The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-25
Everyday Stories of the Workings
and Workers of the Departments.

A merry war has broken loose in the
Bureau % Ethnology. a department
of the Smithsonian Institution. which
promises 10 end in a Congressional inves-
tigation n the injured feelings of "a fur
Laughed scientist are not quickly as
suaged.
The public is not supposed to be in the
secret, but, between the struggles Of Sen
atOrs 10 disclose and Of those on the in
side TO keep the door shut. they are Sc
curing glimpses Of the skeleton.
The story, as told, is that a well known
member of the bureau was forced out on
furlough July last. while still engaged in
CONFLICTING a scientific monograph. on the
plea that she was too broken in health to
continue her scientific efforts.
The scientist in question refused to rec
ognize the right Of the bureau officials to
take such action under the civil service
regulations
A compromise was then attempted by
an offer to pay a lump sum for the final
manuscript necessary to complete the
work
This. again, was refused, the lady stick
ing by her guns and firing the shot that
she was officially connected with the Gov
eminent service until she was dismissed
for cause.
1t was here that a United States Sena-
tor came into the game. and the bureau Of
icials made a partial retreat by acknowI-
edging a willingness to 90 anything fair
and just TO bring the issue to a close.
stating however. that they did not be-
lieve they had the right legally to pay
some six months elapsed salary.
Inc lady is now completing her scien-
tinc monograph. with four months lee
way and The comfortable feeling that the
courts or Congress will take care of the
money in arrears.
One Senator said she is the IiveIicst
sick woman that oficialism has yet tried
10 ride over rough shod."
10 Is said that pyroJechnic illumination
viii be given the episode at the proper
time by the disclosure OF bad scientific
methods and questionable collections Of
aboriginal material in the bureau.
Mr. James Cross. Of the Railway Mail
Service. is a ventriloquist and mimic Of
no mean ability. Years ago. when be was
e messenger in the Pension Office. the
building was not fully completed. and
scores Of worknen we're engaged in put
ting the finishing touches to the edidce
under the supervision Of contractor
named Jones Jones had a peculiar voice
and il was daily practice with him
10 make The rounds Of the building and
reprimani any OF the workmeu found
lettering. Young Cross used 70 post him
self behind a convenient corner. and when
Jones would draw near he would throw
his voice over to a group Of laobrers and
say;
There comes that old sn0ozer. boys.
Some ones going 10 get IL in the neck '
Then changing his voice TO a perfect
imitation Of Jones he would say.
Hey. you fellows over there. come
over 10 the Office and get your time"
II was quite long time before the
contractor and men caught on"
Capt. Henry T. Brian Chief Clerk OF
the Government Printing once. is at all
times anxious 10 be affabIe and courteous
10 all who call on him on business. and
anyone who applies for a Government
publication that he is authorized TO Civ,
out may be sure Of getting IT, But If
the applicant wants a copy Of a bin thai
has been introduced into either house o.
Congress il viii be well for him 10 know
the number Of IL, otherwise his trip tC
the G. p. o. may be fruitless The rea-
son for this IS plain, for as there are
sometimes anywhere from 100 to 4OOC
bills offered in the two houses in a single
Gay. IL IS maEifestly impossible for any
one connected with the Office 70 remem-
Der any individual title
Mr. George A Howe. Of this city. gho
recently became attached to the office OF
the Sealer Of Weights and Measures OF
the District was sor a number of wears
one or the health inspectors. He has
always been regarded as able painstak-
ing, and efficient
One Of the hardest working employees in
the United States Treasurer-s Office is J.
W. Lowell, Of Illinois, who. il is said. has
been selected for chief Of the proposed
postofiice division Of that office.
Mr.. Lowell came prominently into no.
tice in 1888 when he prepared for Mr.