Evening star., 1935-04-14
Roosevelt Breaks Precedent
To Act in Cridir0n Dinner Skit
Half a Century of Political History
Crosses Stage as Club Observes
Golden Anniversary.
CONTINUED From First Page)

Continued From First PageD
chaos always has been just around
the corner. But somehow the coun-
try has survived not only these ma
tional administrations. but 127 other
Gridiron dinners. You are taking
your own chances on this one-we
mean this Gridiron dinner"
Security-For Tonight.
I'VE have a program. We guar
antee you social security-for tonight
We propose to get you out OF the
doldrums and give you the works
not too public or too painful, however
We tender you pure food and drink
and, if you are under an old-age
tension, we'll share a health or two
with you. For a few hours we'll take
you back to our own golden jubilee
standard"
The skits included formal open
ing of the Frank J. Hogan room IN
the new Mellon National Art Gallery
A member who might have been the
Washington lawyers double asked his
butler if every one had paid his fee
When assured that this had beer
done. he said:
From the unselfsh depths of my
heart I want you good people to
share the pleasure have had in col
lecting these works of the masters
In all of this I have played most
humble role know nothing about
art; I am only collector.
THE man who has made possible
this magnificent temple of art, gen.
tlemen of the jury mean, just gen.
tlemen-is none other than Andrew
w. Mellon, the greatest Secretary of
the treasury have ever defended.
Millions Are Shaved.
ST wish that could picture to
you the patient effort of this great
man to bring art to the plain people
he loves. The long nights he spent
with pencil and paper, shaving off
a million dollars here, diverting a
million there. Arranging to sell these
securities at loss and buy them
back at still lower figures. The inti-
mate family councils with his loyal
children. Don't worry. father, I'll
take another five million off your
hands. The tax collectors shall not
have it. Even the faithful old serv-
ants, running to the bank-one to
sell the securities, the other to buy
them back The world little knows
his sacrifices. In fact, he doesn't
even know himself.
II have called this portrait AN un-
finished picture You understand, we
haven't heard from the Supreme
Court"
Nor collected the fee" interrupted
the butler.
Mr.. Hogan also displayed a pic
ture of Albert B. Fall, former Sec
retary of the Interior, labeled "A Por-
trait of q Pioneer" and one of Rob-
ert w. Stewart called "A Portrait
in OH" The masterpiece, however.
was one called This Poor Old Man"
o portrait of Edward L. Doheny.
Contrast Offered.
The birth of the club at Welcker's S
In 1885 was in striking contrast to
tonight's dinner with 400 guests.
Lets organize against the poll
ticians," one charter member said.
That's the purpose of this meet
ing. The question is what form shall
this organization take" replied an
other.
What about an American News
paper Guild?"
well, I don't care for that word
guild" a third observed. IT'S too
old-fashioned."
Newspaper work is profession
and its rewards are invisible" de-
cIared another member.
ITS known as freedom of the
press" a cynical member agreed.
That's the idea" declared the
first member. Lets be free for once
Let's get together just for fun"
Presidents Parade.
The fun continued and after sew
eral rounds of beer one member de.
clared that he could foresee the day
when a President of the United States
might attend one of the dinners. Then
followed a parade of Presidents, dip.
]omats. Governors and other dis.
tinguished guests.
A duet sung, presumably by Secre-
JdIY soWd1lSOI1 Va OklC &NaFy eAA4N SoA@
troiler McCarl to the rollicking tune
of "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" follows
In part:
McCarl-
Who's that knocking at my door?
And what are you knocking for?
Please don't do it any more,
Said the proud Controller.
Swanson
Why, this is me from over the sea,
Said Barnacle Claude the Sailor;
I'm sore as hell and I ought to be
Said Barnacle Claude the Sailor.
The Navy sends its men to roam
When they retire across the foam
You've got to pay their passage home
Said Barnacle Claude the Sailor.
McCarl-
Well, if things are as you say,
Perhaps we can find a way;
How about P. w. A.?
Said the proud Controller.
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