Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-30
Secretary Maevsash to Recommend
Liquidation For Protection Of EN-.
pleyss = Congressman Smith. Of
Iowa, Tells Good Campaign Story -
Gold Pieces Good Things to Keep.
Especial Correspondence


manufactured from tinfoil, almost
caused n employee of the easur de-
partment to lose her eyesight. This
woman was sent to the factory in New
York where the stamps are made and
while engaged in counting the stamps
as the representative Of the government
the woman absorbed particles Of the
tin toll thru the pores of her skin and
suffered lead poisoning. The poisoning
spread turnout the woman's entire sys-
tenn and infected h eyes 80 seriously
that for a time it was feared she would
become totally blind. At the expiration
of the thirty days sick leave allowed
by law the treasury officials discovered
that they could not legally permit the
woman to absent herself from work
without deducting a days pay from
her wages. In this particular case
such a strict Interpretation OF the law
would result in great hardship because
the woran's doctor bills a.e almost
equal to her salary. The treasury Of
ficials also discovered that the afflicted
woman could not lain relief from the
; government under the liability act be-
cause she did not come within the class
OF workmen defined in that act. It
was decided. therefore. that the cir
cumstances in the case justified the
treasury officials in dealing with the
woman's case in the most liberal pos
sibie manner without actually violat-
ing the law. As a result OF this de-
cision the woman has been furnished
with a pass which will permit her to
enter h treasury building late IN the
morning and leave almost Immediately
II shec hoses to do so. The difficulty
about this plan is that the woman must
report at the treasury department each
day regardless Of her health In order
TO get a days pay.
Some idea of the hardship suffered
by the woman as a result Of the lead
poisoning may be gained when It is
stated that the last doctors bill she had
to pay aggregated $3.50. and this was
but n OF several. The woman re-
ceives but 5000 g year. go that a very
considerable portion OF her salary is
being turned W. to doctors to cure
her OF poisoning suffered While doing
government work.
Treasury department officials are so
thoroughly convinced 81 the injustice OF
the case that an effort Is now being
at a salary which will pay at least a
- ~ ~ AiSA Ao1lo!S oIllS LIN sui
leave her 5000 on which to live.
The case also has resulted in an in
vestigation with a view to having to-
bacco revenue stamps made OF ma
terials Of a non-po!sonous nature. This
Investigation Is now under way and It
is hoped that some way will be found
to relieve government employees en-
gagged on this work from danger.
go
Now that members Of congress have
had three or four days to listen to the
gloomy reports from the members Of
the anne duck brigade they are be-
ginning to hear about the humorous
side Of the congressional elections.
One OF the most amusing stories
brought back to Washington Is one be-
ing told at his WI expense by Repre-
sentative Walter I. Smith, OF Iowa.
Judge Smith says that one Of his con-
~stftuents was a strong prohibitionist.
H. Webb Byers. attorney general OF the
state. and Smiths opponent in the race.
was making an issue Of the ann
in which he enforced the liquor law and
this appealed strongly to the constit-
uent Of Smith, who. altho a close per-
scnal friend Of the Judge. felt that
friendship must not Interfere with his
ballot.
This constituent n friend" says
the judge. was having a hard time to
make up his mind whether to vote for
Byers or me. Finally. 1t occurred to
him that Representative Reeder. Of
kansas. had nominated me for speaker
OF the house in the republican caucus.
and he thought Reeder might tell him
something which would ease his con-
science II he voted for me.
Accordingly my prohibitionist con-
%stituent wrote to Reeder and asked why
he considered me fit to hold the great
and responsible office Of speaker Of the
house Of representatives. Every time
I think Of h answer Reeder sent back
I feel meek n humble, but, Fortunate
ly. have a sense of humor which per-
mits me to enjoy his letter.
r" It Is hard to tell why you like
some men, said Reeder in his letter to
my constituent. Take the case Of Judge
Smith, for instance. God Almighty did
mighty little for him In the way OF
looks but and the letter went on to
explain that notwithstanding the de-
iciency in looks I a was pretty good
sort Of a fellow after all.
Now, every time I stand in front
Of a looking glass to brush my hair or
shave I can't help thinking what Reed
er said about me, and I am ~everlast-
lingly wondering whether his letter got
me that vote"
Owners Of one dollar and two dollars
and a half gold pieces would do well
to hang on to them. Lee McClung,
United States treasurer, announced to-
day that the supply Of n dollar gold
pieces has become so small that no
MS.c would be distributed at the treas.
ury department in return for paper
currency or silver. The treasurer still
has q few gold dollars on hand, but in
aamuch as no more of them will he