Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-28
"THE ROYAL WORD"
The Clerk Was a Friend of the Secre-
tary, and the Result.

The Clerk Was a Friend of the Secre-
tary, and the Result.
THE question Of sick and annual leave
said a clerk in an uptown department to
a Star reporter, rs one of the utmost i'm
portance to government clerks, and Is one
of their most precious privileges. Will
tell you of an occurrence In my depart
ment which will interest fellow clerks. es-
pecially.
"A clerk in my division put in an applica-
ton for. a few days leave in the usual
form In writing, to be o. KID by the chief
Of division, and sent on Its way to the
chief clerk Of the department. Not hear
ing from 1t, and the time approaching tor
his departure, ne went to his chief ana
said:
mfr. -, how about my application
for leave?'
sent it up. 1t Is too early in the year to
apply for that length of time, important
business or not You cannot be spared
my friend, who is a little fellow and a
diplomat, grasped the situation a once 1t
happened that he had a personal acauatnt-
ance with the Secretary; one of these rare
instances where a cabinet officer has a
personal acquaintance with one OF ms own
clerks. They had met outside of the de-
partment, for the little fellow is a member
of an influential family in the Secretarys
own district.
He bowed and withdrew, but instead Of
going back to his desk, he made short
cut UP the corridors toward the Secre-
tary's room. Just he was approaching
the latters private office entrance, the Sec
rotary, in company with couple OF gen,
tlemen came out Observing the CieSa anG
his anxious, inquirng face, he paused,
shook him cordially by the hand, and ,ex-
claimed to his companions:
Senator here is bright little fellow
from my state. who is the father of the
biggest. cherubic-faced baby you ever saw.
and the husband of the happiest of wife
mothers. Look at him blush. Well what s
the matter now
for about fortnight, and -
"'Well. you little rascal. why don't you
go? I'll let you-only be sure to come back,
and don't get lost on the cars.
1.-The Secretary's hearty laugh, in which
the others Joined, echoed in the marble
tesselated corridors. and they passed on.
The royal word had been given.
That evening at quarter to four-he left
1t until the last minute. purposely-he went
to his chief. 1t was his turn to rub 1t In.
Mr.. -, he said quietly. have you
sent up my leave?
81 have not replied the chief shortly.
I disposed of that question this morning.
81 thought that the Secretary granted
leave in this department l was not aware
that chiefs of division possessed that au,
thority' 1t was war now. Both looked
each other unfiinchingly in the eye. Then
the chief began to smell little official
mouse and resorted to brow-beating, as is
not unusual under similar circumstances.
"'You are impertinent-
81 beg your pardon, quickly interrupted
the clerk, for chief to say to a clerk that
he is impertinent. imputes charge against
him. / request that you withdraw that re-
mark 1t is no impertinence for clerk to
state a rule of the department to his chief
more especially when he appears to have
forgotten it, or is unaware of its existence
The Secretary, and he alone, finally grants
or disapproves applications for leave in all
departments of the government. 1 have
never before heard this authority ques-
toned
"I don't question it., hastily interjected
the chief, to whose nose the official mousy
smell was each moment becoming more
acute.
"'By not submitting my application to
those whose province 1t is to decide such
questions. you certainly do question it and
exceed your authority. Approved or dis
approved by you, they. and not you, pass
on 1t finally, and, furthermore. you know
it
81 will send It up tomorrow said the
chief, as he climbed down from his high
horse as gracefully as the occasion admit
ted. Let me see, you wish to go
Take your time replied my friend
pleasantly. Tt is already granted. 1 have
the Secretary's personal permission to go,
provided I do not get lost on the cars.
start tomorrow, and 1 will try not to get
lost. Goodbye.