The Washington herald., 1917-10-01
= HEARD
a swA AaNpesc
sssssl )ROME.
Speaking in BiIIions.

Speaking In Billions.
The last blue book published by
your Uncle Samuers government dis
closed that on his pay roll we're
some SSH employees scattered all over
the world and drawing an aggregate
yearly salary of less than $500. 600.
That was the work Of peace, then.
and the sum seemed large. Political
par ties even made 1t an issue be-
tween them. and Congressmen some
times talked long and persuasiveIy
on it.
But how it dwindles when one
thinks Of the work OF war and of
the fact that on Uncle SANS pay
roll there may sooner or later be
millions Of men. civilian and military
and earning in the aggregate many
times more than is shown in the
forgotten blue book.
A few years ago Congressmen
taught their constituents that il was
best to think in hundreds Of thousands
and that millions were in prohibitive
territory. Many men now in Congress
in fact most of 'em-actually spoke
with awe OF these huge amounts, and
days upon days were devoted to par
ing bills SO that the people of the
country at large would know that
they were doing the work along
economical lines. Now the same Con-
gIessmen talk with facility Of billions
-triilions seem closer than they ever
have before. They used to inhabit
the moon SO far as Congress was
corcerned-now they are no farther
away than the Maine woods and rapi-
dly drawing nearer.
But Congress-and how the members
have talked about this hour after
hour in the quiet of their rooms ana
in their small groups-has grown with
the size of the appropriations. The
members understand il all. They
know what brought on the change.
They are ready to explain fully TO
the few constituents who. unlike the
majority of the constituents, have
not kept with the procession OF de-
mocracy. Democracy. IL you weIe 10
ask most any of the Congressman.
comes high. But IT is worth il. Blood
and money must buy ii, but blood will
Re safe when democracy is brought to
the world, and plenty OF money will
be made hereafter because democracy
will have triumphed.
Exemption Board Duties.
Exemption boards the country over
ale hopeful that they will be per-
mitted to continue their work until
all the registered men are examined
and their exemption cases are heard
and Uettled.
This is the word coming to Con-
gress and to Provost Gen. Marshal
Crowder's office, and in view of this
an early statement is expected which
will settle the matter definitely.
Despite the fact that hundreds and
thousands of members of the local
boards are serving at great sacrifices
tc themselves there are only a small
proportion of them asking to be re-
lieved of their duties. Most OF the
first officers chosen are willing 10
see the work through, providing. Of
course. that the balance of the men
come before them at once. II the
work is dlaEeed on, and the men
are brough in lot by lot, It is thought
that Ll effort will be made by many
Of the b1a;d members to be excused
from service.
An cfficer Of the Provost Marshals
ONCE stated today that some OF the
exemption officials are claiming thai
It is decidedly 'inconvenient" to serve.
They want TO set rid of their du-
ties, not only because they are weary
ing. but Lecame the board members
in each community are required to
90 couraSeously some OF the most
distasteful things they have ever been
compelled &c co
This officer ;aiu that this should oe