The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-08

civil service laws, but Mr.. Foulke's adj
mirers and friends took this as con-
fession Of weakness on the critics part,
and as no high -class argument any
how.
In the brief interval when Mr.
Foulke was not transacting business
nor writing letters, he was thinking
up ways and means to extend the pow
ers of the commission. He was the
moving spirit in the blanketing scheme
which resulted in general orders from
President Roosevelt placing the entire
rural free delivery service, with its
thousands of employees, under the civil
service, and celebrated this achieve
ment by twisting a somewhat familiar
advertising catch-phrase into the ag-
gressive announcement: Anybody!
Everybody! Everybody! Anybody!
Get examined by the civil service
man."
Mr.. Fouike was also the inventor and
elaborator of the extended registry
system now in use, which has made
the commission similar to an employ
ment agency on gigantic scale, with
ability to furnish from its eligible list
men and women capable of filling any
job under the sun, including a selected
assortment of mechanics, interpreters,
snake catchers, nurses anthropologists,
physicians, hodcarriers, lawyers,
bricflayers, brass finishers and ordi-
nary government clerks
In view of the many instances in
which Mr.. Foulke eyinced his versatil-
ity and talent, the "Song of the G. S.
c." hadn't been out very long before 1t
was generally understood that he was
the author. And the song itself, ex-
pressing, as it does, all the ends, aims
and desires of the commission and
jingling through it's seventeen 'stanzas
to a mighty catchy air-Mr. Foulke
hasn't been accused of writing the mu-
sic--has made a great hit with the en-
ployes of that particular branch Of the
government service.
A Washington citizen heard about
the song some days ago and decided
to procure a copy His visit to head
quarters was decidedly interesting.
He arrived at Eighth and Il streets.
| where the civil service building is To-
Gated, Just at lunch time. On wide
ledge Just outside the front door. a
colored messenger was sitting, kicking
his heels against the bricks and Whis-
Ting with all the strength, of his lungs
a catchy but unfamiliar air.
whats that?" asked the citizen.
who has lived in official Washington so
long that he is politely curious and Gu
riously polite from mere force of habit.
That's the anthum of this here COM
mishun," was the reply. Amt it got
shuttle! Suttenly do mex my feet
itch. Use been promised copy of the
words this evenin'."
The messenger took up the tune
where he had left off and the visitor
entered the building.
Good morning" he said to the ele-
vator man, but that official was otner-
wise engaged and didn't answer.
A sheet of paper was fastened to one
side Of the wire cage on a level with
his eyes, and he was singing, in very
audible tone, as he cfutched the start
Ing lever from force Of habit:
The kickers and knockers and GROWERS,
May roast us as much as they please.
But they haven't show for the govern
ment dough
Lest they pass their exams. with ease.
No official nor clerk, with shirk to his
Can bluff MffA US with frown or glad hand
Oh, we're getting them all, they come at
And were right up behind the band.
''Howdy." said the elevator man when se,,
verse; he added, with almost proprietary
pride. "and the rest are all just as good.
"Who wrote it? Well, 1t amt signed
and I wouldn't like to say for sure. but
I'll leave it to you il it don't sound just
like Mr. Foulke. Amt 1t fine? Amt 1t
got a swing? There's git up and git to
that poem that hits me just about right:
1T amt no weak, wishy -washy stun
about trees and flowers and love and the
sad sea waves. It's somethin' felier