The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-12-06

exceedingly modest position, and an
equally modest mien. 1t seemed a
shame to ask this man, who was probab-
lY struggling to support wife and six
children on the stipend of a clerkship,
to invest his scant savings in bonds.
But fearing that he might feel injured
if ne was overlooked, entirely, one of
the committee finally approached him
on the matter.
What can you really afford, Bill?''
was his conciliating question. Bill took
out bank book and did little figuring.
Il guess that can take three hun
dred thousand worth now-maybe a
little more later on" Bill explained.
Of course the traditional seedy gov
eminent clerk is still with US, although
his seediness has been somewhat mitigat-
ed by raises of salary; but in many of
the wartime organizations there is
plenty of material evidence that lex
pense is no object" Such indispensable
] NhbNA pl 40 Vic 1NCu NIUSS, anu OIUETE
which have been organized without aid
from the regulargovernment machinery,
have an especially prosperous look.
Nor are they undermined. Even the
corridors of their establishments are
crowded with well groomed and in
dustrious volunteer workers. 1t might
be added that neither are they under
womaned. The seeker after informa-
ton often finds that the incumbent of
some desk with an imposing title is a
member of the more intuitive sex who
keeps a surprising number of facts and
IDEAS under hat of the very latest
style
The part that big business is playing
in the organization of America for war
is now well known. The public, after a
momentary shock, has become accustom-
ei to the idea that one of Wall Street $
most spectacular plungers is engaged in
periodically cornering what the gov
eminent needs in the way of metals;
that a railroad president trained in long
warfare with the Interstate Commerce
Commission is now one of it's most
trusted allies in solving the problemn of
traffic to which the war has given rise;
that one of the greatest retail mer-
chants in America has placed his ex-
pert judgment in the matter of un-
shrinkable woolens at the disposal of
the President.
Less familiar is the extent to which
the artistic and intellectual classes have
rallied round the war standard. One
single war organization which has for
its purpose to give the public correct
information about what the govern
ment is doing and intends to do has
taken unto itself the cream of the
journalistic world A man who has
delighted public Of more than a mil
hon with his humorous verse and short
stories accepted job bulleting the
progress Of administrative activity.
Posters depicting the lessons of food
conservation and the necessity for buy
ing bonds are drawn by an artist who
has covered acres of magazine cover
with chromatic visions of girlish lowell
ness. Another patriotic poster ARTIST
was formerly a great scene painter, and
from force of habit does all of his work
at night, greeting his chief in the
morning with tousled hair and red eyes
and wonderful designs worked out in
the still small hours.
Everywhere in the government world
it is the same; talent not to say genus
is there in force. 1t is always well to
ponder over the name of an official with
whom you have business, and perhaps
look it up in who's Who, - for it may
be household word, and TO betray
ignorance of the fact would be most
unfortunate.
Brains are indisputably having their
innings in the business of government.
Above the grade of stenographer,
mediocrity has become almost rare
enough to constitute a distinction: and
whatever mistakes may be made
certainly cannot be blamed upon 1t.