Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-06-29
Million Dollar Joy-Ride.

took place as scheduled. According TO
newspaper reports, ex-Chairman Lasker,
In charge of the junket, remained in hid
ing until the three-mile limit was passed for
fear of an injunction. OF the 800 invited
guests only Sls. according to press reports,
went along. Ofthese large number we're
newspaper reporters. special writer's, car
toonlsts and film men. Only partial list
OF the guests has been published, but in
that list are number of prominent ad-
vertisers.
This "joy-ride" has been camoufiaeed
under the name Of trial trip" The
vessel had trial trip from Newport News
10 Boston, and this second trial trip was
deemed by many to be unnecessary and
only delayed putting the great liner into
commission at the most profitable season
OF the year. 1t seems now that only
Congressional investigation can reveal
whether or not this junketine trip was
necessary OR desirable; the amount it cost,
ana whether or not a Republican official
is JUSTIFIED 10 using the appropriations for
MS bureau to entertain personal friends
upon government vessels.
Lasker's Million Dollar Joy-Ride" has
been critized by Chairman Hull. of the
Democratic National Committee. and by
the leading newspapers of both parties
and to these criticisms is attributed the
reduction in the number Of guests to about
5o per cent OF those invited. Mr.. Lasker
replied to these criticisms, alleging that
the additional expense for the entertain
ment OF his guests would be only $l3 900.
NO better analysis of Mr.. Lasker's reply
has been made than that in an editorial
in the Ohio State Journal, the LEADING Re-
publican newspaper in the capital of Presi
dent Hardne's own State. The Ohio State
Journal says:
Mr.. Lasker. poor man, fails to see that
the just objection to his contemplated ex.
cursion is founded on principle, not on
politics. Assuming that the trip is neces-
sary. he says that the additional expense
occasioned by having his guests aboard
will amount to only about $4,000. In
other words, 1t is all right for a public
Official to misuse the tax money for his
own pleasure or profit, If he misuses only
a little of it.
"Mr. Lasker might better have said moth
ing in reply to the scorings which he has
received from almost every hieh-minded
newspaper in the country. His explana-
ton only shows him unable to understand
why he is in the wrong. and that is rather
pitiful. A fine, discriminating sense of
honor and Of the general fitness of things
in the administration of his trust ought to
be the distinguishing attribute Of every
man In public life. But how many of them
lack 1t How many Laskers there are r.
Mr. Laskers retirement from the Shipping
Board was marked by dinner rendered to
him by the board at which the President
OF the United States and about dozen
yucs's were present Chalunan l.asker
went out Of ONCE In most iuxntioas en-
viFonment A description q the soens. as
reported in the daily press. is worth no
duction
When the eufsts stepped from .se. Ne.
fc'''sa sss'ese'~ess 6,flbal
'ose ''''''sr 5ordeFed WIN -r4-!s til led
-!..o a reception room, the walls of which
were hidden by latticework intertwincd
with quantities of pink rambler roses.
Banked about the walls we're palms. ferns,
and hydrangeas in great abundance.
THE chandeliers were hidden under ar
raneements of rambler roses and other
flowers, while in the center of the room
was huge earthen jar filed with Ameri
can Beauty roses. Banked about the bot
tom OF the jar were fer s and hydranReas.
THE table was spread in the adjoining
room. which was converted into a rose
garden, with the walls and ceilings en-
tirely hidden by lattice covered with pink
rambler roses. Directly over the table
hung blooming wistaria The corners we're
banked with cedars. palms and ferns
amidst hydrangeas, while soft moss GOV.
cred the floor.
"All around the table was a forma
flower garden with blooming hydraneeas
peonies, and other early summer flower.
and ferns. while an electric fountain play
ed in one corner of the garden.
Tiny amber and blue lights twinklec
through the rose canopy overhead. givinl
the effect of a star-lit sky.
THE table itself was one solid mass
from the center to the handsome Dime
plates. of pink roses and pond lilies.
Fitting about were servants CARRIED IL
quaint colonial costumes of white silk ant
lace frills and silk stockings. all mad
especially for the party"