Evening star., 1947-01-19
Bergman a Cinch
For President in '48,
A|faIfans Decide

Clifford K. Bergman, The Stars
cartoonist, is a cinch for President
of the United States in 1948--if the
Alfalfa Club has anything to say
about it.
With mock pomp and scircum-
stance, Washington's humorous So
cial and political organization
turned it's annual dinner into a
political convention to put Mr.. Ber-
ryman's name in unanimous nomi-
nation on the Alfalfa ticket" He
graciously accepted.
AS approximately 600 members
and guests began slipping their cof-
fee in the grand ballroom of the
Mayflower Hotel, Speaker Joseph w
Martin of the House took the floor
to deliver a privileged report" On
his motion, the club unanimously
named Mr.. Bergman as its candi-
date.
Escorted by Taft and Lodge.
The white haired artist was es-
corted to the platform by two Sen
ators who themselves had some
times been regarded as presidential
aspirants: Robert A. Taft of Ohio
and Henry Cabot Lodge, Republican
of Massachusetts,.
Replying, Mr.. Bergman modestly
predicted that with support of this
kind "it's in the bag for Bergman" J"
He illustrated his speech, from time
to time, with quick free-hand draw
ings of political personages to whom
he had occasion to refer.
Last nights dinner was the clubs
34th. 1t saw the retiring Alfalfa
president, Clarence A. Aspinwall,
turn his high office over to this
years incumbent, Senator Harry
Flood Byrd of Virginia. 1t saw, dur
ing the salad course, the initiation OF
the following new members:
Robert H. Jackson, associate JUS
tice of the Supreme Court; Senator
Leverett Saltonstall of Massachu-
sets: Hiram Bingham, former Sen
ator from Connecticut; Nelson T.
Harrison, lawyer; DR.. Harry H. Kerr,
surgeon, and Chauncey G. Parker,
jr., investment banker.
John w. DAVIS OTeeteu.
Thomas w. Brahany, chairman OF
the entertainment committee, an
nounced that three new members
had been unable to attend the din
rer. They were Senator Arthur H.
Vandenberg, president protempore
of the Senate; Gen. Dwight D. Els
enhower, Army chief of staff, and
Charles G. Ross, press secretary to
President Truman. Mr.. Brahany
speculated that as Alfalfa men they
were doubtless. however, making
hay elsewhere"
When the neophytes had been well
coined in song, Senator Byrd called
on Charles Porterfeld Light, secre-
tary- treasurer of the club and its
only surviving charter member. He
spoke briefly. Then the gathering
greeted JOHN w. Davis, Democratic
nominee for President in 1924, who
holds the second oldest Alfalfa men,
bership. He was admitted in 1916.
Another member called on to take
a bow was retiring Secretary of
State James F. Byrnes, who served
four terms as Alfalfa president dur
ing the war.
After the dinner dishes had been
cleared away, the evenings profess
sional entertainment was presented
by Gene Buck of New York, a for
mer club president as well as the
founder and former president OF
the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers. He intro
duced these performers:
Edwin c. Steffe of washington, a
noted singer; Pierrette Alarie, a
budding Metropolitan Opera star;
Frederick Werner, cellist; John
Garris, also of the Metropolitan;
Cardini, a magician; Sybil Bowen,
an imitator of famous persons, and
a male chorus from New York's
Roxy Theater.