The Washington herald., 1909-11-20

L tell you. gentlemen, that if we can
persuade Congress to pass good roads
appropriation bill providing for adequate
commercial highways throughout the
United States, you VIII all have plenty of
work" snid Prof Charles Wills. in a ring
ing voice.
None Of the members Of the Union Of
Unemployed gathered at the Peoples
Church last night seemed to be profound
ly interested In this fact. One OF the un-
employed coughed gently behind his hand
and glanced toward the door through
which the aroma OF hot coffee was
waited.
Good roads, gentlemen. mean work 20
all OF US. continued the professor in the
same ringing voice. but a bit more anx-
iously.
Born I'm the Union.
One OF the members looked as n
Ne nad been born into the Union OF I'm
crrplo ed. and therefore had 70 wish 20
Iesv, IT, He was sad-faced man, the
sadness increased by dropping and dis
plrited mustache OF the walruS type.
How about them Eyetallans?" he
asked
Italians" said the professor strldently.
cannot force good Americans out OF
work"
"Hurray" yelled somebody in the back
OF the ROOM The sad-faced man was
moved not a whit.
But they're doing IT," he persisted.
'I,o fsff
by and continued his address.
Now, look at the way they're pouring
water on the desert he requested
silence Only Reply.
There was a general silence. caused
principally by the fact that nobody knew
what particular desert the professor was
talking about, or who was pouring water
and why.
A plumber who had done some plumb
ing in 1876 and had lived on his reputa-
ton since that time arose.
Did you wish TO make a remark!
asked the professor.
Yes said the plumber. glancing over
the assembled unemployed. I want TO
get a cigarette"
He got one and started out toward the
hall. explaining that he would be back
soon.
Gentlemen. we must get Congress TO
make that good roads appropriation, p"
said the professor in that same ringing
tone
How kin we git out 20 where they're
gwlne 10 build them roads, inquired a
plaintive voice in the back Of the room.
Without gittin' pinched fer hoboin',
supplemented another voice.
Tine point Is TO get Congress" said
the professor. and II we ere TO get Con-
gress we must stand together"
seems TO me there's a blamed sight
more chance Of Congress gittin' as II we
try any monkey business around there,
said a touzled man with an aggressive
jaw and a fierce eye.
Pnuse Proves DiSaHtrOus.
Now, there is plenty OF work out
/ Vest The professor paused for a
moment. and during the pause mis- re-
marks were permanently disrupted Some
body came in with a trayful OF ham
sandwiches. and behind. radiating hospi-
tality and good cheer. came Mrs. Georgia
/ Ferguson, pastor OF the Peoples Church
With a pot OF coffee.
The Union OF Unemployed gallantly
rose as a man 20 do its duty. II did
not care a whoOp whether il got at
Congress or not What il wanted 20 do
was effectually TO get at the coffee and
sandwiches. Sandwich after sandwich,
I and cup after cup Of coffee vanished be-
Meath the heroic treatment of the unem-
/ ployed.
I'VE must get Congress. gentlemen.
cried Prof. Wills. I'm a voice OF despair.
Wen lined with coffee and sandwiches,
the Union Of Unemployed adjourned,
merely wondering in vague uncertain
sort Of way whether the professor eX-
pected them 10 sandbag Congressman IN
dividually or eEope with the Capitol TO
! affain the fnelraI and