davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1916-08-27

rating upon all these elements by ex-
aminers trained in the weighing anu
averaging Of qualifications. usually as
sisted by an expert in the kind of work
or field knowledge with which the
prospective appointee viii be required
to deal.
The rating is gauged by the tests
of education. experience, reports and
the position of valuation analyst for
the interstate commerce commission,
for instance, was rated on the follow
ing subjects, which had the relative
weights indicated: Education, 80; ex-
perience, 80: reports and writings. 40.
These individual examinations are
invariably supplemented by confidential
inquiries into the applicants career.
and these inquiries are regarded as
a recognized and accredited part of
the examination of a candidate for
How has the civil service commits
sion met the governments require
ments for the examination of spe-
cialists for the new positions opening
almost weekly to the public?
The examining division of the civil
service commission is in itself corps Of
experts skilled by years of experience
in the preparation Of examination pa
Evening star., 1916-08-27

1Q shore Of s's: the Potomac po s"s ' between
JD) Piscataway and Mattawoman
creeks, has certain claims to
consideration in a historic sense. 1t
IL about two miles below or south
west of Fort Washington, for the Po-
tomac after flowing due south from
Washington city makes a sharp west
ward turn at the old fort
Bryans point is not as sharp and
distinct as points" on the Potomac C
river generally are. but there round
ed shore projects a short distance be-
yond the shore line on the east and
the west.
The main roads from the District of
Columbia leading to the numerous
towns and villages on the Potomac side
of the southern Maryland peninsula
do not pass within three or four miles
of Bryans point. and the steamboats, on
which most Washingtonians travel,
when they do travel on the Potomac
river, do not stop at this interesting
point is only twelve miles from Wash
ington. few OF the city's people ramble
that way.
Along the south side of Piscataway
creek and along the Potomac river
southwest OF the mouth of that creek
there is an irregular border of low
land with an average width of about
half mile. At this time it is green
with growing crops. On this margin OF
land the geoloSists say that it is the
Talbot formation of the Columbia
group Of pIeis,ocene age-"ciayey
loan occupying the upper portion OF
the formation. carrying gravel layers
and scattered boulders. the lower hall
composed usually of clay, sand. gravel
and boulders."
From this fat land lofty and
wooded ridge rises. broken by a great
Evening star., 1916-08-27

are university professors in the chief
institutions of learning throughout the
country while others are men who have
achieved recognized success in sctentinc
professions.
This corps of chosen specialists, num-
bering perhaps half a hundred. are
known as expert examiners. The sub
jects of which they are master embrace
wide field and include among many
other branches civil. hydro-electric.
structural, chemical, mechanical, high
way. mining and sanitary engineering.
agronomy, bacteriology. chemistry, in
chemistry, chemistry cf explosives. of
petroleum, of forest products. ETC.; en-
tonology, railway accounting. paper
making. quarry technology. radio-activ-
ity, etc.
To retain this class of special exam
iners for the value of their assistance
in rating the work of experts Congress
has granted a small appropriation for
the use of the commission in paying
these expert examiners. The compen-
sation for this work is merely nomi-
nal. However, these authorities and
experts have given generously of their
time and abilities in serving the gov
ernment in their expert capacities. They
seem to welcome the opportunity to
render a public service by helping to
obtain for the federal service the best
men available for its scientific and
technical work.
1t is believed to be a fair statement
that the government receives greater
value in return for the amount ex-
pended for expert examiners than for
almost any other item of expense under
the head of personal service.
A prominent official of the civil serv
ice commission, in referring to the fee
paid the special examiners. said that 1t
reminded him somewhat of an incident
which occurred in the departmental
service some time ago. when a certain
rich young man, who had secured a
position in a scientific bureau because
of his interest in certain line of work.
upon being reminded Of pay day, re-
marked, Il forgot there was a salary"
The examinations along special lines
for government service are receiving
the attention of highly qualified appli-
cants more and more each year." said
Mr.. H. A. Hesse. chief of the examin-
ing division of the civil service COM
mission. Work for the government
makes a romantic appeal to many men
OF high grade. and our corps of govern
ment experts makes an eniinently dis
tinguished group.
While the force of experts employed
as special examiners has inspired the
confidence of the public and of intend
ing applicants. the commission is
wholly responsible for the character of
the examinations and for the correct
ness of the ratings. The examiners in
this Office are trained in the essentially
judicial function Of weighing the evil
dence Of qualifications and no one can
judge of general averages as fairly as
they can. In this respect this division
assumes full responsibility for all the
examining work coming under the
jurisdiction of the civil service commits
sion."
Evening star., 1916-08-27

the war. and William Page Bryan died
five or six years ago at Providence Hos
pital, Washington. and is buried in the
lot at St Mary's Church. Piscataway.
The third child of William Bryan
and Susannah Lanham was Eleanor.
who married Walter p. Griffin. and they
are buried in the churchyard of ST.
Johns Catholic Church at Surratts-
children, one OF whorn is Repre-
sentative Mudd of the fifth Maryland
district.
The fourth child Of William and Su
sannah Bryan, was James Ford Soth-
oron Bryan, who married Miss Fran
els Barry. the daughter of David Barry,
who owned that large tract on the
Eastern branch called St Elizabeth, on
Evening star., 1916-08-27
ar1iest Destiny Of the United States in the Caribbean

might use the canal for the voyage to
the Society Islands coalng at Guada-
loupe, but it was not of very grea.
lonial system France manages to main
tain large share of the trade OF the
islands. yet the tendency is more ana
more to follow the natural geographi1
lines and trade with the United States.
The lesser British islands. which had
good coaling facilities, thought that
they might derive some advantage from
the increased number of vessels whlcn
would be engaged in the Panama trade.
but there was no reason to look for
a material change in trade relations.
Jamaica was the exception, Just as
1t is exception in the strategic
sense. Jamaica felt that her economic
Importance would be increased on ac-
count of the canal because of her geo.
graphical situation. but when 1T came
to trade, the increased trade that was
looked for was*chieay with the United
States.
The economic status of Jamaica
must be considered in all the future
discussion of manifest destiny in tho
Caribbean. Practically the island is as
near to the coast cities of the United
States as to the other British posses
sions in the West Indies. Economio
gravitation draws her to the United
States. Political considerations impel
her to the other British possessions
There is nothing. however. of the
magnet in the attraction of the other
British possessions for Jamaica. She
has so little in common with them that
it is difficult to develop sentiment in
favor of a British West India confeder-
alton. taking in the score of British
island possessions
When her sugar industry went to
ruin 1t was American capitalists who
rehabilitated Jamaica by the develop
ment of the fruit industry. Notwith-
standing the efforts OF the British
steamship lines and the British gov
ernment. the United States is still the
best market for Jamaican products and
will continue to be the best market
In the past. at times when trade was
bad and production limited because of
the lack of market, Jamaica has
talked annexation to the United States.
\ The talk usually died out because no
encouragement was given ii in this
country. But Notwithstanding the
presence of an ultra-loyal British ele-
ment, Jamaica usually was discontent-
ed with being British possession. and
said SO. Sometimes her discomfort took
the form of criticism of the governor
named by the British government.
Since the beginning of the great war
Jamaica has shown herself fully
loyal as other British possessions. and
has contributed her full quota of VOL
unteers, most of them blacks. But when
the war is over the economic situation
again will become the factor that must
be taken into consideration in de-
termining her future.
Evening star., 1916-08-27
Rambler Writes Of Bryans Point the P0toma

1st Maryland Battery, generally known,
after it's second commanding officer, as
Dement'S Battery.
After Appomattoy Robert came back
to Maryland for a short time, and then
went into the far west. prospecting and
mining, for years. Some time in the
late eighties he returned to Maryland for
a visit, returned west. and died at Col
fax, Cal. Sempronia was the seventh
child. and she married Raphael Semmes
of Washington. They have children
and grandchildren living in Washing
ton.
The eighth and last child was Bayne
Bryan, who married Miss Hunter OF
Prince Georges county. He became a
prosperous business man in Buffalo.
and recently retired from active work.
He has several sons and daughters. all
of them well situated in life.
The farm of about 300 acres. adjoin-
ing the Bryan's point fishing shore
fell to the lot of James Ford Sothoron
Bryan, who was known to everybody in
Evening star., 1916-08-27

that part of Maryland as Study"
Bryan. Probably his parents intended
that he should be called Sothoron, but
perhaps some childish lisping tongue
could not pronounce that. and hit upon
what sounded to their elders like Sud
dy.'' He was Study" to his friends
throughout his life.
One of the sons of James Ford Soth-
oron Bryan and Frances Barry is Ar
thur B. Bryan, who married Miss Eliza
beth Clements Of Charles county. They
have two children. Arthur owns and
lives in the old Study" Bryan home
stead. works the old farm. and is the Gus
todian of the fish hatchery.
Other children of "Suddy" Bryan are
James S. Bryan of Washington, Blanch
Bryan, a Sister Of Charity, and Susie.
who married Percy Clements and lives
In Washington. Another child Mary
Eva Bryan, married Richard Bryan, a
distant relative, and lives on some of
the old Bryan estate between the fish
ing shore and Marshall Hall.
Evening star., 1916-08-27
BRYAN HOMESTEAD At BKYAss POINT.

mind back 10 one of the old settlers in
that neighborhood. From this point
ones eye may follow the Maryland
shore TO the wharf at Marshall Hall.
From the river the shoreline appears
to be straight. but follow that shore
afoot and 1t is line that weaves in
and out, there being numerous points
and bays TOO inconspicuous to be called
such on the maps, yet of stupendous
Importance to man who trudges
along the shore and who walks two
miles to gain one mile
Much of this stretch of shore was
Bryans fishing shore and which is now
under lease to the United States. Along
this shore is bank from three or four
feet high to twenty. For most of the
way it is a low bank and here and
there the green fields seem to slope
Evening star., 1916-08-27
HARBOR FRONT AT KINGSTON. JAMAICA.

curve between Porto Rico and the South
American coast.
The South and Central American coast
line sometimes has been called the
Caribbean crescent Politically it fire.
quently has presented the horns of a
dilemma, but the policy of the United
States has been fairly consistent in the
affirma ton of paramount American in
fiuence from the time it discouraged the
British claim to the Mosquito coast of
Nicaragua. until it kindly but firmly
gave both Germany and EeneZula TO
understand that Margarita Island. off
the Venezuelan coast. was not good
place for a German coal.ng station.
Following the acquisition of the Danish
West Indies more immediate interest IS
likely to attach to the island chain than
TO the Caribbean crescent on the MAIN
land.
The majority of the Leeward and the
Evening star., 1916-08-27

however. is not to be determined solely
with reference to the Caribbean cres-
cent of the mainland, or the Cuban cor
nucopia with the extended chain Of is
lands. There are inner islands as we'll
Almost instinctively. following the
news regarding the Danish treaty, a
query was raised about the future of
the coast of Venezuela. Curacao is the
leading one of these islands. 1t is
known for other things than the cordial
of that name.
The Dutch West Indies have some
commercial value, but as a whole they
are a losing proposition to Holland. Oc-
casionally question is asked whether
Holland might not free herself from
them by sale to the United States. The
mooted. because the United States has
never had strong reasons for purchas-
Evening star., 1916-08-27

There are questions of economic re-
sources. of population and of political
sovereignty.
Secretary Knox when at the head of
the State Department caused a series
of reports to be made by the American
consuls on the effect of the Panama
canal. The consular Investigations
were largely of an economic and COM
mercial character, although they did
not ignore the political considerations
In most of the islands it was found
that the increase of trade on account
of the Panama canal was small. The
Leeward and the Windward groups
were really outside its sphere of in
fluence. although they had some i'm
portance as way ports for the Euro
pean steamship lines.
In the case of the French islands
there was some national significance in
the prospect of French vessels which
Evening star., 1916-08-27

number of ravines. down which small
streams grsh. and these streams. after
rushing from the highland, wander
siuggishly over the fiat land until they
pour themselves into the big river.
This ridge is of eocene age, and the
biologists have named the formations
which are mingled there "Nanjemoy''
and Aqua" or the Pamonkey group,
the Nanjemoy being distinguished by
clay. sandy clay. saEI. glauconite and
mari. and the Equia by greensand.
sand and indr>ateds sand.
As one passes down the river 1t is
not long after leaving behind the
wooded blum. rising sheer from the
pebbly shore and on which Fort Foote
stood. that River View comes into the
picture. The abandoned and ruinous
pavilion and dining room are now
Evening star., 1916-08-27

familiar objects to river travellers.
Young trees and wild shrubbery have
grown up along the steep roadway
which was cut from the ianalng TO
the top of the hill.
Before being given the name oftR1ver
View this was Hattons point. so called
after one of the very old and honorable
families of Maryland, whose property
this was. On the south side of this
point there enters the Potomac small
stream with wide mouth, which many
generations ago was variously called
Hattons creek and Swan creek, but
which is laid down on the maps today
as Swan creek.
This is a reminder of the time when
wild swans were plentiful in this 10
oality, fact which is recalled by the
name of more than one stream, for into
the Potomac river near f1eesburg,
Va. flows an important creek which
the Indians called by name equiva-
lent to River of Swans" but which
the early white settlers translated into
Goose creek.
Across the mouth of Swan creek are
the gray walls of Fort Washington,
and on the high level land to which
green slopes lead, are rows .of new
detached brick buildings Then one
crosses the mouth of Piscataway creek,
nearly, if not. quite, a mile wide. The
water though broad is shoal, but in
the times of which the Rambler so
often writes sailing craft navigated
that stream to the wharves of the viii
lage of Piscataway, five miles inland,
and bore cargoes Of tobacco and wheat
to Europe.
Two miles up the creek is the hamlet
of Pennington, and Tniddie-aged wash
ingtonians remember the little steamT
boats Fairy and Virginia of the Pis-
Getaway line, which ran between Alex
andria and Pennington. Only an occa-
sional motor boat disturbs< the calm of
that creek today.
On the south side of Piscataway creek
where it joins the Potomac is Mock
leys point, a name that carries the
Evening star., 1916-08-27

Beauregard and died of yellow fever
at the close of the war, the Rambler
believes at Charleston. or it may have
been Savannah.
In going through the records of the
Old Capitol Prison. at Washir gton. the
Rambler recently came upon the name
of Pliny Bryan. He was a prisoner
there in 1862 and the entry opposite
his name is Spy. Rebel Signal Service %
There is also an entry of the name
William Page Bryan. a younger brother
of Pliny, who was registered as 'pris-
oner of state. without doubt in the rebel
intelligence service"
In spite of the grave charges against
these men they were freed. for. as
already stated, Pliny had a somewhat t
distinguished career till the close of
Evening star., 1916-08-27

American territory The island which
lies between Cuba and Porto Rico, and
which comprises the two countries of
Haiti and Santo Domingo. is not actual
ly American.
But the United States Navy few
months ago. acting under orders from
Washington. ended anarchy in Haiti. set
up a skeleton government with which
a so-called fiscal protectorate was neso-
tiated, which is in effect also political
protectorate that makes Haiti part
of the United States.
Santo Domingo already had a fiscal
treaty, but since this did not prevent
constant revolutions. the navy. acting
under orders from Washington, also in
tervened there. and is running affairs
now.
The Leeward Islands continue the
geographical chain until it links up with
the Windward Islands. which form the
Evening star., 1916-08-27

ing the islands. but as a part Of the
program of eliminating the minor Eu-
ropean powers, by their own consent.
from the West Indies there is certain
to be discussion as to the advisability
of the United States acquiring the
Dutch group.
Jamaica also lies within the island
chain. isolated geographically from the
other British possessions. Strategical-
ly. it has importance, both with ref
erence to the Panama canal and to the
whole Caribbean area. The British ma
val station at Port. Royal, opposite
Kingston, serves as something more
than a coaling station. 1t is the strateg-
ic base of the British fleet.
Since the Danish treaty raises nu-
merous questions about the future of
the Caribbean it may be well to con-
slider something else besides naval
bases and guarding the Panama canal
Evening star., 1916-08-27
The Penalty.

THE late Mrs. Hetty Green. though
u worth $15o.ooo,OO0. was against
votes for women.
At luncheSn in Bellows Falls suf-
fragette once shouted:
Think of 1t, Mrs. Green! The keeper
of every low BOOKING ken has a vote
and haven't"
Yes, but" said Mrs. Green. "the
keeper of the BOOKING ken has to shut
up every night at midnight"
Evening star., 1916-08-27

which the Government Hospital for
the Insane was established. and on
which a number of settlements have
grown on what is carried in the plat
book of the District, as Barry Farm" "
William Page Bryan married MISS
Virginia Scott of Washington, daush-
ter of Thomas A. Scott of Washington
They lived at Bryan Hall for many
years. but, with the exception OF one
daughter, their children are living in
Washington The sixth child of Will
liam and Susannah Bryan was Robert
BRYAN, who went off to the war in 1861.
and served until Appomattox in the
Evening star., 1916-08-27
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

6OHE treaty for purchase of the
III Danish West Indies has raised
some of the old questions about
x manifest destiny in the Carib-
bean II the Latin American countries,
in the discussion of the subject. there
is an undertone of inquiry. In the
United States there is simply the as
sumption that manifest destiny will
take care of itself.
The Latin American viewpoint takes
into consideration both geography and
political considerations. 1t starts with
the sequel to the Spanish-American
war, which was the practical protec-
torate over Cuba and the actual ac-
QUESTION of Porto Rico by the United
States.
Few persons read current news with
a map before them. For that reason
many do not understand why the in
corporation of the Danish West Indies
should be considered as an extension
of American territorial influence which
will go on extending along geographi-
cal lines. They have vague notions of
what constitutes the Caribbean area.
For the benefit of Typographical
readers, 1t may be explained that the
West Indian Islands. or the Greater
Antilles and Lesser Antilles. form
sort of causeway between the northern
and the southern continents. 1t is not
a very long stretch from the western
end of Cuba to the northeastern point
of Yucatan.
The passage is known as the Yucatan
channel. 1t joins the waters of the
Gulf of Mexico with those of the Carib-
bean sea.
Cuba sometimes has been described
as cornucopia. Just at present, with
the abundant sugar crop and the high
price obtained on account of the Euro
pean war. it is true horn of plenty,
but this happy economic state has little
to do with the geographic horn, with
the narrow end at the Yucatan passage
and the mouth at the Windward pas
sage. where is situated the American
naval station of Guantanamo.
Believers in manifest destiny think
chiefly of Cuba as the base for Guam
tanamo and the current discussion has
not ignored the palpable circumstance
that the harbor of St Thomas is a
strategic acquisition with reference to
the Caribbean sea and the Panama
canal.
In the political sense the connecting
link between Cuba and the American
territory of Porto Rico. and prospective
ly of the Danish West Indies, is not
Evening star., 1916-08-27

Windward islands. extending from the
Danish group to Trinidad, are British.
Antigua is little known to people in the
United States. but a historic interest
has made Nevis and st. Kits known be-
cause Of Alexander Hamilton.
X *
Martinique and Guadaloupe are the
French possessions. They are governed
under the French colonial system. The
population which survived Mont Pele is
French in tradition and association.
The patois spoken by the blacks is also
French. The islands themselves have
no great strategic Importance.
Beyond the French group stretch
Santa Lucia. the Barbados, Trinidad
and some lesser islands.
Manifest destiny in the Caribbean,
Evening star., 1916-08-27
MR.. H. A. HESSE,

Chief of examining division, civil serv-
Ice commission.
pers, and in their rating. In the case
of the technical examination Of ex-
perts, however, they do not rely alto
gether upon their own knowledge Of the
requirements for positions of impor-
tance under the government. To further
their efficiency in the examination of
specialists they have a corps OF experts
whose technical knowledge is brought to
bear upon the examining of specialists.
To supplement this corps of experts
there is a subsidiary force which may
be called upon at will This consists of
group of men outside of the service
Of the>government who have attained to
positions OF eminence upon special sub
jects. Many Of these outside specialists
Evening star., 1916-08-27
ARTHUR BRYAN, CUSTODIAN OF FISH

gently to the tawney sand and gravel
shore. For long stretches the bank
shines yellow in the sumner sun, but
there are also long stretches that are
veiled under mask of green wild
shrubbery. Near the shore are several
brightly painted new houses and barns
and then some old houses and warped
and weathered barns. The slopes of
the ridge arc green clothed with trees
which screen many old homes, but here
and there an old house stands in IL
patch of cleared land and stares boldly
at you.