Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-14
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VIE.

"Oil's Not Well on the Potomac" must
now be running "Abie's Irish Rose"
close for longevity honors as the banner
show OF the century. The five-year -old
petroliferous drama has never played
70 more crowded houses than Il drew
yesterday. The all-Star cast which found
Mellon, Butler and Hays beStriding the
boards during the same performance
attracted more than a standing-room
only audience. As many were in line
outside clamoring for admission as sue
ceeded in wedging In. Senator Walsh of
Montana was in his element as relent-
less crosS-examiner. Washington has
seldom witnessed tenser scene than
when Mellon was weathering the in
qutsitoriai storm Probably the great
est Secretary of the Treasury since AL
exander Hamilton" never survived o
more grueiing experience than his ia
hours siege with 1.-The keenest legal
mind In Congress" Alongside the some
what perturbed chancellor OF the ex-
chequer sat his political protege and
personal legal MISREPRESENTATION David
Aiken Reed OF Pennsylvania. They cut
the figure of father and son--the
younger man intently ready To spring to
the elders defense in tight corner.
But Mellon emerged from the ordeal
without Reeds Intervention.
** 4
In point of eminence, spectators
rivaled the actors In the oil drama on
the Hill. Alice Roosevelt Longworth,
unfailing attendant on the Capitofs
biggest doings. was there, overlooking
no point I'm the forensics. Joe" Tumul-
| ~, Woodrow Wilson's faithful ieuten-
ant seemed 10 be following proceedings
| In pensive contemplation OF the sings
and arrows another administration sur
fered. Former Gov Henry j. Allen oil
Kansas sat in the bald-headed row
where he belongs. Thomas p. Gore,
| former Senator from Oklahoma. heard
what was going on, even II he could
| not see 1t, Women, many the wives
Of Congressman, we're fascinated listen
| ers-in. reacting eagerly To the clectricit
with which the atmosphere was al
ways highly charged. Filters were the
rule when the big men on the grill sue
cumbed 10 lapses OF memory, Uncle
| Andy" Mellon caused mild gale Of
| laughter when he said he took the
s60.0 Sinclair Hays package OF bonds
| home instead of keeping them at the
| Treasury. because II had mislaid the
combination to my ONCE safe"
n
Mrs. William r., Borah Is undoubtedly
| the most democratic Senate lady IN
| the land. Not long ago n new tenant
| a woman, moved into the apartment
house, on wyoming avenue, where the
Borahs maintain their modest mennge
She hadn't been there many days be-
fore she thought she detected strange
odor IN the drinking water, SO she de.
cided TO consult other occupants oil
the building On the floor below lived
Mrs. Borah and the newcomer went q
interview her. though never the twain
had met. A reassuring conversation
having ensued, Mrs, Borah chirped ui
and said: you know, there's silly
rule In Washington that Senators
wives must be called on first. I'm go.
Ing TO consider this call from you'll"
Now that the yarn can't possibly Inn
pede the continued ascent OF his zip
lomatie star. here's what's said To hs
the banner ALEC Moore story" Of thu
many attributed To the new Ambassador
10 Peru while he was stationed at Ma
drid, The Pittsburgh publisher was at
tending a royal polo match, In whlci
King Alfonso was the bright particular
star. Between chukker halves, tht
Yankee envoy, hobnohbing with Al
fonso. exclaimed. Your majesty. 4
y0l'il go 10 America and play In a series
OF polo games I'll personally guarantee
YOU clean million dollars as your shar,
Of the gate repeiptai" The King o
Spain, q fond erony Of Moore's, rej0in,
ed. quick rs fash, Sorry, Mr., Am,
bassador, but I've already been offered
two million In the moviesl"
One Of the innumerable matters nVei
which the House and HenAts are n