The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-17
Blair Exudes Humanity
In Hard Revenue Job
Represents Successful Type
Drafted for Important Gov
eminent Work.
BY w. II. Atkins.

David H. Blair. the man who VIII
raise $4,000, 100000 in taxes and reve-
nue. this year, to pay the Govern
ment's running expenses, is the type
of successful American business man
who is making success as Gov
eminent official by this slogan:
THE latch string always hangs on
the outside. Come in and let's talk
things over. II you have a. griev-
ance against the Government, maybe
we can straighten 1t out Be fair
with the Government and tell us
your troubles. II the Government
Is interested. we, as Government
servants, will try to help you out
Of hole"
That in a nutshell Is the kind OF
personality possessed by the haro-
working citizen of the old Nortn
State, who was called by President
Harding to undertake the harues.
single Job In the entire Government
service.
He's friendly with everybody. May
be that's why he made his mark SO
young in life. Long ago, by constant
striving he set aside a comfortable
fortune. although he is not what Is
popularly called very rich man.
But he never let that get the best OF
MIN, or slow down that remarkable
streak Of energy which at all times
calls out for more work, and with
never failing good humor.
New Day; New Way"
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Blair has been literally an apostle
of the Presidents much discussed
statement soon after coming into or
flee, that: This is a new day, In a
new way" Blair thinks there is a
wealth of meaning In that phrase.
He has given II meaning since TAX
ing the helm in the big revenue estab-
iishment at the head OF a force OF
nearly 10000 men and women,
scarcely more than a month ago.
This administration has some pretty
able "humanizers." But none of them
have got anything on Blair in this
respect. He simply exudes humanity
at every pore. 1t sticks out all over
him. He always lays the cards on
the table" It's a habit he has. He
cannot act differently now. because
he's not built that way.
A simple illustration will show
the way Blair works, and keeps his
men behind him In the lineup al
ways on their mettle.
Blair after taking the oath of Of
nate officials in the revenue estab-
lishment into the long lesther-di-
vaned room where he hangs his hat.
and works about fifteen hours a day.
He told this hard boiled lot OF sub
chiefs, a little baseball story. 1t
related to spunky little shortstop
on Blair's home team down in North
Carolina. That shortstop was a
whirlwind, when the other fellows
were backing him up on plays. He
was a big loser when this support
was lacking. That was the big idea
with Blair and these fellows on
whose cooperation he felt he must
depend, IL he and they were to re-
main together pulling for Uncle Sam.
Used Plain Words.
That story has gone the round of
the entire revenue service Blair on
the day in question made no grand
Eloquent pleas for patriotic support.
In about dozen words he made 1t
plain he was not going to let that
lob get the best OF him, IL his fell
lows in the organization would jump
in and help, him.
Are those fellows supporting Blair7
You can bet your bottom dollar on
IL. The prediction is now made that
the organization Is being keyed to
such a point of efficiency, and by CO.
ordinating some of the activities
which formerly, were divided, that
the cost Of collecting the taxes and
revenues this year will be greatly re-
duced. with only one months start
Blair is q huge success in this Job
a Job which takes a mans strength