Evening star., 1921-12-25

ELLIOTT WOODS,
Who Fills Thirteen Jobs for Uncle
had charge of s25,000.'O0O in con-
struction work, and never has 500
of that grand total been challenged
as an improper appropriat
Elliott Woods is extremely versa
tile. He is Uncle Sans builder in
the National Capital: he is a clever
musician and composer; he is an all
round scientist. antedating the bu-
reau Of standards in many important
tests: he is custodian of unique
art collection of very great value; he
has cut down the death rate of Con-
gress by original innovations for ven-
tilation and sanitation-and withal
he is extremely modest.
He is managing director of COM
plete little city with scientific labo-
ratory. blacksmith shop. machine
shop. carpentry and cabinet shop.
electric shop. painters and glaciers,
timers and roofers. stone masons.
plumbers and gas filters, jacks of all
trades. And, mark you. this manag-
ing director is in a position where he
must understand the mechanical prob
lens all along the line, such as heat
ing and ventilation land sanitation.
Elliott Woods came to Washington
under the influence of Vice President
Thomas A. Hendricks and Albert q.
Porter Governor of Indiana. Back in
lis home town of TeTe Haute, Ind.
he had learned the profession of wood
carver. and at the age of nineteen
was in Indianapolis. where he had
done the ornamental carving for the
then great opera house. He was
great favorite with the governor, and
one evening CHANGED to drop in while
the Vice President was making call
Hendricks" said Gov. Porter.
Here's young man you'd better
take back to Washington with YOU
and Woods came. The Vice Presi-
dent didn't have any idea what to do
with him. but introduced him to
Edward Clark, architect OF the
CAPITOL. as a mechanical genius"
Clark asked Woods If he'd like to
stay on with him. and Woods stayed.
Clark suggested that Woods take
look. at the northwest terrace then
being constructed. Pretty soon Woods
came back and expressed his views.
You're right. young man., said MT
Clark. now you go right back ana
take charge of that work." That was
in 1885, and they worked together
until death called Mr.. Clark. in 1901.
when Woods succeeded to his job. but
not to his title.
"All that 1 have been able to make
of myself 1 owe to the interest," thaA
Mr. ClArk took in me. a stranger
younp man he wanted to help sue
ceed." said Mr.. Woods with feehne.
He treated me as son, gave me the
run of his home and library, en-
couraged me. 1t was a rare tnihs
for q. man to do He was man
with a big heart and took an interest
in boy. That is how / got all
of INV technical education. 1t is one
of the biggest human stories any
one ever experienced. I owe every
thing in this world to his conduct
toward me-"
X X x X
That is the way that Elliott Woods
himself has followed in bringing up
his family of helpers. In the oio Gays
Mr. Clark's boys would work all day
and Gil night to get hard job done
and similarly Mr.. Woods works win
his helpers today. They have often
j warmed their dinners in the boiler
room and indulged in a kazoo band'
| awakening the Capitol police, back 10
work through the still hours OF the
night until the job is done right
with a joy in the doing and = pride
! In the work.
Mr.. Clark was for years an invalid
whfre Mr.. Woods was his assistant.
One of Mr.. Woods first big jobs was
| to reconstruct the old library space
the Congressional Library had just
| moved out to its own magnificent
! new building. Nelson w. Aldrich.
Stephen B. Elkins and Joseph w.
Bailey as members of the committee
on rules, with Speaker Henderson,
| Private" John Dalzell and Uncle
Joe" Cannon, then chairman of the
| committee on appropriations. were
commission declaring that they want
ed that space made over into commit
tee rooms for use for the next Con-
eness. They allowed from September
| / to December to get all materials,
tear out @all the old partitions and
construction and put in the new.
They. asked Woods how. much It