Evening star., 1963-05-20
ON THE SIDE
Press Dinners Offer
Fun With Presidents

eye, the musical comedy star
said: "It's nice to meet you,
Mr.. Greene. You have a very
handsome son-in-law."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
seemed to enjoy the frivoli-
ties more than any other
President. I can see him now,
cooking his strong head to
listen to his favorite songs,
clapping his powerful hands,
laughing uproariously at the
comedians, even when he was
the butt of their jokes.
President and Mrs. Roose-
velt, incidentally, used to
give a reception and dance
each spring for members of
the press corps and their
wives and husbands. Beer
flowed freely from barrels set
up in the foyer and there
was a generous buffet In the
State Dining Room. The
President sat in the East
Room until quite late, watch
ing the dancing and chat
ting with his guests, and Mrs.
Roosevelt danced with all
comers. She loved the Vir-
ginia Reel.
Once, hurrying to get to
the White House on time, I
was stopped by a motorcycle
policeman. where are you
going in such a rush?" he
demanded. ITO the White
House." I answered, land
we're late" I showed him the
invitation and he said, Fol
low me-"
Away We Go!
With siren shrieking, he
led us through red lights and
stop signs, in first one lane
then the other, until my
nerves were about to snap.
Finally, I let a bus get be-
tween us and sneaked into a
side street. When we reached
the White House, he was
waiting at the East Entrance.
Am 1 ever glad to see you,"
he exclaimed. II was afraid
something had happened to
you"
I told a little white lie
about getting lost, thanked
him and, as soon as my wife
and I had paid our respects
to Mrs. Roosevelt and the
President, headed for the
beer barrels. 1t was the only
time in my life I ever ordered
a double beer.
At one of the Roosevelt
parties, a newSman of my
acquaintance decided a White
House spoon would be a nice
souvenir. A friend to whom
he boasted about it on the
way home was appalled,.
How would you like it If
a guest in your home stole
one of your spoons?" the
friend demanded. You ought
to be ashamed of yourSelf!"
He was, too. AS soon as
he got home, he slipped the
spoon into a plain envelope
addressed to the White House
and then drove half way
across town before depositing
it in a mailbox.
But we've Strayed from
the dinner. 1t provides,
among other things, an ex-
cellent opportunity to observe
politicians politicking. Once,
standing in the crowd trying
to get to the hat-check room,
I happened to catch the eye
OF a famous Senator who, I'm
sure, didn't know me from
Adam. His face lit up and
he elbowed his way over to
me, grabbed my hand and
exclaimed: Great to see you.
How're you been?"
A few minutes later, he
repeated the performance.
The third time our eyes met
and he headed in my direc-
ton. I fled. 1 haven't worn
a hat since.
President Kennedy rivals
Mr.. Roosevelt in his obvious
enjoyment of the festivities
and he's quite an entertainer
himself, Last year, comedian
Eliot Reid convulsed the
audience with an impersona-
ton OF Mr.. Kennedy. The
President not only laughed
louder than anyone else; he
did an imperSonation Of Reid
impersOnating Kennedy that
even broke up Prime Minister
Macmillan.
AS this years jollification
approaches. some OF us are
wondering what President
Kennedy can do to top last
years performance. Some
also are wondering If he has
as much trouble explaining
the party to his wife as they
have explaining it to theirs.