The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
[special corresponaenee.1

capitol is by far the most symbolic OF
ell the statues in Washington. Beau
tiful and reposeful, yet with an air of
vigilance, 1t Is perhaps the least appre-
ciated of the city's statues, possibly
because Of Its being placed at such an
altitude that 1t cannot easily be
studied. The original plans Of the cap
itol called for statue to surmount the
dome, but no title was then given it,
and, although more than half cen
fury has elapsed since It's erection,
comparatively few people know the
real name Of the statue.
The Statue on the Dome.
The statue was modelled by Thomas
| Crawford, father Of the novelist, the
late +. Marion Crawford 1t was cast
at Maryland foundry. Jefferson. Da-
Wis was secretary of war when the
model was first presented in the war
department The statue then wore a
liberty cap and carried a bundle of
rods. Davis objected to the liberty
cap as being emblematic of enamel
| pated slaves. while Americans were
freeborn. He also thought the bun
die of rods, suggesting the functions
of the Roman lictor, had lost its sym
bolic character. Because of these crit
icisms Of Secretary Davis the model
was changed, and ARMED Liberty"
was evolved.
The statue is nine feet six inches
tall and weighs 1885 pounds. 1t was
put in place on Dec. 2, 1863 The head
is thrown back and adorned with ca
gle's beak and plumes. The right hand
rests on sword and the left holds an
olive branch and shield. The mantle
Is gracefully draped and is held by
brooch bearing ~. S." on It's face.
The helmet is encircled with stars.
The supporting globe bears the legend
'E Pluribus Unum."
Mrs. Taft's Secretary.
Each morning just at 0 o'clock a
slender person wearing a neat tailor
made bustles into the White House.
for the days work. Miss Alice Bleeh.
who comes tripping so daintily at o
a. M, Is the private secretary or ''spe-
cfal0 secretary of Mrs. Taft.
Miss Blech is German by birth and
was born In Dresden. Until four years
ago her home was abroad She is an
expert stenographer and an accom-
piished linguist. She Is master of
French, German, Spanish and Eng
fish. When she came to Washington
ah tn, a
American republics, where her versa
tile abilities soon attracted attention.
Miss BIech's Duties.
Miss Blech attends to the CORE
spondenee which comes to the wife of
the president In vast quantity. she re-
>Heves Mrs. Taft of all routine work
In replying to letters, preparing invi-
tations. programs and so on. Each day
scores Of letters come to the wife of
the president from all parts OF the
United States making all sorts of rel
quests In the name Of charity. These
Miss Blech answers. frequently reliev-
Ing Mrs. Taft of the entire burden
and asking her advice about only the
most important. Mrs. Taft herself di-
rects the social affairs of the White
House, although she avaiIs herself dai
" OF the services OF Miss Blech In her
capacity as stenographer debating
to her letters, answers to Invitations, |
dinner lists and matters of that kind. |
Usually Miss Blech's work Is COM |
pleted in the morning, so that she has
the afternoons to herself.
Unfortunatss Grateful.
Out OF $4,000 paid In the past eight
years for railroad fares, fines, tele-
grams and to aid them toward q new
start In life $4,000 has been returned
TO the Prisoners Aid society of Wash /
ington by the men and women, bows
and girls who might have gone to the
workhouse or jail but for the interven.
ton OF Charles Alfred Massie, known
throughout the District of Columbia
as "the prisoners friend"
This Is the embodiment Of a yearly
report recently read at the annual
meeting and election of officers of the
which has done incalcula-
BILE good and was chiefly instrumental
In the establishment of a Juvenile
court and house or detention, where
young boys and girls and women who
fall into the clutches of the law for
the first time may be sent instead OF
o the hard iron benches in the station
house cells OF the city.
Record Of Good Work.
A bare statement or report of what
has been accomplished by this society
q the past eight years will be interest
ne. The repayment of money loaned
. but single instance OF many which
prove the manner In which recipients ]
u benefits at the hand of the society !
nave been lifted up TO a higher level I
md become honored citizens of char
lcter and principle. Twenty-six thou :
and persons have been helped to po- !;
'itions Of trust. and of this number
1000 have been sent home instead Of ;
,eing left to serve terms In the work
louse or jail or to be thrown on the t
treets n
Lawmakers Hard to Find. "a
One might suppose the homeless /