Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-19
Candidates for Hall of Infamy

Mr.. Mann of Illinois. Did the
gentleman state that the war De-
partment purchased 2,O00.000 type
writer's during the war?
Mr.. Wood Of Indiana. That is ex-
actly what they did.
Mr.. Mann of Illinois. Was the man
who did that lunatic or a knave.
Mr.. Wood of Indiana. do not know
what classification you would put him
under,
Mr.. Mann of Illinois He must be one
of the two.
Mr.. Wood of Indiana 1t is in keep
ing with the conduct of the man who
purchased mosquito bar to put mos
quito bars over everybody in France,
who went over there to find out that
they had no mosquitoes there, and
with the man who bought SIC, 600
worth of ambulance harness only to
find out that they did not use any
harness at ALL
Mr. Mann of Illinois. There might
be some excuse for that. A man
might be misled, but nobody could be
misled into the idea that every other
soldier in the Army was to be en-
ployed to operate a typewriter. 1t
must be that the typewriter manu-
facturers got in their work. Maybe
there was a dollar year man here
who was interested in typewriters.
The above from q page of recent
Congressional Record. helps to aggra-
waite restlessness under the burden Of
taxes. While about 1t the Congress
sional Record should give publicity
TO the name of the person responsible
for the purchase of those typewriters,
also that Of the one who. ordered the
mosquito netting. Such publicity
is merited and descendants of pur-
chasing powers SO distinguished
might in future generations be able
to establish claim on the patriotic
endeavor
We find ourselves not quite in ac-
cord with Mr.. Mann, that there may
be some excuse for the fellow who
for the crank or crook who bought
the typewriters. Indeed, was he not
serving under a commander-in-chie
who not only prepared for war but set
out to fight it with 4 typewriter? 1t is
so opined In we'll informed circles.
But think of it, two million type
writer's purchased by the War De-
partment alone, to make no mention
Of those bought by the executive and
other branches of the Government!
Gone are the days when the pen was
mightier than the sword; come are
the days when the typewriter Is
rnightier than the sword for him who
would carve out inordinate portions
of the earth's fairness to satisfy his
greed.
By all means. let's have his name
in hall Of infamy. We would not,
however. give him the place of dis
tinction therein. although buying two
million type-writers with which to
whip the Germans is no modest en-
deavor. First page display, however
should be accorded to those who sup
Piled inferior material and to those
who swindled wounded war veterans.
But give us the hall Of infamy and
assignments therein may be made
later.
But while considering these un-
pleasant incidents grave injustice
would be done If the fact be over
looked that the number of those who
gave and sacrificed is SO large, SO
thoroughly representative Of the
American spirit. as to preclude any
particular distinction for them. Nor
is it needed. Theirs is the satisfac-
ton OF knowing, theirs the conscious
ness which of itself is greater reward
than any congress may bestow. They
may be found in every hamlet. and
the salt Of the earth hath not lost
its SAVIOR