Evening journal., 1905-07-17
DUTY OF THE
P|GEON-HOLE MAN
His Principal Part is to Hold
Up Disputed Government
Cases
POSITION is RESPONSIBLE ONE
Bv wnllam woln Smith.


ever hear Of the 'pigeon-hole MANI Prob
ably not unless you have knocked about
the govefnment departments In this city
for several years There are many odd
things about the executive departments
but one OF the most unique of Uncle
Sans tlme-honored institutions is this
genius who presidos over these particular
pigeoa holes. He Is somewhat analogous TO
the silent partner who Is blamed for every
thing that goes wrong and never gets
credit for anything that goes right. The
"pigeon-hole man" is usually a person in
responsible position. His principal duty Is
to hold up disputed cases as long as pos
sible. AT first the government Is bad
debt payer. and II men In private life
were TO attempt the same policy they
would soon lose their business credit.
Uncle Sam never pays anything until he
has to. Thousands Of American citizens
have money coming TO them and Uncle
sam knows IL; knows their claims are
Just, but unless the particular individual
knows il. too. and presents claim 80
thoroughly prepared ana 80 invulnerable
70 attack that IL viii do no good TO pro-
]
tighten him Thus it happens that thous-
ands of dollars are in the governments
strong box that ought TO be out in cir
cula;ion buying shoes and frocks for
American babies instead OF lying idle in
the vaults here in Washington
But 10 revert to the 'plgeon-hole man."
He acts on the theory that In nine cases
out Of ten, these disputed claims II left
alone will settle themselves. Therefore he
labels them nicely. puts them In
jacket tied around with profusion OK
red tape and hides them where the cob
webs can decorate them until such time
as some influential Congressman makes
an imperative demand 10 see them. When
ever all trace of document In any Of the
departments is lost, It Is usually attrlb-
uted TO this particular individual. Some
times when interested parties come to
the department and demand 20 see the
papers IN their case for the purpose of
once more pressing for action, they are
requested to make themselves comfortable
until the papers are secured from the
files A messenger is sent ostentatiously
to the file clerk for the papers. Patient
search" In the files produces the papers
usually after the waiting party, tired OF
the delay, has gone In disgust. Sometimes
all parties will get together and reach
an agreement rather than wait until suci
time as the ''pigeon-hole man" win perm
r them to move. This particular government
, employe may hll a useful and necessary
/ niche in the government economy but
] he undoubtedly comes in for his share
s OF "cussing" by other officials Of the gov
T. ernment
The proposition Of the Christian En-
, deavor Societies OF the country to erec
" a memorial 20 4Dr.a Francis . ~. CLARK
founder Of the society. has awakene
much interest here. and a strong effor
will be made to secure the location Of th
+ memorial hall in this city. II is estimate,
p that the society has a membership o
2 about three millions In this country, an,
, that no trouble will be found in raising
2 the necessary funds by small contribu
tions. It is argued in behalf of Wash
: ington as the proper site for the memorla
r that this being the capital OF the country
r the city viii more and more become th
g natural headquarters for all educationa
o and moral enterprises. The plan is q
raise a fund OF s.. 100000 so as 10 provide
! not only handsome and suitable struc
! ture for the general Offices, but an endow
d ment for the maintenance Of the build
+ Ing and its work. The registered member
q ship Of the Christian Endeavor societie
: in November last was 3,Sss,24o chiefly q
the United States and Canada, Grea
Britain and Australia. although they ar
l. found in almost every country in IN
world.
n one Of the most unusual tests OF ma
terial ever made by this government wi
n soon be inaugurated on the Panama stril
Tests" Of stone iron. granite. paper, inl
etc. 10 see II they come up to specifics
ltions. are often made but a test" OF Il
Dor and endurance is unique. The test wi
be between Italians, Chinese and Jal
le anese and also as TO the contract metho
O. OF securing and handling laborers. III
Panama Canal Commission has decide
y to import two thousand men OF each M
I, tionality for a five hundred day oontrac
. subject to renewal and proposals Il
1t furnishing these laborers will soon be d
D. sued. The number of two thousand W;
s. chosen because of being the approximai
& capacity Of one ship at time. The lal
I'd orers will be furnished by contractors ar
ly will have 10 be delivered before the i
ss Of December next. The government wi
furnish free hospitals and medical a
= tendance. unfurnished quarters. fuel Il
cooking and water Under a decision
n The Attorney General laborers viii wor
n eight hours day.
Is DR.. Harvey W. Wiley. chief chemist
z, the Department of Agriculture. who
g now in London. announces that he wi
g. visit Scotland and ireland TO inspect va
h. ious whisleY distileries TO investigai
On their methods Of manufacturing liquo
III intended for export TO the United State
oh The interest which DR.. Wiley takes in Il
- subject Of whiskey Is well-known and va
- ious sensational statements 10 the effe
70 that all or nearly all Scotch and Iril
h. whiskey imported into this country
r. adulteratod along with ninety per cent.
be American whiskey have been attrlbut,
p TO him from time to time. The outcon
90. Of his visit TO the scotch-Irish distilleri
ny will be awaited with much interest
" the American distnlers and rectihe
whose product he has so unsparingly CO
81 demned.
Funeral Of Miss Rhoads.
n E,ureral services of Mrs CauU