The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-05-03
WASHINGTON NEWS GOSSIP

si9ff5
WASHINGTON, d. G., May g
"smilin' George like ~ Little Joe" has
been asked to move on,%9a and, today,
a small kunch.backed darby, with the
most winning smile that has ever
touched visitors hearts around the
State, War and Navy building, Is still
smiling, but, with a suspicious mtsti-
ness, as to the eyes, when his daily
customers ask him about his. removal
to a new stand.
Just thirteen years ago there APP
peared In front OF the State, War and
Navy building deformed and crippled
colored boy who offered to "shine yo'
shoes, sab" With such an fngratiating
smile, that he Immediately won the
attention Of the habitues OF the great
government building, employees and
officials alike. and was Immediately
given the sobriquet Of Smiling
George"
He never lost his smile, was never
too busy to be polite and picked up
just enough OF the daily diplomatic
and political life OF, the Capital from
his customers, to make his comments
on political situations and crises In.
teresting to visitors. There were days
that first year when the first cold wind
blew over Washington. that the pa
thetic, little figure WINGED and shud-
dered from pains as he painstakingly
restored the shien to the boots of his
official patrons. s.....
Although there was no complaint on
his part they soon saw that the cold
winter would make it impossible for
their little friend to continue his work
-out.of.doors without great suffering.
An appeal was made to the Secretary
OF War, who had already noticed
Smiling George" and the result was
that he was given the use Of one of
the small corridors Of the basement,
where some share OF the governments
surplus warmth might be his during
the winter.
The business grew. In time George
became so crippled that he installed
another small darby as bootblack,
while he sold chocolate and fruits to
employees OF the building
George never missed day In all
these years. No one has ever seen
him cast down or in the least depress-
ed, although there were times when
those who knew him best, could tell
that the pain was pretty bad as he
might acknowledge when questioned.
But Smiling George" saved money.
In addition to looking after himself he
supported an aged father and mother,
the latter dying but few years ago,
Last week his father passed into the
Great Beyond. and, when the doctors
bill. the funeral expenses and all were
paid, Georges small savings were
wiped out, and he came back to work
to start at the bottom again.
On the day he first returned, there
was handed to him an official looking
document bearing the embossed seal
OF the War Department. Senator'S,
congressman, officers In the army and
visitors by the hundreds had befriend-
ed him heretofore, and many had stop
ped to express to him their sympathy
in this hour OF his bereavement, so he
naturally supposed that even the great
head OF the department had sent him
some note OF sympathy.
When 1t was opened, however, 1t
proved to be an order commanding
his immediate removal from the build:
ing, and no reason was given for the
command.
Friends OF Smiling George" have
taken the matter up with the higher
officials but, SO far, with little success.
beyond the statement that it has seem
ed best to the newly elected supervis.
Of the building Lieut.. Col. Hart. -.
George still smiles. but, from the
dazed expression in his eyes, one can.
not help feeling that the 'movin' on"
is the most serious calamity that has
ever come to him in his pain'burdened
and grief.saddened existence.
A number Of reports are soon to be
issued from the office Of the federal
trade commission, which are intended
to put into available form for the bus
lness men Of the country the reports
of investigations of business and the
decisions OF the board as to trade con-
ditions. The first of these was issued
this week. a report on farm machinery
and it is to be followed by five others
which will deal with the investigation
OF oil fields, the tobacco industry, the
state corporation laws about which
there have been serious complaints;
a compilation and digest Of the laws
Of all states. and compilation and d.
gest Of all the trust and trade laws In
the countries OF the world.