The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-03

Scranton, Pa, Aug. 2-Col.
Roosevelt has turned sociologist.
He has forsaken the field of politics
for the time being, and IS now a
social worker. He came into tie
heart Of the anthracite coal regions
Of Central Pennsylvania this morn
ing 10 see how the miners live and
what they do.
The colonel, with all Of his char
acterlstic vigor and energy, spent
ten hours to-day visiting the homes
OF the workers, inspecting the mines
themselves, and taking look into
the conditions Of the Young women
who are employed in the silk mills
near here. He had a perfectly bully
time. The mystery Of quiet little
trip has been solved.
Goes 20 study Conditions.
The colonel admitted tonight that on
his way across the Atlantic six weeks
ago he was attracted by an article in a
magazine describing the folks who live
in these neglected parts. he thought that
something ought 70 be done for the IN
fortunates who have no means OF real
legitimate amusement wneu they emergs
from fNa 5o-1- -.o,e,-o- - ~ ---r.-- -
the stuffy silk mills He decided to come
IN and see Tor himself.
Col Roosevelt has done many things.
He has shot wild game. played politics,
tennis. and so many other pasumes. but,
despite the hand he had IN settling the
dispute Of the coal miners, he never. until
to-day. saw az close range how they do
IT, he Travelled through the Iackawanna
Valley in an automobile. whizzing over
dirty, hot roads; had lunchs in a dairy es-
tablishment, where theIe wasn't enough
glasses TO 60 around. and met the men
who whOoped it up for T. r. unJiI the
colonel beamed and beamed.
The Identity OF the former President
was unknown for a good part OF the trip.
Rough and hearty workers. covered with
SCOT, grasped his hand and told him tha-
he was the goods He liked that. too.
Col Roosevelt declared that his idea in
coming up here was merely 10 inspect.
and nothing else. He said that any con-
clusions 10 be drawn from this flying
visit viii be drawn by him. He expects
TO strike on several other occasions and
wants time 20 digest what he consumes.
Not n Political Visit.
Scranton didn't know what was up
when the colonel breezed up the main
street this morning. Traffic was DELAYED.
and there was the worst sort OF confu-
sion until Col. Roosevelt assured every
one that he wasn't boosting a nomiua-
ton or debating a platform. bur simply
having a party. Lawrence Abbott. son
of Rev. DR. Lyman Abbott was with
him. So were Miss Florence 7. Sanviiie.
who wrote the magazine article that ne
spoke Of. and Miss Fanny Cochran. Both
Of these women lived for two weeks in
the silk mill region and studied the prob
lem from the viewpoint OF the settlement
worker.
1t was about 11;3O when the colonel and
his party left their hotel They had two
motor cars As well as the heavy roads
would permit they hastened 10 Dickson
City, small town inhabited almost en-
tirely by miners. The approach led one
TO believe that the colonel would have
ample opportunity to carry on social re-
form 10 his hearts content Through the
flying dust one could see a settlement OF
il-kept houses and narrow streets.
Hikes Down street.
The borough OF Dickson City lies be-
tween the Green Ridge Mountains on
the west and the Moosic Hills on the
east. II is a city in name only. As he
passed along the way the colonel was
his glasses and natural
teeth ne used as he always does. but
there was nothing doing. The fact was
he didn't want 10 be spotted. Evacuations
in Main street made the road impass-
able. Lawrence Abbott tried to and a
turn somewhere. in order that the con-
tributing editor might not have to get
all dirtied Up. but the contributing eai-
tor refused to wait He hoped ont.
helped the ladies. and hfkcd down the
street, leaving a cloud Of dust almost
as thick as that created BY the machine.
Dickson City was having dinner. for It
was the noon hour. Men sitting in front
Of the Eagle Hotel on one side and the
Exchange Hotel on the other did not OBJ
serve the great man as ne breezed by.
They smoked contentedIy and continued
their criticism Of the government Far
10 the west the colonel gazed. He saw
a mule attached TO big coal wagon on
top Of the hill An American flag was
waited gently. The colonel removed his
hat And not a soul knew him.
Pete Evans, who chanced TO be ham
mering nails into a loose board Of the
fence in front OF his shack. stopped work
for moment Using his right hand as
an eve shade, he peered about Say"
he yelled. that's Roosevelt. know it,"
Go way. you're crazy" replied his
Continued m Da1a . Colr-,a~, A