United labor bulletin., 1913-12-13
THE OPTIMISTIC
PHILOSOPHER

Somebody said that it couldn't be
done,
But he, with a chuckle, replied
That maybe it couldn't" but he
would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in, with a trace of
grin
On his face. If he worried, he hid it,
He started to sing as he tackled the
thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.
Somebody seoffed: "oh, you'll never
do that.
At least no one ever has done it,
But he took off his coat and he took
off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd
begun it;
With the lift of his chin, and bit of
grin.
Without any doubling or quibbling;
He started to sing as he tackled the
thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it,
There are thousands to tell you II can
not be done,
There are thousands to prophesy fail
ure;
There are thousands to point out to
you. one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you;
But just buckle in with bit of grin.
Then take off your coat and go to it:
Just start in to sing as you tackle the
thing
That cannot be done" and you'll do
it,
Colorado's most noted educator is to
retire from active service on January
/. For forty years DR.. James H. Ba-
ker, president of Colorado University,
has been actively connected with edu-
cational institutions of the state, first
becoming identified with the Denver
High School in 1875, where he served
as principal seven years and saw the
attendance grow from so to 700 pupils
Twenty-Five years ago he was called
to the head of the state institution at
Boulder. which he has caused to be-
come recognized as one of the leading
state universities of the country, now
having an enrolment of 300 pupils.
During all these years DR.. Baker has
enjoyed the fullest cooperation OF the
student body and the state regents of
the university. and his kindly advice
has assisted many Young men to sue
cessful avenues of life. In recognition
of his long and valued service. the
board of regents bestowed the title of
President Eremitus upon the doctor
and voted him one years salary dating
from time of his retirement This ac-
tion has the approval of every citizen
of the state DIR. Baker is Go wears of
age and will become beneficiary un-
der the Carnegie pension fund for edu-
Gators. Prof Livingston Farrand of
Columbia University has ben appoint
ed to the position.
During the three years that Dave
Coates was one of the commissioners
of Spokane, Wash, he inaugurated
some lasting benefits for the people
of that city. He struck at the vitals of
privilege from many angles, and while
the corporations were able TO encom-
pass his defeat in the recent election.
Dave can console himself with the
thought that his achievements in be.
helf of the people will he remembered
long after most OF these captains of
industry have been forgotten. He in
augurated movement for n municipal
lighting plant that is soon to be in
successful operation established
double platoon system for members of
the city fire department. and won a
living wage for laborers employed by
the city. He was the author and advo-
cate of many measures having for
their purpose betterment of civic con
ditions. but as was the case in MIL
waukee and other cities where work.
ing people have united to elect Off
cials. because he could not or would
not revolutionize everything in day.
Dave Coates suffered n political cruel
fixjon at the hands of many of those
who should have been in the lists of
his staunchest supporters. He will be
heard from again in the municipal af-
fairs of Spokane.
The milk of human kindness is not
all of the canned variety, as evidenced
by the story of how Smiling Max"
Garmizy came in possession of n new
pair of wooden legs and a neat bank
account. Max's real legs became in
fected while working in a New York
children's jacket factory. Blood pois-
oning set in and both were amputated
Max could no longer get to his sewing
machine to earn a scant livelihood for
himself and five motherless children
The Children's Jacket Makers Union