Political Notes

The Champions of the Progressive battle line met in the tents of the Capital--Hiram Warren Johnson and Gifford Pinchot, conferring in private. "An alliance?" the conjecturers exclaimed. But the chieftains were terse in their descriptions of their meeting: "

A fine, friendly conversation," averred Mr. Johnson. "

It concerned politics," admitted Mr. Pinchot.

Magnus Johnson, great-voiced Senator and farmer from Minnesota, delivered a speech on Peace which was broadcast from Washington by the Radio Corporation of America (WRC). In part, he said: "Peace is more conducive to happiness than is war. . . . My idea about bringing about peace is: When disputes between nations arise they should take time to get together and talk things over before they rush at each other's throats."

The Gridiron Club of Washington, high society of the Fourth Estate, host of Presidents and notables, privileged because its members wield the great battle-club of publicity, presented at its winter dinner an entertainment to pique the most jaded political palate.

Among the guests were numbered John Coolidge and Calvin Coolidge, Jr., as well as their father, the President of the U. S.; also Abram, Irwin McDowell, Dr. Harry A. and James R. Garfield, sons of the late President; also Theodore, Archibald and Kermit Roosevelt, sons of the late President; also Charles and Robert Taft, sons of the Chief Justice; also Richard Cleveland, son of the late President; also Colonel George Harvey; also Senator Magnus Johnson.

Before them was presented The Pilgrims of 1924. Afterwards Calvin Coolidge, Sr., spoke-- not to mention Colonel Harvey and Magnus Johnson. But their words in this company must remain unknown, partaking of the nature of professional confidences, exempt from repetition before the public. What passed in those confines is not to be revealed in history.

But history may speak of The Pilgrims of 1924, which was in part history and in part a sort of dramatized cartoon. Therein Pilgrim Father Frank W. Stearns--with Elder Henry Cabot Lodge, Elder John W. Weeks and other official caricatures--adventured in the wilderness with blunderbusses. Sorely were the Pilgrims harassed by Big Chief Magnus Johnson with his Indians, who demanded of the Colonists: "Does anybody here speak Swedish?"

To which Pilgrim Slemp replied: "I speak all Congressional dialects, Chief, and yours is no worse than many I have heard."

Elder James E. Watson, aided by Elder Lodge, captured the Witch of the World Court and consigned her to the custody of the Foreign Relations Committee with the remark: "May God have mercy on your soul."

As for Priscilla, the nomination of 1924, who was pursued by redskin Hiram Johnson, Pilgrim Weeks promised her protection and put in a good word for his friend Captain Coolidge, to which she made answer: "Why does he not come himself and take the trouble to woo me? If I am not worth the wooing I am surely not worth the winning. Surely a maid worth courting must also be worth the asking. Granted Calvin is silent, he must find words if he wants me. If he seeks me let him ask; till then, I answer silence with silence."

Another scene was a press conference between several reporters and an official with much foliage on his chin:

Official:

The Johnsons rave, the Borahs howl,

The Underwoods accuse.

But, Yes, we have no policy,

Excepting Mr. Hughes.

Reporter:

I'd like to have you say, sir,

If McCormick's charge is true

Are you a coy Lotophagus,

Or is that word taboo?

Official:

I cannot deal with persons

Who refer to me in malice.

The lotus is a plant, I think,

See Secretary Wallace.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, but not unaccountably, Frederic W. Upham, treasurer of the Republican National Committee, changed front. For several months he has let it be known, more or less forcefully, that Chicago would be the seat of the next Republican Convention. With hope in their hearts members of the Chicago Hotel Association were preparing to go to Washington for the meeting of the National Committee on Dec. 11.

Then one night last week Mr. Upham suddenly telegraphed to Chicago from the Capital, saying: "Please notify members of the Chicago Hotel Association that they need not waste time in coming to the committee meeting. The Coolidge management has requested Chicago to withdraw, as it wished the convention held in Cleveland."

"Ah," ejaculated Democrats, "we have the first sign that Coolidge is afraid of the candidacy of Hiram Johnson, who is strong in Chicago."

"Lo," exclaimed Republicans, "we pay tribute to President Harding by holding our Convention in his native state, which will have no favorite son next year."

Chicago sighed at the thought of losing the Republican Convention which it has had once in four years for the last 20. Cleveland brightened at the news, for she has had but one other Convention, that of a faction of the Republican Party which nominated John Cochran to run against Abraham Lincoln in 1864.