The Detroit times., 1910-11-12
BOOKS.

Stewart Edward Whites latest of
fering The Rules OF the Game" is a
book that is hard TO classify II pur-
ports 10 be a novel but IL might just
as we'll have been published by the
American Conservation Society as part
OF their conservation campaign. There
has always been a prejudice among
critics Of the novel against stories
written TO defend a theme, and | am
inclined 10 agree with the dictum that
the theme mars the story and the
story mars the theme. For an artistic
Story, there Is too much conservation
in The Rules of the Game" and for
an argument there Is too much story.
This does not mean that the book
is not interesting and good reading II
you care TO be informed about this
question which has disrupted a cabinet
and embarrassed an administration
and is quite the most important issue
before the American public today.
Stripped. however. OF the excellent eX-
PLANTATION OF the methods OF lumber
ing both in Michigan and in the newer
lumber lands OF the far west, and OF
the stories OF crooked land ONCE meth
DDS that have furnished ground for
so much official investigation within
the last year or so, the story OF the
Rules OF the Game" has little TO
differentiate it from the yellow back
wild western tales of our youth
Bob Orde. the hero, Is foot ball
demigod, who goes into the lumber
business through the office OF his IA
theirs best friend. In the managing
Office he makes q failure through in
ability to appreciate details and In the
mill office another. He begins TO be
Iieve that he is not worth quite so
much to the world as he imagined and
his own opinion is confirmed by those
around him until he discovers a ca
pacity for leading men In the emergen-
cies OF a strenuous lumber-drive. Then
he progresses rapidly and when the
Michigan tract has been cut, is put
In charge OF operations In California
There he comes in contact with the
Forestry Service and is so carried
away with the ideal side of the work
in contrast to the sordid aspect OF his
own occupation that he resigns and be
comes a ranger After passing through
the stages OF apprenticeship, he finds
himself compelled to push 10 prosecu
ton a case against a business associ-
ate who has grabbed some important
water-rights. This involves him In the
usual difficulties in which the here
finds himself under such circum-
stances He Is bribed, threatened
with similar suits against his father
and his best friends, with prosecu-
ton for completely in a justifable
murder. and finally, when all these
avail not, Is kidnapped and spirited
away TO an inaccessible mountain fast
ness. But Bob manages to escape
from his captor and with the aid OF a
trusty fellow ranger escapes his fur
Their plot TO kill him from ambush.
When Baker, the grabbing power
BARN, finds that all In splans have
not accomplished anything, he philo-
sophically submits and offers Bob a
position. Bob. however. goes back 10
numbering, taking charge OF operations
with the intention OF making 1t a mod
ell piece OF numbering for the forestry
service to point to as a lesson that
their plans are feasible. He also takes
with him the inevitable girl, who Is
filed with enthusiasm for the ideals
OF conservation through her work
with her brother who is in charge OF
the Forestry Service.
THE Rules of the Game gives an
excellent idea OF numbering methods,
OF the ideals and workings OF the for
estry service and throws a great deal
OF light on the way government land
officials can be crooked There are
in It many picturesque characters. for
the most part conventionally so. II IS
a thoroughly palatable way OF absorb
ing some real ideas about the move
ment for conservation.
The Rules Of the Game" is pub
lished by Doubleday. Page & Co. and
is for sale at the local bookshops.
Red Pepper Burns. which has prev
iously appeared In serial form is now
published in a pleasing little volume
by Doubleday, Page a. Co. II is a
pretty story Of dynamic doctor who
is so interested In his cases and his
problems that he even pOstpOnes his
wedding TO perform an operation and
stops 10 see his patient as he starts
on his honeymoon-but that OF course
is in the last chapter. II is a whole