Evening star., 1938-01-30
'UNDERTHE Eb|GT0P'
TICKETS SOLD OUT
Board of Trade MidWinter
Dinner Saturday to Be
All Fun, No Talks.
BY JOHN H. CASSIDY.

Looking In the pro2erbial haystack
for the proyerbial needle would be al
most cinch compared with che Job of
finding q ticket for the Board Of
Trades nineteenth annual midwinter
dinner next Saturday night at the
Mayfiower Hotel-even with the price
standing at $3.50 per plate!
This fact gives some idea Of the
growth in popularity of this annual
affair, which, despite the $3.50 fee,
will draw between $50 and 900 men,
including ambassadors, ministers, cab
met officers, Senators and Representa-
tives and other high Government off,
cials.
Two months ago every ticket for this
strictly stag affair was sold, and since
that time the boards administrative
staff has been besieged for tickets, but
they've been forced to turn down the
requests.
Started in 1919.
It was back In 1919 that the mid
winter dinner was originated. It be-
gan as an annual dinner, sponsored by
the Membership Committee, but soon
became so popular that 1t was made a
full board proposition.
Every year a subcommittee Is named
by the president Of the board to handle
nothing but the midwinter dinner
The Midwinter Dinner Committee
functions as unit of the Membership
Committee. Completing arrangements
for this affair, however, is almost =
full-time job.
Take this years, for example. The
1898 committee has been working on
the hundreds OF details of Saturdays
fete since last September. That's ap-
proximately five months work-for the
few hours Of entertainment.
And when it comes to entertain
ment, this party ranks close to the
annual gatherings OF the famous Grid
iron and Alfalfa Clubs. This year, for
instance. the revelers will take over al
most the entire first floor of the May
flower Hotel. 1t will be made to re-
semble circus to carry out the motif
of the evening-"Under the Big Top"
Talent will be imported from New
York. Circus acts will be going on
throughout the evening. Barkers will
call guests to sideshows. Magicians
will pull rabbits out of thin air.
Speeches Barred.
The whole affair is devoted to fun
making, with practically nothing
barred-except speeches. They haven't
had speeches at the midwinter dinner
since about 1925.
Last year the dinner was modelled
after the SHOW Boat" of Edna Fer
Der. Sounds of swishing waves, a gale
| at sea and a lively steam calliope
were emitted at intervals through
loudspeakers in the lobby outside the
MayfoWer ballroom. To gain admis-
sion, guests crossed an improvised
| gangplank, at the head of which stood
man turning a creaking pilot wheel
to give the full effect of life aboard
river craft.
In 1896 the theme was Horse and
Buggy Days; In 1885. Land of the
Rising Sun; in 1884, I'm the Land
Of the Midnight Sun; in 1888, Under
the Hawaiian Rainbow"
Every event Of the evening is sched-
uled to the minute. In fact, the Floor
Committee members, numbering al
most 100, are forced to have their
dinners in another room prior to the
| party, so they can be free to supervise
the entertainment throughout the eve
ming. Walters are even given definite
instructions as to the precise moment
| to serve each course.
Costs Almost $4,000.
1t is costing the board somewhere
between $500 and $4,000 to stage
this years dinner This does not in
clude the cost Of souvenirs, which will
be donated by business men.
For many years Clifford K. Berry,
man, cartoonist for The Star, has
drawn a cartoon for the dinner pro-
gram.
| More ambassadors, ministers and
diplomats are expected to attend this
years dinner than ever before. Former
Presidents have attended on several
occasions
| Aife ticAlcAoous tdSh VI stdSuls tHe
affair this year was placed by Board
President Edward F. Colladay in the
hands Of F. George Clendaniel, chair
man of the General Committee. Mr..
Colladay is serving as president Of the
committee and chairman of the Invi-
tations Committee, while Edgar Nor
ris, president Of the board last year,,
is chairman Of the Reception Com
mittee.
The Entertainment Committee Is
| headed hy Thornton w Owen as