time was certainly more plentiful
than money with those droning
statesmen. After this commentary
on the senate's speed, the delegate
into a crowded elevator
and audibly planned to get in the
Mount Vernon, Arlington
and the treasury by 6 O'Clock"
Washington sometimes wonders
when conventions find time to con-
vene, so busy are the badge wear
ers with guide-books, street car
connections and hours open to the
public" Up to now, Washington
has had to admit that its inadequate
assembly halls were no attraction
to conventions. The small and
halls about the city
have sometimes failed to expand
enough to accommodate all the
delegates and visitors to an unusu-
ally popular convention
The D. A. R. hall, for instance,
never holds all the Daughters who
would like to attend sessions at
the same time Yet it was the
largest suitable hall available for
the important disarmament con-
ference, and consequently few out
siders were able to gain admission
to any of the historic sessions.
Plans are under way now, how
ever. for an auditorium which will
seat 5000 people. The new audi
forum building is to be thoroughly
modern. Since the willard hotel
ballroom, on the 10th floor. caught
fire the other day. there has been
strong agitation for first floor au-
iitoriums in Washington. The new
assembly hall will be on the first
floor, with an exhibit hall beneath,
partly below grade level. This
building is to be located opposite
he Interior building, three blocks
rom the White house, and ground
will be broken for it next month.
With an adequate convention hall.
believes that nothing
will stand between it and the title
If Americas convention city.