Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-17

Laughter emanaCeQ con-
stantly from the Presidential
Room Of the Statler- Hilton
yesterday afternoon during
the Gridiron Clubs second
performance of the week end.
A hush, however, fell over
the audience Of hundreds
when the chorus of the ex-
elusive male journalistic club
began its finale song:
around the world we search
for peace. Our goal is clear.
Wen persevere. Our hope
shall never cease"
So impressed was Senator
Mike Monroney by the NOV
ing words penned to the
theme melody of Mike Todd's
around the World in 80
days." that he came up to
Club President Ben Nickel
way after the show with an
idea.
He would like to see the
Voice of America get a re-
lease from Mike Todd to use
the tune with the Gridiron's
words and have it plugged
around the world to promote
peace. 1T would do more
than ten dozen speeches"
said the Senator who planned
to set his project in motion
today.
There was yet another SER
ious song after the close of
the skits. the clubs own
song, Music in the Air."
rarely sung except at the
dinners. This was in tribute
to q beloved club member,
Walker Buel, or "Mr. Grid
iron" as he was called be-
fore his death this past year.
In a voice heavy with emo
ton. Dick Wilson, who in
troduced each number, said
"he graced this club with his
wit, his charm and his great
artistry as a producer"
AS ALWAYS THE AN
NUAL 5 TO 8 RECEPTION
got under way much earlier
than 5 because of the eager
ness Of people to attend this
party. The long line Of guests
that formed in the hotel cor
rider were greeted at the
entrance Of the Congressional
Room BY Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Kelway. the latter wearing a
small hat Of blue flowers and
. royal blue silk dress ac-
cented by a white orchid;
Paul Wooton. vice president,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jack
O'Brien.
They greeted such notables
as Chief Justice and Mrs.
Earl Warren, their honor
guests: Senator and Mrs.
Lyndon johnson, Speaker
Sam Rayburn who had just
come from greeting hundreds
himself at the Congressional
Club reception in his honor;
Senator William Knowland
and his wife Helen sporting
her new haircut with bangs;
Secretary Of Defense and
Mrs. Neil McElroy, Attorney
General and Mrs. William
Rogers. Postmaster General
and Mrs. Arthur Summer
field and Chief Of Naval
Operations Arleigh Burke.
Most Of the above enjoyed
a rollicking roasting in the
hour-long show, but none
enjoyed it more than Neil
McElroy. He had heard it all
at the stag dinner the night
before but he almost doubled
over with laughter when
Gene Raymond sang to the
tune Of Danny Boy: "Oh
McElroy, the White House
is a-calling."
Had he ever thought of
himself as a presidential
candidate he was asked
later? He replied very def
nitely in the negative noting
that the Republicans already
have a very good candidate
in Nixon.
The big. blue-eyed man
with the infectious grin said,
Before I came here I was
told. II you want to do a
Job Of running the Defense
Department, stay away from
politics.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE was
asked about his reaction to
the Supreme Court song that
began: Mine eyes have seen
the glory Of a civil rights de-
cree; We have trampled on
the Democrats and also
@. o. p" The pleasant-tem-
pered Mr.. Warren replied,
TITS all good fun"
President McKelway intro