davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1919-12-28
Extra and Permanent Clerks.

In letting out the surplus clerks Of
the war risk bureau, several hundred
of whom are now being "furloughed," !"
to, use a term familiar in department.
al circles here some years ago, the
government is pursuing helpful pol
icy of finding new employment for
those mustered out Of the civilian
service. This is rather a remarkable
achievement. Not many employers
who find it necessary to reduce their
forces take the trouble to get new
jobs for those they can no longer use.
It is most gratifying to find this
spirit now prevailing in the depart
mental administration.
If the same thoughtfulness for the
welfare Of the government employees
were to prevail generally Congress
would quickly pass a retirement
measure making provision for the
sustenance Of the superannuated civil
service workers. Such system would
not cost much in the gross and would
actually net the government gain in
increased efficiency. So much prog
ress has been made toward the enact
ment during the last decade that
every year seems to be most promis-
ing for its fulfillment. There should
be no question this year.
In a short time the government
service will have been shaken down
to a permanent basis. The war bu-
reaus will have been reduced from
their sudden expansion so that all in
cumbents will be on the fixed rolls.
A retirement system could then be
put into operation without injustice
to the government. To this end the
committees of Congress which have
this project under consideration
should seek to get action in both
houses before the close Of the pres
ent session.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

From ne New Yesk Times.
one good thing should como out OF
the INQUIRY, ana that il q more satis-
factory system Of making the awards.
II would be we'll to have the service
or heroism deserving recognition made
more definite. Thirteen Of the officers
recommended by Admiral Sims for
the distinguished service medal re-
ceived the Navy cross, which indi-
the board Of awards. The Navy cross
IL less valued. There was no meet
ing Of the minds Of Admiral Sims and
Admiral Knight and his associates
in regard to the quality of the serv-
ices of these thirteen officers. So
Evening star., 1919-12-28
THE PROPOSED NAVY MEDALS INQUIRY.

there is need Of more careful defini.
tion. While the admiral could only
recommend. he obviously knew more
about the performances Of his officers
than did the board Of awards. On
the other hand. the composition of
the board should be regulated perhaps
the choice Of the head of the Navy
Department, which is apparently the
case. It is clear that the Secretary
could disregard the conclusions Of the
board at will. Should any superior
There would be little room for con-
troversy IL the board made all de-
cisions subject only to appeal to the
President
Evening star., 1919-12-28
POLITICS At HOME.
Jackson Day and the Third Term.

As Jackson day approaches. curl
osity increases as to whether the Pres
ident will improve the occasion of the
banquet scheduled for this town and
take the public into his confidence on
the subject of a third term. Many
democrats are hoping to hear from
him then, and in terms so explicit,
everybody win be fully advised.
These men reason in this way: Un-
til the President speaks, hesitation
will mark the course Of number of
democrats of presidential size with
eyes turned White Houseward. They
ought not to be kept longer halted if
it is his purpose not to stand again,
but encouraged to toss their hats into
the ring and show themselves, giving
the party and the country ample time
six months-for appraising their
merits for leadership. They them
selves are anxious for the chance.
There will be danger in delay. If
the President leaves the matter open
until national convention time, and
then withholds the use of his name, or
declines the nomination if one is
made, great confusion, and maybe dis
aster, will result. Confusion in the
convention will inevitably follow if
there il a rush Of candidates at the
last moment, and disaster in the cam
paign will follow if the nominee is
forced thus to carry a second hand
banner, 50 to say-a banner passed up
by the President.
Memories of 1896 are working. Mr..
Cleveland wanted q third term the
very worst way, and many of his
friends wanted him to have it. They
were so blind in their devotion, they
could not see until the scales were
Knocked from their eyes that their
hero would be quite impossible at the
convention that year. Then it was
too late to remedy the harm that had
been done. The suggestion Of another
nomination for Mr.. Cleveland had
prevented a careful pre-convention
canvass of the party's presidential re-
sources, and the lifting of the barrier
late in the day resulted in the bring
ing forward of a number of medi-
ocrities, some Of them absolutely un-
associable with the presidency.
Then siege began. Divided among
q lot of men in whom no great num-
Der Of the delegates had much in.
terest in any particular one, the
convention fell into a snarl and
finally into a sullen deadlock, when,
presto! q visitor from the press gal
lery was introduced for a speech, and
with a speech 50 eloquent and grip
ping the convention was thrown into
Hconniptions," the visitor won the
nomination.
Lesson, as some democrats not Of
the Bryan school read: An open field
in pre-convention time, and an open
contest when convention time arrives
and nominations are in order.
Evening star., 1919-12-28
SHOOTING STARS.
~ PmLANDER JOHNSON.

49, Bygones.
We are through with all tho merry
salutation
That is customary round the
. Christmas tree.
We are due for just another celebra-
With Happy New Year hsppy o.
can be.
We have had a share Of holiday and
dreaming
OF innocent and iridesoent mifth,
Where myths and other fairy folks
were teeming.
And now it's time for getting back
to earth. .. E..
We've got to talk about the cost Of
living,
And how to keep the railroads on
the move;
Of charges We must hear, with much
nisgiving,
That it would take Q century "a
prove.
We've got 70 hustle IN the hurly.
burly-
It almost justifes . passing tear
There will be NO further mention Of
SHOP early" ~
Nor "Merry Christmas" for another
year.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

John Sharp Williams desires to
know whats the matter with the
United States Senate" Tho same
question used to be asked about Kan
sas. The Senate may take heart by
noting how brilliantly Kansas sur
vived all its difficulties.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Promoter Lenin and Press Agent
Trotsky must by this time perceive
the hopelessness Of their efforts to
make bolshevism popular.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Several gentlemen are demanding
that the United States Senate be
abolished. As the late W. Shakespeare
put it, "Hates any man the thing he
would not killf"
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Citizens who in the past devoted a
large share of their energies to @hat-
ing the railroad" are beginning to
suspect that the railroads have been
sufficiently punished. ..
Evening star., 1919-12-28

The letter carrier will not look for
ward to q comparative rest until st.
Valentine is ready to intrust pictorial
compliments to his care.
Evening star., 1919-12-28
Mr.. Marshall Not a Seeker.

This is what Vice President Mar
shall tells the homo folks at Indian
apolis, and through them the coun-
try:
HT am not a candidate for any
Office. do not propose to enter any
primary for President, but nobody
knows, least Of all myself, what
course Of conduct would be pursued
in the improbable event Of factional
fights and inability in the democratic
convention to make q nomination
among tho candidates which would re-
ceive the whole-hearted support Of
the party"
And yet, Notwithstanding this an
nouncement that he is a candidate
for no Office, Mr.. Marshall enjoys at
present the distinction Of figuring in
popular discussion in connection with
three Offices.
First the Office he now holds. There
seems to be NO dissent from the
proposition that il Mr.. Wilson is re-
nominated Mr.. Marshall should, and
win, be, too. Tho cry will be the old
ticket, tho whole ticket, and nothing
but the ticket. In that event Mr. Mar.
shall viii, Of course, accept. He could
not wen decline.
Second, there Is talk about Mr..
Marshau for first place in case Mr..
Wilson refuses the use Of his name
again. Tho argument is that Indiana
Il an important state in the demo-
cratic equations, and tho fact is that
Mr.. Marshall Is the most important
democrat in the state. There. is none
to dispute his supremacy. He is first,
and the rest nowhere. If Indians is to
be recognized ut tho democratic na.
tionA convention next year it must
be through him.
Third, the Office Of United States
senator is mentioned as one that
would 6t Mr.. Marshall like q glove.
He says he does not want It; that he
is al "fed up on it." But the fact
that during his long time in the chair
he has become familiar. with the
whole senatorial procedure suggests
that on the floor he would feel thor.
oughly at homo in the chamber, and
be able to make himself very useful
there.
This announcement, though sincere
enough, we may all believe, will not
silence the speculation about tho In
diana leader. That will proceed, and
maybe become the moro interesting
because of the announcement. The
republicans are very likely to read in
it q sort Of confession that Mr.. Mar.
shall does not regard next year a.
especially inviting for democrats with
political preferment in mind; that
having enjoyed many official honors
and being In the enjoyment now OF
wide personal popularity, overhowine
party lines, he thinks the present q
good time to retire and take his ease
he has filed the Office Of Governor
Of Indiana, and is filing that Of Vice
President Of the United States-twc
high places. And if he should neve,
III another place he will still be 70
membered for important public serv
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Santa Claus can present jewelry
and bonds, but he cannot protect the
recipient from the attentions Of the
purse snatchef.
Evening star., 1919-12-28
Apportionment
Of Offices.

ice system after an examination con-
Quoted by a board Of nine commission
era In the same issue, however, is no
tice Of the Introduction Of bill by Rep
resentative Hay OF Illinois and a joint
resolution by Representative Dewess OF
North Carolina. the effect Of which, If
enacted. would have been to establish
Evening star., 1919-12-28

The ultimate consumer will have to
pay the cost if the bootlegger decides
to use private yacht instead Of a
touring car.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Clemeneeau has come forward with
a presidential boom that is genuinely
convincing. osi
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Carranza sent out the poorest cline
Of holiday greetings that have come
to attention.
Evening star., 1919-12-28
The Biz Dlsclpuion.

Six hours I'll work and dix I'll sleep,
Because It Is my wise intent
The other dozen hours to keep
For purposes Of argument
Evening star., 1919-12-28
Variable Impre~3sns.

vsrisble Impre0jsns.
"A million dollars seems q compsrs.
lively small sum Of money nowadays"
'Tt's much like any other sum Of
money" rejoined Mr.. Dustin Stax.
s1t seems small when it's to be sent
but Largo when its to be collected
Evening star., 1919-12-28
HEARD AND SEEN.

Uncle Sam doesn't often bring a
man a Christmas present Of $500 on
silver platter, but he did it last
Thursday.
There is in the government service
an old Indian fighter, one of the men
who can remember the days when
the Indians presented themselves as
somewhat formidable antagonists.
against whom the United States Army
was not ashamed to array itself.
This man was wounded in the course
of his fights against the Indians. but
never thought much of it. In after
years he came to Washington. got
himself a job in the government, and
settled down. His children grew up
and got themselves positions in the
government service. This phase OF
One day last fall the son got to won
dering why his father couldn't receive
a pension from Uncle Sam. From
thinking about it he went on to
working upon the case, with the re-
suit that after many papers had been
missioner.
In the pension bureau the whole
thing hung fire December 1 came
along, and the SON tried to hurry the
case up, but was told that about six
weeks usually was required 70 re.
ard like to give that retroactive
pension to dad for a Christmas pres
ent from Uncle Sam" said the son.
musing.
Maybe it was the Christmas spirit
anyway, at o'clock last Wednesday
afternoon the case was o. KID, ana
the check for 5000 was drawn and
presented to the young man.
Behold him next morning: arrayeo
in his best brown suit, with over
coat and hat to match. climbing up
the hill that led to his fathers house.
merry Christmas. dad? he called.
The old indian fighter hailed him
with Merry Christmas" in return,
slightest idea what was coming: ne
had never asked the government for
a pension. But
Here's . little Christmas present
from Uncle SAM" said the son, hand
ing him the check for $500. and papers
month for the rest OF his life.
One who visits a government de-
partment on Christmas day becomes
an Event.
On ordinary week days visitor II
regarded by a federal watchman sim
ply as one Of the stream OF people
who daily find business to transact
with the department But the visitor
who is 80 hardy as to come around
on Christmas day suddenly realizes
that he Is more than visitor in the
ewes Of the watchman.
He has become an Event Nothing
less than the capital e will do.
Consider for a moment the case OF
the watchman. During the other days
of the week people come and go.
questions are poured at him. he has
to be able to tell where Mr.: So and So
is. and where he isn't. Time passes
But on a holiday it is different: The
long. empty corridors echo when the
guard drops his newspaper. The Dig
clock on the wall. although down at
the other end Of the hall. ticks loud
iy. Cars. automobiles. people outside.
but only oneself and the clock in
side
All of . sudden a figure darkens the
doorway, the glass door opens. and
in pufIs . man. glad to get In from
the cold.
This is the Event of the day.
Evening star., 1919-12-28
The E6eck

"Why do you insist on sending me
all these howerss" inquired the man
charged with homicide.
"To cheer you," exclaimed the ex-
aggerated seutimentslist.
"But they don't cheer me. They
make me think Of funerals"
Evening star., 1919-12-28
R.~.rdl... AZ Rh..u,.,..

Regardless Of Rheumatism.
Grandpa Mintlicker says the only
excuse he knows Of for not liking chill
dren Is that they are 80 exasperat-
ingly happy every time it SHOWS or
freezes.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Street car floors and seats got a rest
Christmas day, for most people stayed
at home, finding more pleasure, evil
IDENTIFY, at their own firesides-er. "a
diators-than rolling around the
tracks Of the railway systems
There were two women. however.
among the many who were forced to
ride on that day. who had q strange
experience. One got on q car after
the other The first girl handed a
ticket to the conductor, and plunged
forward toward the front Of the car.
Pleased at the ease with which she
made progress. the girl continued to
the front of the car, and grabbed a
strap, triumphant1y. The woman who
had gotten on the car with her fol-
lowed, and in turn hung onto a strap.
II am so used to standing" said the
first girl, "and lighting my way
through these cars. that it seems like
heaven on traction when can get
down an aisle that easy
'I am glad we have these nice straps
to hang on" said the other, with a
pleased smile. Neither girl looked be-
hind her.
So a man sitting down was forced to
Ladies'" he called. hero are plenty
of seats"
'sWhy, we never thought to look-
laughed the women.
CHARLES E. TRACEwEk-
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Jud Tunhns says it has got 90 a
man can't 90 down to 81 SimEn's
store and express an emphatic opin.
ion without being pointed out u some
kind Of a propagandist. = t-s:s
Evening star., 1919-12-28

several years ago
Years Ago. and have been
working toward tho solution.
Where are the opportunities to
mortgage markets?
Right now export trade organiza-
tions formed under the Webb-Pom-
creme act are preparing to make dom
mating exhibits at the Danzig fair In
February. According to a cablegram
from American Commissioner Dawson
in Dansig, the fruhjahrsmesse, or
spring fair, which is to be held on
February Is to Is, offers an excellent
kinds of American products, pareicu-
larly those needed for the economic
reconstruction Of eastern Europe.
Here the American goods should make
q showing against the product OF
other countries which have had their
industries crippled by war. which will
leave q lasting impression on all who
see them that American manufactur-
ers produce much better goods In
larger quantities and at better prices.
Again, tho time seems auspicious.
American Minister p. A. Stovall In
Bern reports, for American exporters.
especially. those dealing In agricui-
take part in the next years fairs and
expositions in Switzerland. There
they would be sure Of a warm well
come and tho opportunity of securing
International connection OF no mean
present value and which should prove
an asset Of Increasing Importance as
the yeafv roll by.
A very widespread revival of in
terest in commercial and industrial
v: affairs has taken
Tr.S. p>~;vs1 in place in Switxer-
Switzerland. .,.n,,, ~ -.
arrnistico In fact, even during the
Evening star., 1919-12-28

glory Of American business. The de-
velopment Of American trade In Syria
is another phase. Now that Germany
and Austria have not yet resumed
their commercial relations with Syria
and other European countries are
suffering from economic conditions
and consequently offering their ar
ticles at much advanced prices, Syrian
importers are turning toward the
United States for the supply Of their
needs. However, until the political
status Of the country IL definitely es-
tablished. very little business can ac-
tually be done.
One important point to be borne
in mind is that not single factory,
in the real sense. exists In Syria, and
every manufactured article is import
ed, with the exception of articles
made in small native workshops.
European exporters, particularly Ger
man and Austrian, have been extend
ing credit to their Syrian customers
of from three to twelve months. I'm
more stable in Syria, it is suggested
by the American officials that Amerf-
can exporters consent to ship their
goods by accepting payment against
documents.
American manufactured articles are
not we'll known in these markets, and
syrian buyers hesitate to order goods
from catalogues. American exporters
will do we'll to send travelling sales
men with assorted collections Of sam
ples. with prices preferably quoted
q i. t. Syrian ports or I. o. b. New
work or other port Of shipment, but
never (. o. b. factory. Correspond
ence in French 10 preferable.
WILL p. KENNEDY.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

'1s Mr.. So and So in," asks the
Event.
The watchman looks at him sus-
piciously.
"Are you sure he didn't come in
some other door,
NO: there amt any other door &c
day"
got here" says the Event. hopefully.
watchman. finally.
Perhaps few people have not some
time in their life dreamed that they
were standing in q ballroom or other
crowded place attired only in a night
gown. Ones horrible apprehensions
that people will see in what nebulous
necessary. upon waking up, for in
variably nobody ever seems to notice
at all.
1t was with somewhat the same ter
rible fascination that people on a street
car proceeding down Connecticut ave
nue. last Christmas day watched the
spiral puttees Of a soldier who still
wore his uniform and overseas cap.
The car was just sufficiently crowd
ed to be comfortable, with only few
standing, so that the soldier stood
conspicuously forth to the view OF
those who sat.
AS if attracted by some sort Of mag
net, the eyes of those in seats were
drawn to the spiral puttees OF the
soldier. The tape wound around the
right leg had become unfastened, and
dropped noiselessly for the length of
one revolution.
All watched the faithless tape. Peo-
pie had become SO used to seeing SOL
diers' legs in puttees that no one
ever dreamed, evidently. that the
things could come unwrapped in pub
lie.
, Then the tape dropped another coil.
The car rounded a curve, and the
tape uncoiled again. its end hitting
the soldiers shoe. Passengers with
vivid imaginations began to wonder
what would happen to the spiral put
tee when the last winding Of the tape
had gone.
What did happen cannot be chron-
icled here. for We got out at that
corner.
,
Evening star., 1919-12-28


the fsr-seeing flnanciers Of this coun-
try, ambitious to
Markets to extend their inno-
ence and prestige.
DC RO1sS&4eo' will take a sug-
eestion from former Secretary Red
fields advice to "win good will"
through taking a mortgage on new
markets throughout the world? With
ALI the old world markets demanding
more goods than can be supplied, the
largest neld for ambition to work Is
in winning the new markets, ana
mortgaging them now for years to
Germany for many years before the
world war had Just such grip on
markets in all parts of the world,
even in the United States. as may be
exampled by the exclusive control OF
the dye Industry. Through financial
institutions and sales houses in south
America, Germany was able to carry
on a very seriously threatening prop:
aganda. So the American financial
institutions can not only gain domi-
nance in world trade, but be outposts
Of military value for the welfare OF
this country in the new order OF
things.
Evening star., 1919-12-28

In The Star Of December 21, 1863, is
a news item telling Of the introduction
Evening star., 1919-12-28

World trade is the biggest financial
problem now that any nation ever
faced with the
Evening star., 1919-12-28

Here is a striking example of how
the financial institution stimulates
trade. To assist Brit
British Trade ish trade n in genera u
Enterprise. branch Of the Lloyds
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-05-29
The Pleasure. Of TrayeI.

"Wa-al.p'tu-no," said the ancient
Arkansawyer, II hain't never did much
Of what you'd call travelling. was 81
years old last grass; born and raised
right here in Shagbark township, md
hain't been outside of the county but
once. That was when was about 80
years old. I went over to Torpidville,
and they just nacher'ly took and start
ed to lynch me the minute I. got to
town, for something or nuther, 1 never
did find out what. One foot was al
ready in the air and the other barely
touching the ground when some Teller
came running and hollered that they
were making mistake-I wasn't the
guilty party a-tall. AS soon as they
turned me j rose I lit out for home as
the crow flies, and hain't done no
travelling to speak Of since. always
figgered that-on the next occasion the
Teller that knowed it was mistake
might not get there in time to do me
any good."-Judge.
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-05-29
BLIND MAN POULTRY FANclER
as,s.ourIanr Has Made Success Of the
Work, Despite Handicap WrIeh
Would Seem lnsurmountable.

Blind Edward Jones of Jefferson
City, Mo-, has made record in keep
ing poultry which many who have
eyes have not equaled. Moving among
his birds, which seem to understand
how he is handicapped, and guided
only by his sense Of touch, he per.
forms his daily work. He has built
his own poultry house and brood
coops, and has Matched and raised all
his chicks. Blindness does not pre-.
vent him from culling his flock. The
birds not intended to be kept are mar.
keted as broilers, and the others are
kept for the production Of winter
eggs.
Mr.. Jones attended every poultry
meeting held in his section last full.
He is now trying to organize poultry
club for blind people. and the home
demonstration agent in the county
has volunteered to read to. the mem.
bers the publications on poultry sent
from the United States department Of
agriculture.