The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-25
By FRED c. KELLY

On the day that he was sworn in as the
new Secretary OF Labor. William B. VIII
son learned in an unusual manner OF
trouble in the organization of his de-
partment. And, simultaneously, a news
paper man got a chance 10 do a quiet bit
of pardonable gioating.
Thomas Logan, Washington CORE
spondent OF big Philadelphia paper, had
| been A good friend OF Wilson for several
years, and called to congratulate him on
his fine new Cabinet job. He asked for
Secretary Wilson. and a colored man
| showed him right into the room. Sew
| eral persons were standing about the
room, and one man who seemed to be a
sort of charge d 'affaires, turned to Logan
and asked brusquely what he wanted.
Il came TO see the Secretary replied
Logan. modestly.
We'll. don't you see he's engaged?
Wait outside" ordered the brusque man.
Logan explained that 1t was through
no fault of his that he had been shown
into the room, but said he would gladly
retire until the Secretary was at leisure
He waited and waited and waited, and
began to take a great dislike to the man
who had talked to him as IL he were
trespassing bull terrier. Wilson, he
knew would have seen him at once. He
inquired who the man was, and learned
that it was a certain official of the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor, whom
We may call Hicks. as that isn't his
name.
Hicks was under charges Of miscon-
duct. Logan happened 10 know, and he
figured that the man was trying to make
himself solid with his new chief.
Logan grew impatient and sent in his
card once more.
Let him wait" he heard Hicks say.
All, but Logan's turn came presently.
When at last he was ushered in, he
chatted for a few moments with Secre-
tarv Wilson, and then with a nod in the
direction Of Hicks. inquired. casually:
by the way. Mr. Secretary. when are
you going to fire this fellow Hicks?
Fire Hicks repeated Wilson; what's
the matter with Hicks?"
Gracious. don't you know about him.
asked Logan why he's charged with
all sorts of things-grafting from steam
ship companies. accepting free transpor-
tation from railroads and all such stuff
as that" Logan mentioned all this on
handedly, you know. just as II he were
telling lbout straw hat bargain or
the cloudy aspect of the sky. Hicks sat
two or three yards away with flushed
face. trying to bayonet him with his
glances Naturally. it was bit per-
turbing to Hicks to have his chief ap-
prised in that nonchalant fashion OF
charges that he was hoping to have
hushed I'd.
who makes these charges" inquired
Wilson. greatly interested.
Secretary Nagei made them to Presi-
dent Taft" replied Logan. but as his
term was about to expire, he took no
action. Secretary Nagel would not al
low Hicks to enter his office. When do
you suppose you will get around to fir
ing the fellow?'
And Logan turned toward Hicks with
frown of annoyance.
That was the informal way in which
the Secretary Of Labor got the first noti-
fication of misconduct in his official
family.
Since then Hicks has resigned.
Hoosier statesmen are great hands TO
eat the same breakfast menu the year
around. Vice President Marshall never
departs from a simple little breakfast con-
sisting of a stack of buckwheat cakes,
and Senator John w. Kern hasn't missed
eating bacon and eggs for breakfast in
these many years. In his Senatorial
campaign of 1910 he made "iO-cent bacon
war cry, and his friends twitted him,
saying that his fervor and militancy In
fighting the campaign along that line
showed how deeply the high price Of ba-
con had sunk into his soul.
And the reference to meat prices re-
calls the tale of Senator Kern and the
COW. Kern was travelling by interurban
between Evansville and Rockport. Ind,
one night when the car stopped with
much suddenness and impact. Outside
was mostly darkness, like unto the in
terror Of black cat in coal cellar at
midnight
However the motorman soon had his
car running again. As they moved on.
Kern, who was forward in the smoking
compartment. inquired what was the
trouble.
I'VE AN into,a cow" replied the motor
man.
And right on the bat. without previous
preparation, Kern said: