Evening star., 1923-12-19
TALKS and TALES
With and About
CAPITALS GUESTS

city losing a heretofore SiA-inonli
claim on one of the most highly
esteemed citizens in these parts. For.
since the perfection of vehicular traf-
tie. former Senator Blair Lee of
Maryland has found travel so con=
venient that he lives the entire year
at his beautiful estate out in Silver
Spring.
Despite the fact that the automo-
bile has persuaded me to live the year
round at the old home in which was
born said the lawyer, in an appear
for the National Cathedral FUND pc
fore members of the Civitan Club at
the Hotel La Fayette. Il know ana
love this city as do few of its resi-
dents. 1t was in this immediate
eighborhood-yes right around In
Farragut Square-that as boy l
played strongback Billy, duck on
Davy, and dear old base ball. with
tin cans and Army canteens used for
the bases"
Admitting that at first he was op-
posed to the erection of the huge
edifice because of his belief that the
Ear. Eye and Throat Hospital should
be greatly elaborated upon, the for
ner legislator explained how ne was
forced to change his views regarding
the proposed cathedral. and made an
ardent plea to his auditors for their
support in the movement.
THE world war proved to me that
rhe foundation OF religions must be
strengthened" said Senator Lee; that
the animosities of peoples had been
carried too far; that the conceptions
of men must be broadened. Convinced
of this truth, | realized that such a
cathedral as that now being erected
would represent breadth of religious
views-personal service. as 1t were,
expressed in a great thing. When
completed this wonderful structure
will stand as a silent sentinel. land
mark in our great National capital.
expressing the power of religion;
After paying tribute to Bishop
Freeman. whose great breadth and
vision. be said, was equaled only
by his capacity to do things, senator
Lee detailed the workings of church
unity movement now being carried
out in the old armory at Silver
Silver Spring, where those OF all de-
nominations. Catholic. Jew and Prot
estant, gather at different intervals
to hear the word of God"
ut is a wonderful armory. that OF
ours out there" said the Marylander
in conclusion within its walls SOL
ders have been mustered to fight
their country's battles, prize tights
now religious services are being con-
ducted.'
J: !:
On leaving the meeting who should
he encountered by the Mixer but
Claude Miller, for many years located
here In the automobile business. now
identified with the United States
China Steamship Company. with Off
tes in New York.
Mr. Miller stopped over on his way
10 his farm down at Lorton, Va.
where he will spend his Christmas,
and when asked about conditions up
in the big 'sburg" said everything was
quiet. and would probably remain so
for six months.
There is a wave of conservatism
sweeping Manhattan at present., he
added. THE Presidents message was
we'll received. and the opinion seems
to be that if carried out to the let.
ter business will be eatly benefited.
Z !: :: x
A brisk walk around to the Hotel
Shoreham was made in time to catch
Joseph O'Brien. noted criminal law
yer of Scranton. Pa. as he was hurry
ing to Union station.
MT. O'Brien is the possessor Of one
OF those deceptive personalities which
entices an interviewer on-only to
make him feel foolish later. For in
stance:
"How do folks In your section take
to President Coolidge, Mr.. O'Brien?"
Every we'll"
and Senator Johnson
"They like him. too"
"And Gov. Pinchot?"
Extremely well thought OF"
Befuddled by the bland expression
on the face of the cross-examined and
conscious of being regarded an out
and-out dumbell, mighty brace was
taken and this question put: Mr..
O'Brien, what does Scranton think of
Mr. McAdOO'S chanceS|
"McAdoo." cried the until then
placid attorney. "McAdoo! Why, man.
Scranton is in Pennsylvania. Do you
know anything about Pennsylvania?
Have you ever been to Scranton-
but before he could say any more the
taxi driver beckoned and Mr.. OBrien
was off.
Determined to find out more about
Scranton, trip was made down to
the Hotel Washington. where Valen-
tine Heckler, we'll known Chicago
lawyer, was relating to Roger Creel
Of the Washington staff his expert
ences in the recent wreck Of the
Twentieth Century flyer on the New
York Central railroad, when poor
wild Bill" Donovan and eight others
went to their death.
II was in the sleeper immediately
behind the engine that ploughed into
the rear car of the section ahead"
said MIR. Heckler, and was sitting up
at the time. The shock was great,
hut little or no disorder followed The
porters Of the road certainly deserve
credit for their behavior through
out"
The attorney then drew diagram
showing how the car in which All
snatched from the track as IL by a
gaunt hand and placed end upward
on the roadbed adjoining, permitting
room for the engine and another car
to move up in it's place.
Mr.. Heckler reported conditions in
the Windy city as prosperous "as al
ways and said that aside from GER
tain references to entrance into some
kind or world court, most of those
he came in contact with were highly
pleased with the Presidents message
There are many in the middle west
who positively refuse to sanction any
arrangements with Europe. no mat
ter under what name they are caIIad
and, to be perfectly frank, T feel the
same way. .Ae
II have listened attentively TO all
arguments favoring such relations.
from IRON, the league OF nations to the
divorced world court, and have vet
10 have it explained how the man
dates of such tribunal are to be car
fled out should the nation affected
refuse to abide by its findings. There
is but one way to enforce them
war; and the lawyer walked away.
X x X
And speaking of Donovan recalls a
story Fred Clarke. the old Pittsburgher.
told the writer when at the Raleigh not
long ago. about wild Bill' and him
self, and an experience they had with
certain National League "wets."
bill never drank" said Fred, land
while l had tasted liquor, being a
Kansas farmer, / seldom used 1t. En-