New-York tribune., 1921-02-20

target Of some six hundred sharp
shooters, but he is rarely hit-never
fatally.
To see him at question time an
swering supplementary questions
one is reminded of the colored gen
tleman who used TO stick his head
through a sheet and invite his audi
ence to hit him with a baseball.
Bonar Law seldom laughs, but he al
ways smiles when the balls are COM
ing fastest. He is an immaculate
dresser; his clothes are just so,
never ruffled. He wears a morning
suit, and frequently puts his feet on
the table separating the Government
and Opposition benches in Parlia-
ment. He appears sometimes to be
having a restful nap, but if so, he
hears in his sleep.
For twenty years he has been in
Parliament, but he has never been
Prime Minister. He served as Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, Secretary
of State for the Colonies, leader of
the Conservative Opposition and
leader of the House. What he
doesn't know about politics is nil.
His name is signed to the Treaty of
Versailles. He has sat in confer
ence with every Allied statesman OF
recent years. He attends practically
every Cabinet meeting. Lloyd
George lives at 10 Downing Street:
Bonar Laws home is next door. One
is Liberal, the other a Conserva-
tive, but since the fall Of the Asquith
government they have been the
closest of teammates.
Bonar Law is indefatigable. He IS
always on the job. Other ministers
may run away to the Riviera, to
Switzerland, to Spain, to the hills Of
Scotland, but Bonar Law sticks
close to Whitehall except for an oc-
casional round Of golf or q trip to
Paris to sign some treaty. He gets
change in his pipe and book.
Apparently every morning Bonar
/ Law drops in on the Premier to find
if there is any little job to be done.
Generally there are a few. The
Scotsman and the Welshman have q
perfect understanding. Along after
lunch Bonar Law drops into the
House of Commons and tells the
members their suggestions have the
governments sympathetic consider
alton" or 'the answer is in the mega
tive" A cup Of tea and a bath bun
and pipe and he is ready for the
debate on unemployment, Mesopo-
tamia, Anglo-French relations or the
tax on tea. On busy days he has a
1 few score letters to write and a half
dozen delegations 10 meet. Next
morning, after porridge, ne is in to
see the Premier for the days orders.
They breed grand fighters in Scot
land. Bonar Law is the son Of q
clergyman, but then Scotch parsons
have a reputation for tenacity. He
IS the sort Of a fighter who never let's
go. He lost son in the war, but he
stuck to MS leadership OF the House,
apparently unchanged, calm and cold,
working and fighting without a
break. Others became downcast,
some almost panicky, but Boaar Law
kept fighting with the scientific skill
Of the expert. Nothing could break
his spirit.
Bonar Law is Lloyd George 3
safety valve. He is an invaluable
lieutenant. He is loyal to his chief
and not afraid to criticize. Lloyd
George is dramatic, sensational,
highly imaginative; Bonar Law al
ways has both feet on the ground.
The Scotsman has been something
Of disappointment to the members
Of his political party. He might
have had the highest honor in the
land, but he has been satisfied to
hold a secondary place. His Pack Of
ambition is certainly not due TO 9
desire 10 escape work or avoid re-
sponsibiIity. He is happy in his pres
ent position as Lloyd Georges Mar
Friday"