Charles B. Dillingham, theatrical manager: "Despatches, from the steamship Majestic at sea, said rumors that Annette Kellerman was disporting herself in the swimming pool proved false upon investigation. I was found 'in a lusty purple bathing suit, rolling and diving like a porpoise.' "

Alexander P. Moore, U. S. Ambassador to Spain: "I returned to the U. S. on leave of absence. Said I: 'The United States is the best governed and greatest nation in the world. Americans have much to be thankful for!' Said a reporter : 'What are your plans ?' I answered: 'To go immediately to the nearest confectionery store and buy an ice cream soda and to repeat the visits as long as I am here.'"

Rodolph Valentino (real name Rodolfo Guglielmo) : "Day Dreams, a volume of poems and philosophy written by me, made its appearance in bright melon-colored binding. In one poem, called You, I said:

'Your Lips,

Twin silken petals

Of a dewy rose.

Altar

Of the heart

Where love

Kindling desire

Worships unafraid.

Crucible

of

Passion.

The rose in masquerade.

Your Lips.'"

Admiral von Tirpitz, Hochadmiral der Deutsche See Flotte warhend des Krieges: "A Berlin despatch stated that I inserted a want advertisement in a newspaper, announcing that any modest young man wishing a quiet, refined abode might have a furnished room in my residence."

Hendrik Shipstead, senior Senator from Minnesota: "I quit Washington to spend a few days 'in the woods.' Said I: 'I cannot stand too much civilization. Sooner or later I find I must yield to the desire to go back and live something like primeval man. ... I might say in passing that I consider myself the best cook in 14 States.'"

Magnus Johnson, junior Senator from Minnesota: "At a banquet in Philadelphia, I addressed 700 prominent bankers. Said I: 'The Mellon tax plan will never pass because it favors the wealthy.' At this the bankers stood up, hissed me for three minutes. I halted my speech until the hisses subsided, then roared out a second time that the plan would not pass. The bankers retaliated with cries of 'Bring on the other speakers,' 'Sit down' and other remarks, but I stood with arm upraised and roared out the conclusion of my speech. When I sat down there came a ripple of applause; the toastmaster said: 'An honest and forceful address by an honest and forceful man!'"

Harry M. Daugherty, Attorney General: "The Evening World, a Democratic newspaper published in Manhattan, announced that I, in answer to a question as to whether the U. S. Government is 'afraid' of withholding Russian recognition, replied: 'If you ask that question seriously, you are a nut, like the rest. That is the official Department of Justice opinion of you. You are a nut!' "

James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor: "In a newspaper statement, I said: 'Some men are by nature beavers and some rats. ... A civilization rises when the beaver-men outnumber the rat-men. When the rat-men get the upper hand, the civilization falls. Then the rats turn and eat one another, and that is the end. Beware of breeding rats in America!'"

Gifford Pinchot, Governor of Pennsylvania: "In the Philadelphia Public Ledger I reviewed a book written by Lord Charnwood about my friend the late Theodore Roosevelt and published by the Atlantic Monthly Press. Said I: 'Lord Charnwood's book is not easy to read. Its writer has permitted himself to indulge in parenthetical sentences so involved that only extreme care or unusual skill will disentangle their meaning in the first perusal.'"