The New York herald., 1921-04-23
DEPEW, TO-DAY,
WANTS A STORY
Veteran Authority Laments
Decline in the Art of
Anecdotage.
HAPPY AT HIS DESK
Expects to Work Daily I'm
til He Reaches Cen
tuly Mark.
DISCLOSES HIS SECRET
Believes Hylan One Of Dozen
Men i'm World Who Under
stand Einstein.
DIsCLOsEs HIS SECRET

Any one who knows good story
a real good one-should go up and tell
it to Chauncey NJ. Depew on this his
s7th birthday. Mr.. Depew has never
been heard to complain about any
thing, but he did admit yesterday that
the art OF anecdotage seemed to have
siumped more or less in recent years.
That distressing fact, developed from
the best of all living authorities ap-
peared yesterday in the course Of
chat with the former Senator. He
was Of course, found at his desk in
the offices Of the New York Central
Railroad, where he works briskly and
easily from 10 A. M. to 4:S0 P. M. each
day. including birthdays, and where
he expects to work until he iS at
least 100 years old.
What's the best story you have
heard lately?" the question came
around to.
Haven't heard any good stories
said Mr.. Depew. look Of sadness
momentarily shadowed his clear blue
IN Florida this winter and didn't hear
single one that I'd call first class.
Haven't heard any since ! got back,
either"
What is the reason for this?"
May Invent One Himself.
II don't know, unless it is that the
times and events that produced them
have passed away, or the style is
changed. There are plenty Of invented
stories, but what 1 call good one
grows out of some real incident or
happening and is used to illustrate some
trait Of human nature familiar to US all.
That's the kind that Lincoln used TO
tell. In my modest way, that's the kind
that ] have tried to tell. It's too bad
that story ellers aren't what they used
TO be. If things get really desperate
may have to tell a new story myself.
Eyes. it really is too bad" Mr.. De-
pew laughed. then added: ITO my way
of thinking the man who has new story
Tor his friends is a philanthropist."
1t happens that the present writer has
seen DR.. Depew at close range around
birthday time for half dozen years.
1t is the literal truth that he seems not
TO change a particle. any more than has
his rolltop desk, above which are framed
Iictures of him in 1856. when he was
was Secretary OF State Of New York.
and in 1900, when he was in the United
States Senate. It was in that gradua-
tion year he stumped for Fremont, as
he has done for every Republicn Presi-
dental candidate since then. His face
resists creasing, his yoicc-last summer
il filled the Coliseum in Chicago-rings
clear; In Florida this winter he spoke
for an hour and five minutes without
stopping once to suck lemon and with
out getting husky.
At the most conserva tive estimate,
counting campaign tours, dinners ana
everything, he has averaged one speech
q week for sixty-five years That is
total of $3.50 speeches Yet his vocal
cords show no sign Of wear. When re
is seated he doesn't loll or bend: when
he stands. as he insisted on doing
through a good deal OF yesterdays in
terview, he stands straight, shoulders
thrown back. hands in the side pockets
Of his striped trousers the tails OF his
black cutaway parted. Phi Beta Kappa
key swinging from gold watch chain
an old fashioned picture Of vigor with
90 only three years away
secret of Longevity.
a young fellow came in to-day with
a list of the worlds problems he wanted
told him, No; hfe's too short Nearly
everybody asks me which of my birth
days was the happiest My acswnr is.
The last one for II is the sum OF all
its predecessors. The real secret OF
health, happiness and longevity is 10
forget all the disa grceable things and
people and losses on securities and men
who didn't pay their notes end all that
and to remember and think only OF the
= - rvfa la
friends and honorable men you've
known. Look at me- Why shouldn't
be happy this year? I'm a Republican.
II won by a majority of seven million.
] carried New York by 100000. Great
Scott, that beats Prof Enstein's theory
of relativity TO keep a man young"
Speaking of Prof. Ein5tein. do you
understand his theory?'
IT do not, though don't doub, res
n great man. Why. understand .ners
are only a dozen men in the world who
DO understand IL. No, I'm not one OF
them, but I understand that Mayor nv
Ian is, and that's why he gave the
professor the freedom OF the city,"
DR.. Depew thinks President Harding's
Job Is Ito keep the peace, not increase
the taxes. harmonic capital and labor
and bring about greater productivity"
and says IL he does that he will be re-
elected by just as big a majority.
The ex-senator doesn't like the Vol
stead act. He said: When respectable
citizens consider IL an achievement to
break the law something must be
wrong But he said prohibition had
come 10 stay. Personally 1t didn't
bother him. for, finding his habit OF
taking a pint OF champagne with dinner
each evening disturber OF digestion,
he abandoned IL twenty years ago just
az he gave up cigars forty years ago.
after smoking twenty a day for long
period.
what is your Idea OF good timer
he was asked.
"A good dinner with real friends who
don't talk shop, are full OF good stories
and can discuss interesting things in
telligentiy but not heavily"
why do you wish to live TO be 1907"
Because I've enjoyed life 90 much
want to see more OF IT, and because
with eighty-seven years behind me
twelve more seem a very short distance
70 So"
do you approve Of the present style
OF women's dress--short skirts and all
that%'
The blue eyes tvinklcd. Its not
for us to criticise." said the ever gal
lant Mr.. Depcw. ~ think 1t we'll to
leave that question 10 the judgment OF
those who wear them