Evening star., 1924-02-26
TALKS and TALES
With and .4bOut
CAPITALS GUESTS

forestall miscalculations by those of
you who are basing predictions on
the presidential race according TO
how the farmer. labor, capitalist wet,
dry and other imaginary group votes
will be cast next fall, pray don't
overlook the fact that there's a COM
paratively new element in the ever
increasing bloc" list that has to be
reckoned with-the travelling sales
men of America.
This is not to infer that the genial
knights of the road have not always
performed their full duties az citi-
2ens. but never before have the trav-
cling representatives of the rountry's
great commercial houses been more
thoroughly organized. nor showed
keener interest III legislation that
Vtally affects their own particular
calling.
This was most evident in the in
forest displayed by William &. Adams,
managing director of 1.-The Travelling
Salesmen's Associations of America.
at the Shoreham Hotel, in telling of
the South Carolina legislatures re-
cent action in passing Il bill prevent
ing the railroads of that state from
collecting surcharge for Pullman
seats or sleepers, etc.
That makes eleven states that have
passed similar laws against this most
unfair practice which should have
been abolished Immediately war was
over" declared Mr. Adams. Yes. there
IS bill pending In Congress providing
for same--in fact, many of them-and
urquestionably the legislation will
be enacted. but if Congress doesn't
get move on the states VIII steal
q march on IT..
Mr.. Adams said further that at
no time In the past had travelling
statesmen displayed such interest in
politics as in this campaign. You
know" he continued, there are
nearly 100000 travelling statesmen
are married and, estimating con-
servatively. 1t might be said that
each one influences at least two votes
at home. Then. too. it's poor sales
man who can't sell five votes on the
road, go, IL organized in bloc, their
favor should be we'll worth court
ing
The official reported conditions as
most prosperous all over the country
aud said the outlook for the future
never seemed brighter.
With Oil still trickling in every
direction. clusters" at the Capitol
must be finding it pretty soft.
X x X x
II the travelling salesman man
ayers optimism over conditions is
not sufficient to make you feel hope
full. then listen to what Harvey s.
Firestone, chief mogul of the famous
Firestone Tire Company, had to sag
q few minutes later when encounter
ed in the New Willard Hotel.
Great. couldn't be better" smiled
the little wizard on his way OUT from
treakfaat trdS; , akron is is booming. aS. au,
ahead and. as for the tire business.
more orders than we can handle"
In rapid order this end of the Fire.
stone Edison Ford trinity answered
every question put until it came to
politics, when he closed up like an
oil witness. He said he was on his
way to Miami for rest, that Henry
Edison never felt better, that the
three would certainly take their
usual cut-up this summer, and that
the new balloon tire was the great
motor travel today.
This new tire. which all the large
companies now feature, but which We
ssk;hsp dekE;sloped,, said Mr.. Fires.one' ris
ders cannot be filled. You see, with
America continually on the mad rush
no Iet-up' just on; on. on. from
does come for little relaxation she
wants every bit of comfort procur-
able, and as there's nothing. to equal
An easy-going motor ride in the coun-
try, this is made doubly attractive by
the wonderful invention"
And won't you say just a teeny-
Weensy bit about the political situa-
ton, Mr.. Firestone?"
Impossible. my boy! Never mix
up in politics. I'm a business man,
pure and simple; would just as soon
see our tires on democrats car as
enlighten you even if l cared to-"
And off tripped the Akron manufac-
turer to keep two thousand engage
mentS.
Some folks idea Of economy is to
taxi to the market house to save 6
cents on a sack o potatoes.
BUT If MIR. Firestone was un-
familiar with the political, situation
III his baliwick, such was not the case
with William Marshall Bullitt, solicit
tor general of the United States
under the Taft administration, who
halls from that dear Louisville, Ky,
and Is stopping at the Hotel La
Fayette.
The well known lawyer, who en-
Joys wide acquaintance in Wash
inston. was extremely enthusiastic
over the chances of President Cool
J L.
monwealth next fall.
Then you consider the Presidents
nomination as assured, Mr.. Bullitt?"
nrisay my gracious, rasIos. yes" was the sur
there are those who figure otherwise!
Why, we republicans in Kentucky
nave never dreamed of any other
Long time that we are absolutely
agreed on a specific issue-every fac
tion of the party is for Coolidgew
How about the other crew, Mr..
Bullitt?"
"Now you've stumped me-" laughed
meddling with other peoples affairs
Before this oil trouble Mr.. McAdoo
had considerable following in the
state, I believe. What effect his con-
nections with the oil interests will
have on his supporters 1 am unable
TO say"
Mr.. Bullitt said that during the past
" advocates of the pari-mutuel
betting machines at Kentucky race
Ira.ks had won victory, the bill
proposing their abolishment being de-
feated in the senate after having
passed the assembly. This assures
race horse betting in the state for
1t least two years more.
< y x =
No lightning change artist in vaude-
Vile ever saw the day he could COM
pare with the climate of a Washing
ton February.
X X x x
Those Russian enthusiasts desirous
Of getting back to Moscow and the
third internationale in a hurry are
advised to travel via England, for