Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-19
TEN BILLION DOLLAR JOB
That, at Least, Was Amount OF eusi.
ness One Man Had TO Handle Dur
Ing the War-Some Notes
Of Notabies
BY GEORGE NON Mccain

BY GEORGE NON MCCAIN
GEORGE w. Il. HICKS. Of the Chamber
~ of Commerce. who was active in war
work in Washington, tells me of some uu
usual experiences.
He went to Washington TO take charge OF
the distribution of cable messages. His duty
was to soc that all cables passing between
the officers in the field aud the quartcrmas
tcrs Office were dccoded and forwarded to
their proper departments. He handled orders
for supplies and munitions that exceeded in
value 10000, ,000. 900. 7 think this places
MIR. Hicks at the head of his class in the
world. That is, as handler Of big bust
ness.
His success in this work gained him rec
ognition and he was advanced to inspector in
charge of shipments.
His odd experiences would make a capital
book of short stories. One of the first things
he discovered in the tremendous rush to get
supplies and munitions across was that they
were sending big vessels to light draft ports.
This was soon rcmedicd. Another result Of
haste was the failure to load vessels to their
full capacity.
One day in an American port he saw
transport ready to sail with her load line
high above the water. He learned that
part of the cargo was empty barrels. After
that no more barrels we're shipped empty to
the other side. They were filed with oats
after the heads had been taken out. The
heads were inserted after the oats had been
disposed of at their foreign destination
It cost the government $4,000 day for
certain vessels held up or delayed over there.
Ordinarily they were unloaded rapidly Then
perhaps they would wait several days for
ballast
Some of these ships carried machinery for
future use at base depots near the coast.
Mr.. Hickss department was one day notified
that certain ships would be compelled TO
wait several days for ballast. II was costly
wastage at $1,000 for each twenty four
hours delay. Not all the machinery had
been unloaded, so the officers were instructed
TO return with as much machinery left in
the hold as was necessary for ballast. The
machinery made the round ocean trip and
was discharged on the return voyage.
DR. II. Il. WARREN. attired in loose
- fitting summer suit and Teuang hat, ap-
pears occasionally on the downtown streets
of Philadelphia. He tells me that he runs
up to the city from his home il West Chester
about once week
For years the doctor was economic zoolo-
noted ornithologists in the United States.
] recall that just prior to tho Worlds
Fair in 1898 Doctor Warren prepared the e1-
hibit Of Pennsylvania birds aud mammals
for the exhibition.
In big upper room in the Postotfice
Building in Harrisburg he constructed q
papier maChe mountain. On this in natural
poses and amid simulated natural surround
ings he arranged the exhibit.
The mimic mountain was then taken down
shipped to Chicago and reassembled in the
Agricultural Building. 1t was unique and
attracted general attention. The doctor re-
ceivcd medals and diplomas. | believe. for
the exhibit, and also for his rcma rkable skill
as a taXidermist.
The lasting monument to his scientific
work is his famous Birds of Pennsylvania" ;"
1t was the subject of controversy when it
first appeared. Its numerous plates were in
color and it was costly publication. 1t was
a beautiful book.
1t is to be found today in all the leading
libraries of this country and Europe and is
regarded as a rare and valuable work by
bookIovers. Copies of it are scarce and
quoted at a high figure.
STATE LIBRARIAN THOMAS LYNCH
- MONTGOMERY whose acquaintance
with books is not eXcelled by his acquaint-
ance with men, was recalling some facts
about Andrew Carnegie the other day.
They had to do principally with the dedi-
cation of the Carnegie Institute in Pitts
burgh. There were educators. scientists and
university men present from all parts of the
world. Japan, South Africa, Russia and
other far distant lands sent delegates No
university of any standing, no scientist of
any note, was overlooked.
when I arrived in Pittsburgh, said Mr..
Montgomery, Il was met at the station by
a very courteous gentleman. He inquired my
name and introduced himself as the per-
soral representative of Mr.. Carnegie. From
that time until ! left Pittsburgh, was in
formed. ! was the guest of Mr.. Carnegie"
1t was the most remarkable affair that he
had over attended, Mr.. Montgomery said.
In a way It impaired powerful impetus to
scientific study and investigation throughout
the world. Delegates carried back the news
Of the great institution founded by the
Pittsburgh ironmaster and it had the eff
feet of stimulating other countries and cities
to emulate his example.
The most remarkable feature of the af-
fair was tho banquet at the Schenley Hotel.
There were 300 guests. The menu was per
haps the most remarkable ever seen in
PENNSYLVANIA. The rarest and most ex-
pcnsive dishes were set before the guests of
honor. The service was perfect: personal
attendant for every three guests.
"That dinner must have cost a fortune"
said Montgomery with a sigh at the thought
of its departed glory.
WHILE the state librarian %as describing
w this modern feast of Lucullus, my mem
ory for an instant fitted back to another
banquet. 1t was arranged and disposed Of in
the space of half an hour. 1t took place
on the eastern shore of Bering sea.
With Mail Inspector Krause, Of the
Alaskan route. I visited an Eskimo settle
ment near the mouth of the Yukon river
We walked a mile across the tundra The
Eskimos had pitched their summer encamp-
ment above high water mark. There were
half dozen fimsy tents sheltering as many
families.
We we're made welcome in pantomime and
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