The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-19

Although the interest will be centered
in the outcome Of the game. Roy Key
will occupy the calcium unless he suffers
from stagefright. The Jefferson Powder
company and L. & N City league clubs
will preeede the premier attraction, be-
ginning at o'clock. The one admission
will be charged for both games.
The T. P. A.-U. c. T. game will be
called at o'clock.
fceholders. Why this discrimination in
favor of high salaried officer against
the low salaried one?
Claims Salary insignificant
'Mr. Bryan says he is selling his
time, energies and talents to private in
dividuals or organizations because his
official salary is not enough for him
to live upon He is receiving $4,000 Il
year In the government service there
are thousands of employees who receive
less than one tenth of that sum and
who, in these days of high cost of liv-
Ing, find it difficult to live within their
income Not one of these thousands
however, is permitted to abandon his
post of duty and sell his time and en-
ergies and talents to others for the
reason that Mr.. Bryan has given for his
action. If Mr.. Bryan's example shall
We iOllOWcQ DS eHDlOS6S Bt0tE-
ally who can see the extent of injury
to the public service?
IF we are to adopt the policy Of
placing the dollar above public duty,
then the door of opportunity should
not be opened to one citizen and closed
to another. III there is to be discrim-
ination, 1t should be in favor of the
poorly paid man, but | see no reason
why distinction should be made.
M bap for
eign complications confront us, when
the Japanese question is before us
when our relations with the disturbed
republic to the south of us are most
grave and frought with mighty respon-
sib1lities; when treaties affecting our
relations with various nations of Eu-
rope are pending and awaiting the ac-
tion of this nation; when the question
of Panama canal tolls is pressing hard
upon us when the alleged claims of
Columbia are being urged when the
Congress is dealing with the tariff con-
tanning provisions which may affect
our diplomatic relations with other
countries, indeed at this time above
all others the statement of Mr. Bryan
that he proposed to desert his office
for the purpose of financial gain comes
as a shock to all thoughtful people
Claims Action Inexcusable
hlo dGllOn Is even more lneXcuSdDle
when it is known that the Secretary has
been in office but a few months and
from the nature of things he cannot
have become familiar with all of the re-
sponsibilities of his great position. The
Secretary of State is regarded as the
most important executive officer of the
government below the President He is
premier of the cabinet he should be the
first example of faithful, intelligent de-
yotion to duty.
II know of nothing more unfortunate
to the cause of public virtue and sin
gleness of purpose for high ideals than
this expressed determination of Mr. Bry-
an, upheld by the reasons which he gives
When he entered into the implied con-
tract with the government to serve as
Secretary of State he knew what the
salary of that position was He had for
years proclaimed the doctrine of the sim
pie life-of pure democracy. He knew
that $1,000 per month was the compen-
sation he would receive from the govern
ment. To a majority of people in pub
lie and private life that compensation
seems most adequate, and yet now he
declares to the country that ii is insuffi-
cient to meet his expenses as Secre-
tary of State.
His salary is the same as that re-
ceived by the other cabinet officers and
no one of them has complained that it
Is inadequate. How now are the virtues
of economy and simplicity to be i'm
pressed upon the people when their great
advocate states that it is necessary for
him to capitalize for financial gain his
great ability as a ehautauqua lecturer
because he cannot support himself and
family upon $4,000 a year?
IF he had resigned as secretary, Civ
ing as his reason the one he did give,
viz: That he could not live on his salary
and by inference that he owed a higher
duty to his desire for wealth than he
did to public service, there would have
been less reason for public complaint.
but to hold his office and draw the full
salary for only a part of the time he
rendered service is in my judgment i'm
proper and inexcusable
High Priced Lecturer
MIR. Bryan was one of the highest
priced lecturers in the country before he
became Secretary of State. His superior
ability as an orator plus the notoriety
he secured as a several times candidate
for President, gave him great drawing
powers at chautauquas. and he had a
right to improve the opportunities thus.
opened to him, but no man has right
to exploit the public office which he is
holding for private financial gain, espe-
cially not when such exploitation must
of necessity interfere with the perform
ance of the duties which he voluntarily
assumes.
1.-THE President is responsible for the
public service of the members of his
cabinet, and, to my mind, Mr.. Bryan's
action, whether with the Presidents con-
sent or assent, must be considered as
an approved policy unless publicly re-
nounced. Whatever I have had to say
regarding the matter is not based upon
lnuendo nor presented in the form of
generalities, but it is a criticism of a
concrete example, which, unrebuked
might be assumed to be inferentially ap-
proved, and which, If generally followed,
would certainly be greatly detrimental
to good government hv nlac cling individual