Evening star., 1929-11-15

To this observer has just come re-
puted bit of unrecorded history narrat-
ing how an unextended dinner invita-
ton cost a great American reelection
to the presidency. When Grover Cleve-
land was a candidate to succeed himself
in 1888, his Secretary Of the Treasury
anG campaign manager, Dan" Man
ming, told him that success was impos-
sible with Charles A. Dana and the
New York Sun arrayed against the ad-
ministration. Manning proposed to
Cleveland that the olive branch be Of
fered to Dana In the form of an invita-
ton to dine at the White House and
spend the ensuing night there. The
President aSsented. Manning went to
New York, saw Dana, told him Of Cleve-
lands desire to bury the hatchet, and
asked the editor II he would accept the
Presidents hospitality in washington.
II
Dana voiced his readiness to meet
Cleveland and canvass the situation
which had so bitterly estranged them.
Manning then assured the master OF the
Sun that the bid from the White House
would come along in due course. The
Secretary of the Treasury came back TO
washington overjoyed by the success of
his diplomatic mission, and reported 10
Cleveland in correspondingly high tettle
Days, a week, 10 days, fortnight went
by, but Danna heard no more from the
President 1t dawned upon him, or at
least he so persuaded himself, that
Cleveland had reneged and that Dana
had been tricked into truce. Without
further ado, the Sun thereupon blaZed
out in scathing editorial about the
Cleveland administration. 1t was sig
nal that the Suns rays would continue
to blister it. And so it did. New York
was the pivotal State. Had the Demo
Gratis carried it Cleveland would nave
been reelected. But In 1888 there was
a Republican majority of $4,000, instead
of a Democratic majority OF 1,2OO as IN
1884. Contemporary political observers
long insisted that Dana and the Sun
turned lust enough votes TO Harrison 10
carry the Empire State into the Repub-
lican electoral column.
y 4 4
For about a week now President
Hoover has had on his desk the general
staff's report on possible economies IN
the United States Army. Its nature, OF
course, remains an official secret. The
fact-finding survey was ordered by the
ommander-in-C Chief last Summer. At
the time, it sent cold chillS down the
spines of many military leaders, who
had visions of wholesale cuts in the
Army establishment. There was per-
turbation, especially in the Cavalry and
the Coast Guard Artillery. While await
ing the Presidents action on Whatever
recommendations the general staff has
made. both the soldiers and the sailors
are taking heart of grace from Hoover's
ringing utterances on national defense
in his Armistice day speech. They de-
clare 1t has definitely planted a depth
charge under pacifist hopes that the
| first Quaker President Is a peace-at-
any-price man.
Here's a true story. A high official
of the Interior Department answered
personally the door-bell ring at his
apartment one evening this week.
| Standing outside as he half opened the
door. he saw a woman, rather rakiShly
attired, because the night was misty
and damp, with big bundle OF flowers
| in her arms He did not recognize her,
and, thinking it was a person who oc-
casionally turns up in the apartment
night" and closed the door in her face.
The caller dumped the posies on the
door mat and departed. On returning
| to the dinner table. and when friend
wife asked who'd rung the bell, he
calculated, "Oh, just one of those tire
some flower sellersl" Later. when the
flowers were found outside the door, 1t
dawned on him that it might not have
been a peddler after all. He telephoned
half a dozen suspects, and finally To-
Gated one of the best friends of the
| family. Shed been in the country all
day and brought the IS bundle of
cut field flowers from her place op the
Rockville pike. Next day a flve-pound
box of candy was sent in penance.
1 y y
Nelson T. johnson, Just appointed
American Minister TO China. ranks with