The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-06
ECCENTRICITIES Of
A TREASURY CLERK
James Seldom COWden Had
Strange Ideas.
CONFINED IN ST. ELIZABETH'S
New YagaIy for Every Month-Spirit-
ualist, and Framed Curl
Gus Bill.

TIL. peculiar conduct of James Seldom
Cowden. the Treasury Department clerk
who is now confined at St. Elizabeth's,
has excited the attention of his fellow
workers in the big Government building
for a number of years.
To say that he was eccentric expresses
the situation I'm the most inadequate
way. He acquired a new VaEary almost
every month of his life.
His Office I'm the Treasury Building
was up on the fourth floor, almost under
the roof. and from this coign Of vantage
II was his custom to stalk in somber
dignity up and down the endless miles
Of corridors. He was faultlessly dress
ed usually. and his demeanOr was a
marvel Of solemnity. Sometimes. though.
1t was bit disturbed by the presence
of a railway conductors lantern. which
he carried slung over his arm. and cx-
planned he was using it in a search to
find work
Communicated With Ghosts.
Some time since he added spirituaiism
&c his repertoire. From then on he spent
a goodly portion Of his time calling
up, in some manner not explained, the
spirits of departed Treasury clerks. with
whom he said he had extended con-
versatiOns. Messages from them he
cheerfully delivered to their friends in
the land of the living.
A Curious Bill.
The bill that he last had introduced in
Congress-by Representative Baker Of
New York, by the way-was one OF the
most remarkable productions of the re-
cent sessions Of Congress. The preamble
itself is marvel OF rhetoric and alb
surdity. 1t is entitled.
a bin 10 regulate interstate COM
merce by competition and declares:
Whereas the enactment OF this bill
means Industrial freedom for the work
ing world: and
Whereas the enactment OF this bill
means public Industries, IN competition
with the trusts; and
Whereas the enactment of this bill
means public employment for every body
who wants it. and
Whereas the enactment of this bill
means public currency FOR public pur-
poses Ike that shown hereinafter in
part forty-four; and
Whereas the enactment Of this bill
means that fOrty-fiVe executive depart
ments can be establish. and ope. ated
with great public benefit; and
Whereas the enactment OF this oil
means that each State in the Union Will
be represented in the Cabinet of the
President: and
whereas the enactment OF this bill
means that the whole people have a
right TO do any business for labor cost
that any part OF the people have the
right TO do for labor cost and profit
Grand Army of Labor
The bill provides "A number OF general
duties for the heads Of the departments
that Cowden wanted TO have created.
One Of them was Ito direct the efforts
OF the members of the grand army of
labor who may be assigned 10 their re-
spective departments. by the department
OF II Dor, herein created. in such a way
that they wiH reflect credit upon them
selves as well as upon the public ser
vice
II was further provided that the heads
OF departments should prohibit the
employment OF any person who shall not
have enlisted in the grand army Of labor
of this Republic. and have duly and
regularly assigned to their departments
by the secretary OF public labor. under
the direction OF the President Of the
United States
Resign on Request.
The secretaries were required lin
stantly 20 resign their positions, when
ever any considerable number Cf the
patrons or employees of their respective
departments shall demand their removal
from said office at the hands Of the
President Of this Republic"
One Of the provisions ought 10 have
made a hit with the Ancient and Anal
gamated order of Sons of Rest. It was
to the following effect;
To see that each employee Of their
respective departments is paid daily,
weekly. monthly. or quarterly. as they
each may decide. not less than 81 a
day Of four hours Ccch. with a practical
examination for each promotion TO each
higher grade Of pay in the public service
as well as granted leave OF absence. with
fun pay. for one day after working three
days for one week after working three
weeks for one month after working