Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10
CITY DISCOVERER
FINDS A SOCIETY

The other afternoon the City Discoverer
was returning from one OF his long ana
favorite rambles and had neared the lower
entrance to Rock Creek Park when from
a clump of bushes near by he heard voices
raised in loud and angry dispute.
81 wonder what can be the matter" said
the Discoverer to himself as he climbed
a fence and started toward the thicket his
curiosity nightly aroused. But as he didn't
desire to get into difficulties he proceeded
slowly and had just secured a position OF
vantage when he felt a touch on his Shout
der.
Are you q newspaper man1' inquired
stern voice.
Goodness. no." replied the Discoverer
hastily.
Then I suppose you won't do any harm"
replied the stranger. a keen-eyed young
man. But be quiet
The Discoverer nodded and then turned to
peer through the bushes. A group OF men.
some young and some old. some fat and
some lean. were sitting on the grass. while
in front of them stood a notwithstanding
man. whose age was indicated by a flowing
gray beard.
Gentlemen" he was saying when the
Discoverer began to listen" the question OF
the selection of temporary chairman hav-
ing been settled. 1 now call this meeting to
order. The purpose for which We are gath
cred together Is. I believe known to all
the formation of Q Washington chapter OF
the Society for the Protection Of the Forci-
bly, Elected. Am I not rishta
a chorus of ayes" followed.
"Then." remarked the elderly man grave
ly," suggestions are In order"
60 49, ~1 ~ 49, 81 81
the chairman. II move" he said. that
anyone who has been forcibly elected from
the government service be made eligible
for membership In the society"
II objectf' came from several members
Of the group.
who" inquired the City Discoverer In
a whisper of the man beside him. is the
large fat man who just Spoken
That" responded the stranger. is Au-
gust w. Machen. one-time superintendent
of free delivery of the Post ONCE DEPART
ment.'
Goodness said the Discoverer, with
gasp. he again devoted his attention to
the group.
The Discoverer noted that the large fat
person was frowning gloomily and that q
small slender bald headed and well-dressed
individual was talking.
I'VE must draw the line somewhere" re-
marked the latter. with considerable i'm
patience. Persons who have been con-
not be eligible"
But wasn't guilty" protested the large.
fat person.
Understood" replied the slender man.
with q bow, but that doesn't make any
difference. Your motion has already been
voted down. 1 amend that motion to read
any one who has been elected from the
government service without cause shall be
eligible for membership"
The chairman put the question, and 1t was
carried with great enthusiasm.
That question having been disposed Off,
said the chairman. I'VE will take up the
proposition Of enrolment"
well" remarked the slender. bald
headed person. ''of course I am eligible.
l occupied government position OF consid-
cradle importance. and merely because I
played with the window shades of my pri-
waite Office on certain days was dismissed.
Wasn't I discharged without reason?'
The chairman put the question. and after
a loud Affirmative vote the small: slender.
bald-headed, well-dressed individual was
enrolled as charter member.
who was that?" inquired the Discov-
erer Of the stranger beside him.
Former Assistant Statistician Holmes"
replied the stranger.
The Discoverer was speeches. with as
constituent.
short fat person with a carbuncle on
his neck addressed the chair II held n
position more responsible than the gentle
man who just spoke" he said, land merely
because / was absent from my Office all the
time and didn't see him waggle the window
me as a MEMBER
AYE" chorused the group when the
chairman put the question.
who was that?' inquired the Discoverer.
Former Statistician HYDE" replied the
keen-eyed stranger.
Heavens" said the City Discoverer as
he turned toward the group once more.
a." said the next speaker. a young-old-
looking man with white hair and mustache,
held a government position OF RESPONSE
hility. Just because I. formed a partnership
with man who sold things to my bureau
was dismissed. Thank you for accepting
me as a member"
'Dr. Salmon, ex-chief of the bureau of AMI.
NAL industry of the Agricultural Depart
ment," replied the keen-eyed stranger to
the DISCOVERIES look OF inquiry.
The Discoverer shook his head sadly and
resumed his watch.
a." said the next speaker, a young man
of open countenance and pleasing manner,
held an important position under the gov
eminent. I made q valuable discovery and
just because / was dickering with an out
side concern, had some stock in my name
discharged. Thank you for so enthusiastic
cally responding to my request for ENROLL
ment."
'And who was thatr" inquired the Dis
Moo r formery 1903 OF the bureau of
plant industry of the Agricultural Depart-
ment." replied the stranger.
Il" said the next speaker, a large portly
a very important government position, and
merely because 1 was charged with writing
some libellous letters, making some unwar-
ranted charges against a superior, and
kicking up muss generally, was dis
charged. Thank you for your indorse-
ment."
Herbert w. Bowen, formerly United
States minister to Venezuela" replied. said
the stranger in response to the DISCOVERIES
inquiry.
"All of the gentlemen present having de-
clared themselves" said the venerable
chairman. 81 will adjourn the meeting after
appointing a committee to draw up a con-
stitution and bylaws. You are Of course
familiar with the circums stances of my own
dismissal. Merely because I awarded a
large contract to certain company, re-
uuested two OF my subordinates to resign
and disobeyed the orders of tn President,
was thrown out"
Public Printer Palmer" gasped the City
Discoverer. as the chairman announced that
the meeting stood adjourned.
Right" replied the keen-eyed stranger
with a smile.
And who are your" inquired the Dis
ccverer.
ooh, I am merely member of the secret