DINNER AND A PARODY

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3189, 31 January 1928, Page 5

DINNER AND A PARODY

"JULIUS COOLIDGE'S CROWN."

GRIDIRON CLUB'S FUN,

One of the most notable events in the year in the United States is the annual dinner of the Washington Gridiron Club, composed of correspondents at the Capitol. It is probably the only occasion in the year when there are assembled the leaders of the nation in politics, diplomacy, finance, commerce, aviation, the Army and the Navy.

Among the guests this year were the vice-president and several whose names are prominently in the press as nominees for the Presidency, Lindbergh, Byrd and Maitland were there. Others included General Pershing, Sir John Broderick, of the British Embassy, and many senators and congressmen. The chief event of the evening, apart from the dinner, was a musical parody on "Julius Caesar." In the midst of a violent storm in the west, two Roman citizens, muffling their togas about them, saw a herald aproaching. It was the' President's secretaiy, Scipio Sanders. "Citizens, I have terrible news," he said, "Julius Coolidge hath set aside the-crown." Following this stupendous announcement, a delegation of Roman aristocrats—otherwise Republican leaders— appeared, bearing an enormous crown of gold, resting on a scarlet cushion, and singing the Pilgrim's Chorus, be wailing the departure of Julius Coolidge. Four tribunes—Horatius Hoover, Decius Dawes, Lucius Lowden and Nero Norris—refused to accept the crown.

Flavius Fess was sent to prevail upon Julius Coolidge to remain, but he returned badly mauled, showing his reception at the hands of the Liberator. Flavius sang a tearful aria, "What'll We Do. To Make Coo, Coo, Coolidge Stay?"

And so on. AH the. events of the year are presented in burlesque, relentlessly, and distinguished visitors are called to their feet, to be "joshed" good-humouredly.