The San Francisco call., 1904-07-15
Marlborough Is a Bad Hustler.


be a real hustler rot long ago, but his
effort has had rather an unhappy end
ing II hasn't been entirely wasted,
however. FOR il has shown over again
what -go-lucky methods obtain
n the British Government service and
what determined opposition is likely
"a be met with by any one who, like the
Duke. attempts TO introduce something
like efficiency.
Mari iborough's effort TO stir up things
bit was made when his Grace receiv-
ed the appointment Of Under Secretary
OF State for the Colonies. Soon after
taking hold of the reins he introduced
into his department what both the per-
manent officials and underlings there
considered revolutionary departures.
From 10 o'clock until I were the hours
recognized by the Dukes predecessor,
but the new Under Secretary insisted
that the should be made in future,
and whenever he found that the work
Of the Office was getting behind he had
notice posted up TO the effect that
until the men had caught up they must
be at their desks at every morning.
The Duke set the example.
But in the eyes OF the staff this policy
of the Dukes was simply a demand for
two hours extra duty without extra pay
and the Under Secretary's department
became At once a hOtbed Of disaffectiOn.
Many Of the clerks asked TO be trans
ferred TO some other department Of the
Government and most Of the rest
threatened TO strike. Sorest Of all were
the so-called permanent officials"
These elderly fossils, who previously
had been in the habit Of getting down
at il o'clock in the morning. felt that
the Duke had done each of them per-
SOnal injury in introducing what they
described as his arbitrary methods" 30
Before long deputation representing
the Office staff waited upon the Duke
10 ask if the good old easy times
couldn't come back again, but the Duke
declared he meant to carry out the
work OF his department in his own
way, as he believed ii to be TO the pub
lie interest. The next move was a reg
ular conspiracy on the part Of the staff
10 set about their duties in a go-as-
yoU-please sort Of fashion, with the re-
suit that the work soon got into a sim
ply chaotic state.
Undoubtedly the Duke would have
seen The thing through had he met
with any support from his own supe-
riOrs, but the contrary was the case. 1
understand that it was suggested TO
him his chief in office that he had
better knuckle under and he now has
done so. In fact, it is said the Duke
is now going on the other tack and at
tempting to cOnciliate the permanent
officials Of his department by inviting
them 10 Blenheim for week ends" and
taking them up the river in his steam
launch
Berthe Croker, the eX-bosss eldest
son, inherits his fathers great physi-
cal strength and is one of the most
enthusiastic members of the Gaelic
Athletic Association of London, which
recently got itself into bad odor by
refusing soldiers wearing the Kings
uniform admission o it's games. Tug
Of-war is one of young Croker's favor
ite pastimes and, on account of his
great strength, he generally fills the
position at the end of the rope.
fancy that "Bertie" Croker is too
much occupied with looking after his
bulldogs, running his fathers dairy
farm and playing the man about town
TO spend much time in considering the
wrongs Of Ireland. so il isn't likely that
his membership in the Gaelic Athletic
Association indicates any feeling "agin
the Government" on his part. The
members generally. however-all young
Irishmen-are rather rabid on the sub
5ect and this in spite of the fact that
most Of them are in the English civil
service. They are employed mainly in
the Custom m-house--Outside of which
they do a great deal Of practicing in
the way Of athletics. Young Croker
Of course. has nothing to do with the
civil service, but comes down to take
part in the tugs-of-war.
II is one Of the rules of the Gaelic
Athletic Association that no British
soldier in uniform shall be admitted
10 its exhibition but it seems to have
been enforced the other day for the
first time, with the result that the or
ganizatiOn has been sharply criticized
by the English press.
When she was Princess of Wales,
Queen Alexandra was comparatively
free with her autograph. As first lady
in the land, however, she has aban-
doned this nberality. and il now re-
quires much influence to get her to sign
her name. In this direction Queen Alex
andra is following in the footsteps of
Queen Victoria, who during the last
twenty-five years of her life signed
autograph books only about half a
dozen times.
At the recent Victoria Hospital ba-
zaar quite number of American wom-
en- present were anxious to obtain the
Queens autograph, but Mrs. Henry Sic
gel turned cut to be the only fortunate
one. Her application was supported by
three Of the Queens most intimate
friends, namely, the Duchess of Narl-
borough, Mrs. Ronalds and Mrs. Arthur
Paget. Much astOnishment is expressed
at the success Of Mrs. Siegel, consider
ing that she is but a newcomer on the
scene OF English fashionable society.
Mrs. Frank Mackey, who is also shin
ing in society now, was in the running
for an autograph, too, but her backing
was not strong enough, although she
had the support Of the Dowager
Duchess Of ROxburghe and Mrs. Willie