Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28

library at the city hail. The use Of the
books Ii confined, with the exception OF thu
judges of the Court of Appeals and Of the
Supreme Court of the District of Columb,e,
to the members of the Bar Association.
1.-THE association employs librarian, an
assistant librarian and messenger. and
Is In most fourishing condition"
X X X
"Cranks are more numerous than ever,
remarked a police official to Star reporter
one afternoon this week after three alleged
crazy people had been arrested and held
for treatment. Where they all come from
I have no idea," he added. There are
enough insane cases now to keep one man
busy all the time, while for many years
the man who had charge OF such cases
handled them in addition to his other work.
Seldom a day passes that there are not
several cranks to be cared for, and the
preparation Of their cases requires con-
siderable time"
The official explained that during the
session of Congress most Of the cranks
throughout the country head this way be-
cause they seem to think that Congress
can right all wrongs and remedy troubles
of every description. 1t is during the ses-
sion Of Congress that they expect they will
find the President at home. ana many of
them call at the White HOUSE. Female
usually cause more trouble thai. the men.
They are more difficult to- handle and
harder to deceive.
Tell woman you are going to take her
to see the President and start away from
the White House. the official said land
she will doubt the truth of your statement.
Usually she will refuse to go, but tho men
invariably express a willingness to go and
will. even go alone II given the proper di-
rections. They are often referred to SAM
tary Officer Frank when they call to see
the President, and most of them succeed in
hndlng that officer at police headquarters"
What do you think Is the cause for the
large increase in the number of cranksT
the police official was asked.
That's hard to TELL" he replied. 1T
sometimes think 1t Is the result Of reading
much of that sort printed now, and 1 think
the people with weak brains read 1t and
then think over 1t SO much that it drives
them crazy"
"A curious as well as valuable contribu-
ton to our knowledge Of the men and
women and children with whom we come
In contact is obtained by learning what is
the first thought they have on waking in
the morning." said a man who Is generally
supposed to be so engrossed in the details
OF large business as not to be able to
give much thought to anything else.
1T has never occurred to me-" remarked
his friend, who had Joined him In the
street car on the way down town, that
1t was matter Of much consequence what
our first waking thoughts were. AS rule,
I imagine with most people 1t would find
expression In the words:
Oh bother! I wish did not have to
get up"
quaintance; but I doubt it. An earnest,
active mind has before him at once the
duties and responsibilities Of the day, and
he is revolving In his mind the best way Of
undertaking them"
Il don't imagine" he went on, that the
young girl opposite to US possesses that
method"
He called attention to a girl perhaps f1f-
teen or sixteen wears OF age, who had a
strap full Of books in her lap and was evil
IDENTIFY on her way to school. She was OBJ
livious Of her surroundings and was ab-
sorbed In paper-bound book that did not
need the title to inform the observer that
1t was novel,
What sort of preparation is that?" asked
the day."
There was no time to discuss the PROPOSE
ton set forth, but the friend agreed with
the conclusion reached that whatever might
be the right way of beginning the day, GER
tainly novel reading did not appear to be
the most beneficial.
4
Senator Hoar while one of the most
punctilious members Of the Senate on all
questions Of precedent. is also one of the
most active in suggesting changes in the
manner of doing business. In many re-
spects he has brought about innovations
which are now gradually coming to be
placed among the sacred traditions Of the
Senate. The practice of having Washing
tons farewell address read In the Senate
on the I'D of February was Of his Sugges-
tion. He first introduced resolution about
ten years ago providing that the address be
read by Senator ingalls,, and now the prac-
tice has become embodied In the rules,
which gives 1t a life far beyond the span of
human years
Some years ago 1t was the practice of the
official reporters of the Senate and House Of
Representatives to note in the Congression-
al Record merely the bare fact that the
Senate and House adjourned to meet at a
certain time. The hour Of adjournment
was not divulged, and for many years that
information could be secured by any one
who wished 1t only by special inquiry. 1t
was upon the suggestion Of Senator Hoar
that the time of adjourning-the hour and
minute-be given in the Record. The prac-
tice was at once copied by the House. It
was also the custom from time immemoria1
to have amendments to appropriation bills
noted In the Record without the least fnti-
nation of the subject they referred to. Sen
ator Hoar brought about change by which
the contents of each amendment are sum-
married. Before that was done senator
in keeping track Of the Senates work was
obliged to examine the amendments sepa-
rately in order to ascertain whether they
were Of a kind to interest him. Now that
information Is secured merely by reading
the Record.
Every now and then Senator Hoar comes
forward with some such suggestion as those
referred to for change in tho Senate's
method Of doing business.
Mrs Noorich-"Isn't 1t grand to ride In
your own carriage?
Mr.. Noorich-"Yes. but I'd enjoy 1t more
II could stand on the sidewalk and see
myself ride by."-Brooklyn Life