The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-04-13
ROOT AND TEDDY
BURIED RATCHET
DEMOCRATS URGING ACTION TO
EXTEND CIVIL SERVICE TO
ALL PoSTMASTERS
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY HEART BREAKER
Correspondent Says, "He Who Puts
Much Dependence on War News
Apt to Be Deceived"


Brookings Register Bureau, Washington, DC.
(By j. +. jones'
The Minimum Wage
The Nolan bill provides for a mini
mum wage of $50 per month for en-
ployees of the federal government. The
hearings on the bill have developed
some startling conditions in the public
service. Although the standards of
living and general wage scales have
been changed time and again to meet
conditions in the business world, many
laborers employed by Uncle Sam, are
ifty-fve years ago. A grave digger at
Arlington cemetery was brought before
the committee, and it was found that
he has been receiving $40 per month.
On this sum he attempts to support a
large family. 1t develops that this nan
has been providing the last resting
places for generals, admirals and other
military heroes to whose memories
beautiful monuments have been erect
ed. The investigation also discloses
that there are a great many people in
the government service for 1920 per
annum, with no probabilities Of in
creased pay. Considerable pressure is
being used in the hopes hat Congress
will set an example to the rest Of the
nation, by establishing a minimum
wage that will provide at least a de-
cen living for it's most mental en-
~ployees.
Roosevelt and Root
Former President Roosevelt and
former Senator Root have resumed
their former fraternal feeling. A care.
fully pre-arranged plan resulted in
having the news that they had buried
the Ratchet" printed simultaneously in
the newspapers throughout the coun-
try. A great deal Of political signlfi-
canoe has been attached to the event,
but astute political observers in Wash
ington say that the little dinner party
participated in by the Colonel and Mr..
Root, at which Senator Lodge and
Maior-General Wood were also guests,
makes a pretty little story, but the
affair is not likely to influence the
manner of voting of any of the dele
gates to the Republican Convention.
Presidential Honeymooning
During the past few weeks the presi-
dents yacht "Mayfower" has been
Communicated for frequent trips down
the Potomac with the President and
Mrs. Wilson on board. This is an en-
tirely new departure in the Presidents
habits, as he never has shown any in
terest in the "Mayfower" heretofore.
But likely a President can honeymoon
with as much enthusiasm as any other
kind of a lover-and there's nothing
like a luxurious yacht or steamboat
out in the ocean wide, when it comes
to that delightful kind of vacationing
for loves young dream.
Civil Service for Postmasters
Just before President Taft went out
of Office Republican politicians were
insisting on %blanketing postmasters
jected very s%trenuously, but now hav-
ing shifted the shoe onto the other
foot, prominent members Of the Demo
cratic party are urging action to ex-
tend Civil Service so that it will take
care of their dear friends who have
been selling postage stamps since their
appointment by the Wilson admins
tration.
Many a Heart is Breaking
The presidential primaries are de-
veloping many unexpected things. Here
in Washington where most Of those
who have presidential ambitions are
residing there is evidence that many a
heart is breaking not after the Ball"
but after the votes are counted.
Routes Of War News
We get some or the Omcdi Reports IN
Washington from which it appears that
the most startling set-backs concerning
the British, French and Russians, are
contained in the reports from Berlin.
Germany's internal troubles are told in
reports from London. In like manner
tn reasons for military activity in Hol-
land are laid to the Germans by the
British, and vice versa. Even in our
own Mexican mix-up the news is dis
torted beyond recognition since most
of the dispatches are from everywhere
except points at which authentic infor-
nation is available. He who puts