On This Date October 19, 1942: The FBI file on Donald Ogden Stewart is more than 1,000 pages. I conducted a Freedom of Information request several years ago to get it all. The government kept tabs on him for 30 years. I have some of it in the new book. Of all the Algonquin Round Table members, Stewart paid the biggest price for his political beliefs and convictions.
Donald Ogden Stewart in Hot Water

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Book Launch Party at the AlgonquinBook Launch Party at the Algonquin
The Algonquin Round Table New York (Globe Pequot Press) was published today. I hope you can find a copy in your local bookstore. Here you can enter your ZIP code and it will tell you the closest bookstore to shop local.
We had a fantastic book launch party at the Algonquin Hotel. What was wonderful was the descendants of the Vicious Circle that attended, I thank them so much!
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- Dandy Dillinger and Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Terin Miller, Diane Wade, Dandy Dillinger, and Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Frank Werber (left) and Michael Colby. Michael is the grandson of Ben and Mary Bodne, former owners of the Algonquin Hotel. Launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Michael Cook is the grandson of composer Deems Taylor. He produced a CD of his grandad’s music. Launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Vincent Gong (left) and Craig Rosenthal. Vince took photos for the book. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Christine Cassidy and Bob Tevis at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Joan Grossman, Michael Cook, Susan Cotton, and Nancy Arcaro. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker and Michael is the grandson of former owners of the Algonquin, the Bodnes. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Eric Taraby and Christina Hensler at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Rocco Staino, Trish Belfatto, and Michael del Castillo. Rocco is chairman of the Empire State Center for the Book, Trish is a member of the Princeton Club, and Michael is a founder of Literary Manhattan. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Author Kevin Fitzpatrick with Dandy Dillinger and photographer Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Mariette Booth and Paul Katcher at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Author-Director Trav S.D. and artist Carolyn Raship at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Susan Cotton, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, holds Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Nancy Arcaro, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, wears Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Nancy Arcaro, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, wears Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Kathy Werber, Frank Werber, and Nancy Arcaro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Ariane Von Kamp and Gigi of Beverly Hills at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Author Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ariane Von Kamp, Susan Cotton, and Joan Grossman at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Anton Briones at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Author Kevin C. Fitzpatrick speaking at the launch party at the Algonquin Hotel for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Susan Cotton is the great-niece of Dorothy Parker and Harry Atkins is the nephew of Arthur Samuels. Samuels was an Algonquin Round Table member. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Joan Grossman, Nancy Arcaro, Susan Cotton and their family scrapbook. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Joan Grossman, Nancy Arcaro, Susan Cotton and their family scrapbook. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Colin Megna, Tom Megna, Lee Morgan, Michael Colby, and Nicholas Sciammarella. (Tom is Lee’s husband and Colin is their son). Lee is the great-granddaughter of former Algonquin owner Frank Case, Michael’s grandparents Ben and Mary Bodne bought the hotel from Lee’s grandmother, Margaret Case. Nicholas is the social media and marketing director for the hotel. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Raconteur Joseph Griffo at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Dandy Wellington and Anton Briones at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Dandy Dillinger and Darlene Elkanick at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Louise Chardos and Nuala Marley at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Michael Colby, author Kevin Fitzpatrick, and Lee Morgan. Both Michael and Lee’s grandparents once owned the Algonquin: Michael’s family is the Bodnes and Lee is from the Cases. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Rocco Staino, Trish Belfatto, Don Spiro, and author Kevin Fitzpatrick at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Author Kevin Fitzpatrick holds a pocketwatch that belonged to Harold Ross, founder of The New Yorker, at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Power Couple. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Harry Atkins and author Kevin Fitzpatrick. Harry is the nephew of Arthur Samuels. Samuels was an Algonquin Round Table member. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Editor James Jayo, Dandy Wellington, and author Kevin Fitzpatrick. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Eric Taraby and Kaitlin McMenemon at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).
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- Matilda in her perch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

Heywood Broun on Babe Ruth in 1922Heywood Broun on Babe Ruth in 1922
With baseball season around the corner, let’s look at one of the many Algonquin Round Table links to the game. In the world of New York newspaper columnists in the Jazz Age, Heywood Broun stood out from the rest. His column “It Seems To Me” was beloved, and he could tackle any subject. Broun had gotten his start as a baseball writer, and continued his passion for ballpark trips even when he became a celebrity covering Broadway and news stories. Broun had seats in the press box to watch Babe Ruth in his amazing 1921 season with the New York Yankees. This column appeared in 1922.
Ruth Vs. Roth
By Heywood Broun
We picked up “Who’s Who in America” yesterday to get some vital statistics about Babe Ruth, and found to our surprise that he was not in the book. Even as George Herman Ruth there is no mention of him. The nearest name we could find was: “Roth, Filibert, forestry expert; b. Württemberg, Germany, April 20, 1858; s. Paul Raphael and Amalie (Volz) R., early edn. in Württemberg—”
There is in our heart not an atom of malice against Prof. Roth (since September, 1903, he has been “prof. forestry, U. Mich.”), and yet we question the justice of his admission to a list of national celebrities while Ruth stands without. We know, of course, that Prof. Roth is the author of “Forest Conditions in Wisconsin” and of “The Uses of Wood,” but we wonder whether he has been able to describe in words uses of wood more sensational and vital than those which Ruth has shown in deeds. Hereby we challenge the editor of “Who’s Who in America” to debate the affirmative side of the question: Resolved, That Prof. Roth’s volume called “Timber Physics” has exerted a more profound influence in the life of America than Babe Ruth’s 1921 home-run record.
The question is, of course, merely a continuation of the ancient controversy as to the relative importance of the theorist and the practitioner: should history prefer in honor the man who first developed the hypothesis that the world was round or the other who went out and circumnavigated it? What do we owe to Ben Franklin and what to the lightning? Shall we celebrate Newton or the apple?Personally, our sympathies go out to the performer rather than the fellow in the study or the laboratory. Many scientists staked their reputations on the fact that the world was round before Magellan set sail on the Vittoria. He did not lack written assurances that there was no truth in the old tale of a flat earth with dragons and monsters lurking just beyond the edges.
But suppose, in spite of all this, Magellan had gone on sailing, sailing until his ship did topple over into the void of dragons and big snakes. The professors would have been abashed. Undoubtedly they would try to laugh the misfortune off, and they might even have been good enough sports to say, “That’s a fine joke on us.” But at worst they could lose nothing but their reputations, which can be made over again. Magellan would not live to profit by his experience. Being one of those foreigners, he had no sense of humor, and if the dragons bit him as he fell, it is ten to one he could not even manage a smile.
By this time we have rather traveled away from Roth’s “Timber Physics” and Ruth’s home-run record, but we hope that you get what we mean. Without knowing the exact nature of “Timber Physics,” we assume that the professor discusses the most efficient manner in which to bring about the greatest possible impact between any wooden substance and a given object. But mind you, he merely discusses it. If the professor chances to be wrong, even if he is wrong three times, nobody in the classroom is likely to shout, “You’re out!”
The professor remains at bat during good behavior. He is not subject to any such vicissitudes as Ruth. Moreover, timber physics is to Mr. Roth a matter of cool and calm deliberation. No adversary seeks to fool him with speed or spitballs. “Hit it out” never rings in his ears. And after all, just what difference does it make if Mr. Roth errs in his timber physics? It merely means that a certain number of students leave Michigan knowing a little less than they should—and nobody expects anything else from students.
On the other hand, a miscalculation by Ruth in the uses of wood affects much more important matters. A strike-out on his part may bring about complete tragedy and the direst misfortune. There have been occasions, and we fear that there will still be occasions, when Ruth’s bat will be the only thing which stands between us and the loss of the American League pennant. In times like these who cares about “Forest Conditions in Wisconsin”?
Coming to the final summing up for our side of the question at debate, we shall try to lift the whole affair above any mere Ruth versus Roth issue. It will be our endeavor to show that not only has Babe Ruth been a profound interest and influence in America, but that on the whole he has been a power for progress. Ruth has helped to make life a little more gallant. He has set before us an example of a man who tries each minute for all or nothing. When he is not knocking home runs he is generally striking out, and isn’t there more glory in fanning in an effort to put the ball over the fence than in prolonging a little life by playing safe?
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Adapted from The Lost Algonquin Round Table: Humor, Fiction, Journalism, Criticism and Poetry From America’s Most Famous Literary Circle (Donald Books/iUniverse). Edited by Nat Benchley and Kevin C. Fitzpatrick. Available Here.