Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23

VI have been very much interested in the
Efforts OF The Star in placing In its true
light the claims of the government en-
Gloyes for an increase in their salaries"
remarked well-knoNn official who did
not care for publicity Of his name since
i might be ascribed a personal appeal
And while am talking to you about this
salary proposition l want to add this
thought, that the government is depriving
its employees of that stimulus for better
things and keener interest in wor kwhen
il fails to do as well by Its men as the pri-
vate corporation or individual in business.
In this connection l want to refer to one
incident that in way illustrates most
'orCefully the point ] have made. Prior to
asst July the Gazette division of the pat
mt office had been issuing every month its
record at an annual cost to the govern
nent of something like 100000. The chief
II the division Is one OF those hard-work-
ing painstaking, thoughtful workers who
veutured the opinion to his superior officer
that he thought he could reduce very ma
teriaily the cost of this regular official
document After considerable planning
md calculation, the scheme was submitted
to the public printer and the sequence has
been that since July ] last this official rec
ord has been issued in a most acceptable
manner at a saving to the government of
fully 10000. Now here comes the part of
the story that supports the statement
made referring to stimulus for such good
Work from employees. w men lNe secretary
Of the Interior made up his estimate for
the patent office division of his department
an item was Incorporated increasing this
chiefs salary to the sum of $3.50 per month
in consideration Of his praetica! plan for
saving the government such a large sum
1T money annually. The Secretary strong
" urged the adoption Of the recommends
ton and the House committee finally al
lowed it. But in the Senate committee it
was promptly stricken out. So you see. it
IS such action as this that not only works
an injustice to the government clerk but
absolutely puts Quietus upon any anbi-
lions tending to strive for higher things In
the public service and to suggest innova-
lions or improvements that men in bust
Hess or industrial life are quick to recog
uize and properly appreciate. 1 hope The
Star will keep up its work for better wages,
for there is a vast army of men and women
IA Washington who are not only deeply
sensible of the friendly motives that prompt
its action, but are also very much alive to
The justice of the demands, even II they
nave To keep very quiet over it,
x X = x
The action of the District Commissioners
N retiring Policeman Jim Ciscle on
pension removes from the White House the
best known police officer who ever served
at the home of Presidents. For ten years
Ciscle acted as doorkeeper at the main
door Of the White House, and this posi-
ton, until three years ago was a most
important one. Before the erection of the
executive offices visitors on all sorts of
business were admitted at the north door.
the offices OF the President being then on
the second floor of the main building. In
his long service Ciscle handled hundreds
Of cranks and he had no difficulty in send
ing all OF them away pleased except one
desperate character. That was the crazy
Swede. Peter Elliott, who. armed with a
new revolver. attempted to see and talk
with President Roosevelt. 1t was in Novem-
Ter, 1908, when Elliott, who had been an
inmate of an Insane asylum, went to the
main entrance and said he wanted to see
The President. Policemen Ciscle and Par
kcr recognized at once that he was some
what of. They asked him to have a seat
In the rotunda and then one of them tele-
phoned for a police van. Elliott became
FESTIVE and abusive before the van arrived,
and three officers had TO carry him to the
vehicle. When Policeman Ciscle and ex-
Sergeant Perry got into the cab he began
10 fight Violently and pulled out the pistol,
telling Ciscle he intended to kill him. While
Perry struck at Elliott. Ciscle secured the
pistol. The man continued to resist and
tried TO jump through the glass windows
OF the detention cab getting his body part
OF the way out and causing Ciscle to cut
one OF his arms badly. 1t was a fierce
struggle. but the officers managed to get
Elliott outside and fought him to a stand
still. lie was badly hurt and had to be
taken TO hospital Both officers were
bruised all over, and received cuts from the
broken glass.
Elliott was the most dangerous man who
ever called ut the White House and Ciscle
was much praised for his bravery and en-
durance.
* x
The Army War College building. which
occupies a commanding site at the Wash
lngton Barracks reservation on the banks of
the Potomac" remarked army officer the
other day. although comparatively little