The Elbert County tribune., 1913-12-12

season There are, of course, a great
number of routine letters from the
departments which maintain a fairly
steady flow: then there are the let
ters brought on by extraordinary
events. After the signing of the
the tariff bill, for example, thousands
of letters were received relating to
that alone: besides, there were nearly
600 kilograms. Some were congratu-
latory. others critical. the list includ-
ing requests for information or jobs.
predictions OF hard times and observa-
tons of varied character.
All of the presidents mail passes
through the hands of one clerk, who
opens and sorts 1t. small number
OF the letters go directly to the presi-
dents desk Those relating 60 impor-
tant appointments and of a political
character generally go to the desk of
Private Secretary Tumulty. Execu-
tive Clerk Rudolph Forster gets those
from the executive departments of
the government, and many others of
importance. Chief Clerk Thomas Bra
hany gets the requests for interviews
with the president and those which
relate to him in a personal or social
way. Brahany gets the freak letters.
too. Each letter, however unimpor-
tant. is briefed in few words and
the daily list OF briefs sent to the
president.
Mr.. Brahany. perhaps, has the most
interesting batch of all. for his letters
constantly reveal the odd quirks
which human imagination takes, as
well as all sorts of human interest
stories. from the naming of a little
Eskimo baby Woodrow to appeals
by mothers for the release of impris-
oned sons.
The presidents mail uncovers at
times impressive evidences of ignor-
ance as to what the presidents Job
really is. Not long ago there came
from cashier of a national bank
large batch of old paper money he
desired the president to take in ex-
change for new bills. The clerks
marveled that man could have at
tained cashiership OF national bank
without learning that 1t was the func-
ton Of the treasury department and
not the White House to redeem such
money.
1t is estimated that TOO young
Americans have been christened
Woodrow Wilson within the last year
Information as to the christening of
practically every one of these has
been conveyed to the president in a
letter. Mr.. Brahany has written a
nice little note to the parents in each
case. expressing the presidents pleas
ure at the honor which has been con-
ferred on him. Some of the young
sters were born on election day, some
on the day of the Inauguration. some
ON the presidents birthday. some on
the day the tariff bill was signed. but
many of them had no excuse at all
for being named after the president.
The letters which their parents have
received will be treasured UP for
them, however. and passed down to
their children's children with as much
satisfaction as II they were evidence
OF an intimacy with the president of
the United States. Young Woodrows
have seen the light of day in prac.
tically every quarter OF the globe.
Accounts of such christenings have
come from Africa. Europe, China and
Alaska. An Eskimo mother wrote
not long ago that although doubtless
many babies had been named Wood.
row, her son could lay claim to the
distinction of being farther north than
any other member of the clan.
Along with these accounts of chris
Jennings come letters from people who
want prizes for large families or who
announce the birth Of triplets. These.
doubtless. are echoes from President
Roosevelt's administration. Mr..
Roosevelt's frequent declarations
against race suicide started these let.
ters and they have been pouring in
ever since.
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