Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31
WGS
HEARD
.~SEZV

he was told 1t was about time for MIN 10
come down peg and BEHAVE i M SET
When he was told that he would De sent
to the insane asylum for life ana tnat ne
could not get out under any circumstances
he became suddenly sane and expressed d
willingness to spend q term In prison III
stead In cases where insanity comes IN
such a way 1t Is always well for the au-
thorities to put the people to severe TEST,
and, if possible bring about settlement
of the question before the case reaches a
jury
X X X * !.
Gen. Oliver. the new assistant secretary
of war, is causing somewhat Of a commo-
ton among the higher officers of the army,
remarked one Of the latter the other day,
"by his decided stand against what he re-
CARDS as extravaganza in the purchase of
office furniture and other material. AS a
rule all the furnishings of the offices In the
War Department are of the best materials.
and are usually purchased whenever needed
without regard to price. Now, Gen. OlVer
believes in getting good things for the gov
eminent offices, but does not think 1t ad-
visable to attempt to compete with Million
aires in purchasing only the best of every
thing Instances of his policy have oc-
CURED recently in the purchase Of rugs. AS
a rule articles Of that character are left to
the taste and judgment OF the officer for
whose room they are intended, and 1T is a
fair assumption that he does not select
cheap article. The prevailing idea, you
know. Is that the government Is rich and
we'll able to buy the best the market at
fords. One of the rugs selected by high
ranking officer was invoiced at $Z0o. Gen;
Oliver thought that an excessive price, ana
disapproved the requisition, much to the
establishment Of the officer in question. He
concealed his chagrin. however. and select
ed another rug, the price OF winch was *o?,
and he got it, In furnishing Gen. divers
Office very fine rug was provided. 1t was
much admired. Gen. Oliver asked the price
of it. and was informed that 1t would cost
$500. He thereupon ordered 1t returned 10
the dealer. and said a much cheaper article
would answer the purpose equally Well IL
was so unusual for any one at the war De-
partment to reject a piece of furniture on
account of its price that his action caused
general comment. Gen. Oliver is a man Of
means and does not stint himself In his
own purchases, but he believes it his duty
to guard against extravaganza in pubic
affairs, even in small things
X * X *
when 1 first came here from New York
I rebelled against one of the customs or
this city which / found to be almost uni
versal" said recent addition to the popu-
lation of the capital. THAT CUSTOM he
continued. lis the giving up of seats In the
street cars by men to the ladies that enter,
no matter whether they be old or young.
AS every one knows who has ever been in
New York. the right to a. seat in street
car is regarded about as is the right to
seat in a theater. No man ever surrenders
his seat in a theater to a lady, whatever
the conditions are Women who go to a
bank have to take their turn in the line.
So 1t seemed to me to be far-fetched idea
that men should never be able to secure an
easement seat in street car that
would hold in the presence of lady. After
coming here l determined to fight for my
principles and l did SO for several weeks.
Gradually. / confess, became ashamed of
my conduct. / suppose cowardice was at
the bottom of 1t ALL because 1 never have
become quite reconciled to the custom. But
l am the first to rise up in q crowded car
when lady enters 1 have determined to
follow the old adage. When you are in
Rome do as the Romans do When 1 am
in Washington l will do as the Washington
ians do, but when l get back to New York
II keep my seat, you bet
* K K
Opportunities are frequently offered med
zeal officers on foreign stations" said Sur
geon General Rixey of the navy the other
day. Ito render professional aid to the
affiicted shot down in warfare, and they
are always eagerly seized upon and the
responsibilities involved most willingly ac-
cepted. During the past year two such in
stances have occurred. one in Santo Do
mingo and the other in Venezuela. Dur
ing the revolution in the former country
in the spring OF 1893 Surgeon Manly F.
Gates. L. S. N. organized an ambulance
party at La Fe and established Red
Cross hospital for the care of the wounded
OF both sides at Santo Domingo City. The
commanding officer of the Atlanta spoke
highly of DIR. Gates work we'll as of
that of A. NJ Fars. hospital apprentice
on that occasion. and said that their care
O? the wounded was a necessary act of
humanity the people seemed apathetc
In July last the Bancroft was stationed off
the city of Bolivar, Venezuela, during the
capture Of that place from the revolution
lists by the government forces. Passed
Assistant Surgeon ]. c. Prior of the Ban
croft rendered valuable aid to the wounded
on both sides, to whom no attention was
being paid by the authorities. He organized
an improvised hospital in public building
and personally performed sixty-six opera
tons. many Of them of a grave nature, and
for an entire day and night was unrenit-
ting in his attention to the wounded"
Wife-'I have been thinking I ought to
give birthday present. Harold. I"