Evening star., 1924-01-20
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY


Massachusetts,, formerly Harvard
professor, assistant secretary OF the
treasury and medal Of honor. man,
who served in France continuously
for four and a half years during the
world war, tells this little story as
he got it from Roger w. Babson.
economist and statistician: so it must
be so:
Babson is a joint tenant with Ed
ward T. Clark, personal secretary to
President Coolidge, and when he hap
pens to be in Washington Mr.. Babson
stops at the Clark home.
On Sunday morning Clark and Bab-
son, in neglige attire. were lounging
in Clark's study when the bell rang.
Mr. Babson suggested that it was
probably a messenger boy. When
he gets tired ringing he will drop the
message in the letter SLOT" Mr.. Bah
son said. But the bell kept on ring
ing and then there was vigorous
pounding and kicking at the door.
Mr.. Babson grew impatient and ex-
claimed That's a persistent cuss I'll
run down and tell him few things"
Mr.. Babson flung open the door
and gaZed into the countenance of
GAVIN IooiluSe, VINO nau Deen taklns
an early morning stroll and dropped
in to pay Ted Clark n visit.
K X \ X
Most people in Washington, cspe-
cially those prominent in official life,
resent being kept waiting on an ap-
pointment. Recently Mrs. Coolidge
had her picture taken with her two
sons. When they went for the sitting
the photographer was not quite ready
for them. Contrary to the usual pro-
ceeding under such circumstances.
Mrs. Coolidge sat very patiently, and
while she waited was knitting silk
socks for her sons.
\ x + X
While discussing the proposed
service rating system for government
employees in the House the other
day, Representative Charles /. Stem
gle of New York, a former Virginia
newspaper editor. who in three years
travelled more than 10000 miles and
delivered more than 500 addresses in
favor of pensions for worn-out and
disab bled federal civil employees, said
that those gentlemen who have been
planning the efficiency system have
almost reached the stage of Hooley's
evolution and told the following story:
Patrick Hooley was born in County
Cork, Ireland he came to our shores
in early youth; he resided here until
mature years. and then, because of
his good luck and his success in
America. he gave dinner TO his
friends and neighbors. At the con-
clusion of the repast his neighbors
said, Patrick, tell us about your
success" He said, DO I understand
you to mean the evolution of Patrick
Hooley? They said. Yes" Well"
said he. Il was born in County Cork,
ireland: came over TO these shores
in my boyhood. and on the ships reg
lister l was known as Patrick Hooley
When / had been in this country a
few months ! obtained work as a
digger of trenches for the sewer de-
partment in my city. and there | was
simply Patrick. or Pat
"A little while later it became my
ber Of the board of aldermen. as
lrishmen sometimes are and" he
said, then l became Mr.. Hooley. In
the course of human events a short
while after that ] was elected mem
ber of the assembly of my state. and
the Hon. Mr.. Hooley. and. friends. as
happens to all good Irishmen who
nave been on these shores for years
and have taken care of themselves
time rolled on and l was elected the
mayor of my city. and the following
morning, bright and early, |
said to me wife, Come. Bridget, YOU
and the girls, l think we had better
go down to the church and pay our
respects to Divinity for the good luck
we have had during the past week
and. believe it or not, friends and
neighbors." said he, "the evolution of
Patrick Hooley has been 50 success
ful that even as we walked down the
main aisle of that church on that
Sunday morning the choir in the gal
Iery began to sing. .Hooley, Hooley.
Lord God Almighty"
= y 4 i:
George II. Carter, the public printer,
has distinguished veteran of
the world war in his employ of
which he is very proud. This is a
linotype machine received from
Camp Humphreys. 1t was used in
the mobile printing plant that ac-
companied Gen. Pershing's head
quarters in France throughout the
war Mr.. Carter is making arrange
ments to place a bronze plate on this
machine in commemoration of its
war service. Instead. however. Of
continuing to set Gen. Pershing's war
orders, this machine is now devoted
to the more peaceful occupation of
printing patent specifications.
This is one of five typesetting
machines transferred to the govern
ment printing office from various
war activities at the Great Lakes
Naval training Station, from Walter
Reed Hospital, etc, from the Seaman
Gunners' School, etc Eight presses
surplus paper, envelopes and other
supplies valued at approximately
1858 900.
Uncle Sam is conducting a general
information service. the background
of which is the largest and most
complete library of government pub
locations in existence. There are
350,O00 government books, pamphlets
and maps in the library. to which
10000 editions We're made in the last
year. This priceless library, which
could never be replaced, is stored in
fire trap building, where it is in con-
slant danger of destruction.
During the past year 165,903 let
ters were received seeking authorita-
tive information. Teachers, pub
licists and scientific Investigators
often call upon us to furnish bibliog-
raphies on special subjects" Alton
=. Tisdel, the superintendent of
documents, explains.
"a teacher sometimes wishes to
know all that has been published on
the subject of secondary education;
publicist or photographer desires
list of publications on taxation;
technical man requests list on cleo
tricity, etc.
"The preparation of these lists re-
uuires considerable research work,
together with a general knowledge
which can be gained only through
exnerience and a long study of gov