Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1910-12-31
SECRETARY NORTON
HAS CLEVER SCHEME
.IAME DUCK PARLOR"
FOR CERTAIN CALLERS
New White House Arrangement Made
Necessary by Numerous Applicants
from Congressman Who Did Not
"Come Back'-Washingto Gossip.

the white houSe--the lnterhai drchf
lecture, so to speak-so as TO proVlue
a nice, comfortable substitute for the
time-honored navigation of Salt river
by politicians who didn't come BACK
on November 8. One of the spacious
corridors of the executive offices mas
been converted into an addltlohal
waiting room, to accommodate an as
tonishingly increased number or call
ers since the presidents return from
Panama.
Some astute individual discovered
that about 80 per cent of this dally
crowd who sought the presidential
presence were "lame ducks" seeking
some nice, soft berth to occupy after
March A. Although this is the open
season for jobs, SO many are the
huntsmen and so keen the ferVor OF
the chase, that the poor hunted berths
are nearly all run to cover.
Naturally the white house is the
preserve where the game is thickest.
Energetic huntsmen frequent the
executive offices faithfully. They do
not intend to be far away when the
president lets q job loose.
And SO it happens that the list OF
waiting callers has been extraordl-
narily augmented during these last
few weeks. A hundred or so job
hunters made a brave showing, but
thew have oyercrowded the spacious
reception rooms at the executive OF
fices so that the patriots who nave
other business at the white house than
chasing down vacancies on the gov
ernment payroll get lost in the shut-
file. The "jobbed" ones didn't like TO
rub elbows with the tentative JOB
less.
SO Secretary Charles d. Norton de-
cided on the architectural arrange
ment above described, in order to
separate the sheep from the goats
Those who call to point out to the
president their fitness for such-and-
such a Job, and to recall to his mind
their varied services for the party
are herded into the new reception
room--which is mercy u corridor
screened off from the vestibule, nice
ly decorated with chairs and greer
palms. This new room has come t
be known definitely as Lame Duel
Alley"
Senator Thomas Carter of Mon
tana. was the first of the clan of tn
soon-to- bel -jobless to occupy the cor
ridor. Senator Depew of New York
who will be succeeded by democra
was another "lame duck" among tn
first to warm the leather on a chat
y in the alley.
Rep. Kennedy of Ohio, who wa
swirled out Of place by that tids
wave of November 8. has been almos
a daily called. Representative Cocks
who succumbed with Stimsen In Ne'
York, has been on the job. Man
other injured members have bee
much in evidence. lA4
Bates Was Slandered.
But the saddest blow of all cam
to Representative Arthur L. Bate
Of the 26th Pennsylvania dstrit
"breezed" into the executive office
the other day, still thinking gratefu
ly OF the 100 majority with which tn
constituents of his district had e'
pressed their preference for him ov'
democrat.
sorry you weren't elected, Bates
was the greeting he received from
brother member.
Eyes, 1t was too bad" Joined in al
other.
'I sympathize with you," added
third.
"But was reelected" replied Il
astonished Pennsylvanian.
"Well, all the news we've read WI
that you went down" they replied.
Bates was bit put out that h
100 majority hadn't attracted attel
ton, but he went in to see Presidel
Taft.
Bates, I certainly shall miss ye
next year." condoled the chief exec
tive. 1T seems too bad to lose you
"But I am reelected by 100 mi
jority" shouted Bates. Ever
where 1 go somebody sympathlz
h with me I don't wont any sympatl
want congratulations"
And when Bates emerged, he ser
e6-potice on the doorkeepers that
would refuse to be seatd in Ian
Duck Alley"
state Department Luxury.
II some young man. the SON of po
but honest parents. has the qualii
cations for a diplomatic job and wan
one. he probably can have 1t by a
plying to Secretary OF State Kn'
and giving the necessary reference
Secretary Knox has no objections
the rich. He himself can afford
maintain city home, a country pla
and choose the livery of his coac
man to match the color of his hors'
But one must keep up appearance
Things have come to such a pass tn
the state department Is rapidly d
veloping into target for hostile or
icism as putocratic institution. n
merely tinted. but smeared all ov'
with affiuence, like Mr.. Midas.
balance things, II Is necessary to ha
a few young gentlemen who can co
slstently take up the high cost Of II
ing cry and give the touch OF healt
democracy to this executive depal
ment. which is on the verge OF bel
enguifed with luxury. The strain
trying 10 look por IL rapidly becoI
ing too great for the state departme
officials to bear.
As things stand now--not mentio
Ing the diplomats In the foreign Sc
vice, who are kuilty OF being enc
mously wealthy--there are good
number OF offenders Of this chara
ter. right here at home. The seer
tary himself can afford to choose b
tween the automobile and the hor'
Assistant Secretary Wilson. when
need OF relaxation. can run over
Nex., Vort< .v.S fssvv.o or tHo I.t,aifau