Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-02-26

was sent for. He was ordered to ex-
anime Drees feet.
THAT foot is not so bad was the
comment OF the surgeon.
The effect of Newberry's having
seen and talked with Drees was that
notwithstanding the physical defect
an order was made giving him per-
mission to take the mental examina-
tion. Drees went ahead and took the
examination which occupied over a
weeks time. When the examiners
came to consider Drees papers they
we're fairly stunned. He was perfect
in practically every subject and his
grasp Of the various propositions was
so comprehensive and original that
he was regarded with a degree of awe.
The report of the examination went
TO Secretary Newberry. who stated to
Judge Conner, that not only did Drees
stand first among all who took the ex-
animation. but that such a record had
never before been made by any appli-
cant.
| Secretary Newberry again ordered
i Drees before the board of surgeons
for examination. The report of the
surgeons was the same as before, but
it was recommended that the physical
defect in Drees' case be waived; in
other words the board recommended
that in this instance the rigid rule be
suspended.
Judge Conner saw Secretary New
berry after he had received this re-
port and Newberry said he had de-
cided to appoint Drees, notwithstand-
ing his physical defect of fiat-feet,
and he was duly commissioned and is
now engaged in his duties 1t is the
; common verdict of all officials who
have met Drees that he is one of the
most remarkable young men with
whom they have come in contact.
! a peculiar incident occurred during
the mental examination Drees is
especially bright in mathematics. He
declares he can solve any problem in
arithmetic that is susceptible of solu-
| tion. He remarked to one of the ex-
aminers that a certain example in an
advanced arithmetic could not be
solved; that it was an error in the
book The examiners were inclined
TO regard this statement as .unwar-
ranted presumption, whereupon Drees
wrote the author of the arithmetic,
calling his attention to the alleged
mistake. The author ut once replied,
acknowledging that it was an error
and that the problem as stated in the
book cannot be worked.
Washington literally swarms with
lobbyists-men and women of high
and low degree, each with an AK to
grind, with bill they are interested
in personally or for revenue.
A good share of the men who are
seeing congressman have to do their
lobbying, such as it is in the corridor
near the main entrance to the House.
It's "a mixed lot of humanity that
gathers there, eagerly or sadly wait
ing for response to the cards that
have been sent in
The lame, the halt and the blind
are there the out. at elbows, the dis
couraged. an occasional crank. an oc-
casional shifty-eved individual,
whose ak, if he gets it ground, will
mot be swung in any particular pious
project. In the corners and the win
dow embrasures toned conversa-
tions are going on between members
and outsiders
Some of the latter get date for IA
visit to the members office. Others
get shake OF the head.
The women are still further away.
Their lobby is corner of Saturday
Hall.
The marble columns partly shut it
away from the main hall. and there
are chairs and table where the wo-
men write their pathetic, apologetic
notes. Many of them are in mourn
ing their eyes are frightened and ap-
pealing. Others are plainly pests
the kind that are always getting
something and always wanting some
thing more
It's not always clear to Congress
man which he hates worse to see. the
penniless woman who is absolutely
incompetent TO do anything much ex-
cept starve, or the woman who is al
ways nagging him for another job.
The first one makes him sorry for
her. The second makes him sorry for
himself. Both sensations are uncom-
Portable, and the consequence is that
he very often tries 10 shirk the whole
experience by not going out at all in
response to these cards and notes.
As Capitol employe said: ''Say.
that corner over there makes me have
the blues to beat the band. Them wo-
men in their black dresses, waitin' an
waitin' for Congressman that's
probably hidin in cloak room for
the special purpose of dodgin' an in
terview with 'em, would drive mar.
ried man to drink or to the life insur-
ance company"
FRANK j. STILLMAN.
A New York Irishman was visiting