Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-20

Il
tort. She did not want to be an apt
( pupil. She did not in the least intend
to be of any assistance in promoting
economy and efficiency.
Mr.. Hedge sought to pursue his ad.
4 vantage.
"You children must understand" he
said in friendly tone, that while
have certain fixed ideas and standards,
and that while my profession proceeds
along certain well-defined lines, 1t is
not necessarily complete science.
shall always be glad to receive sug-
gestions, provided that they conform
to the general theory and principles OF
scientific management. l want you to
feel free to come to me at any time
on such matters.
And in all matters, so far as that Is
concerned, I expect, Of course, that
you children will make me your con-
fldent and adviser"
"You children The expression
4 caused the three Brookes to writhe in
their chairs. Why, this interlooper was
scarcely older than Billy Brooke!
To disguise his confusion the latter
person lighted a cigarette. Unknown
to Billy, Hedge was watching the pro-
ceeding narrowly.
Twill you kindly explain to me-" he
said suddenly, "why you wave match
eight times In order to extinguish it?'
Billy gaped at him.
"You waved it eight times-so." de-.
clared Hedge, illustrating Waste en-
ergy. An unnecessary physical effort
that might better be employed. l ex-
tinguish a match-so."
He lighted one, waited until the
flame had firmly caught the wood,
then held it few inches from his lips
and pulled gently.
~Waste Of wind" exclaimed Billy
tr1umphantly.
Not at all. It was necessary for me
to expel my breath. merely took ad-
.Sntage Of an Inevitable by-product.''
2he Hedge person was thus far i'm
1ervious. He had an annoying advan'
tags.
'Now, as to this ROOM" he remark
cd, glancing about. 81 take it that, I'M
der normal conditions, it is utilized
but three times a day. during meals,
and then only by four persons"
Sometimes three" amended Con-
stance. Father is never home at
luncheon"
Exactly" nodded Hedge, "and the
room Is large enough for forty, instead
Of four persons. It represents an 1ntol-
cradle waste-an investment when
yields no return
what would you suggest?" inquired
Billy frigidly.
1T is problem I shall study.
merely call your attention to 1t as an
evidence of unscientif1c extravaganza.
1t represents an idea that want you
to think about" ~
Alice frightened.
"We might take boarders," she said.
-Thera,Xas an awful. silence, during
which Constance and Billy eyed their
substitute father furtively. But again
he was impervious, although this time
he did not twist the suggestion into
text for lecture. He ignored 1t. Glanc-
ink at his watch with quick move
ment, he looked across the table at
Contance.
1--WE will rise, IL you please" he said.
The Brookes rose mechanically, as
though 1t were quite useless to of1er
resistance. Besides, dinner was over.
II should like to examine the other
apartments on this door," announced
Hedge
Constance, naturally assuming the
lead, headed the procession out OF the
dining room. She touched button at
The entrance to an apartment across
Il With light. The efficiency man ex-
smtnsd IT. nch furniture critically.
From . pocket he had produced
H., hIo1,
Z proceeded to make a few brief en-
sWhat do you can this room? he ask
Nothing particular answered Con-
s&anco; ut IL used to receive guests,
occasionally Tor dances or other enter
tatnmsnts."
''Paraor." observed Hedge, making
notA
n 10 not parfor." retortsd Con-
Sesoos coadly. "Parlors are vulgar"
Nevertheless, the maker Of notes
made NO erasuye. Instead, he stepped
across the room and paused on the
tArsshuid Of smaller apartment.
IA music ROOM" explained Cons
stance. beyond IL a conservatory"
Mr.. Hedge made additional notes.
Il wish to see the library again"
he said.
The procession retraced in It's steps,
Mr.. Hedge pausing at the hallway to
extinguish the lights.
ut 10 customary to leave them burn
Ing" said Constance.
Evidently" But he did not turn
them on again.
The library. that apartment into
which the efficiency man had made his
original entrance afforded him an ex-
tended opportunity for study. He in
spected it more infinitely than the
rooms on the other side Of the hall.
He walked from end to end and side
to side. stopping occasionally to ex-
anime a shelf of books.
He took note of the great table in
the center and Of two writing desks
that stood near window.
He observed with slight frown an
innumerable number of electric bulbs,
all glowing softly through their tran
slucent glass. Several of them he turn
cd Ont a he nasSad