Milford chronicle., 1925-07-03
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER


nit. The reaction has already beeI
felt in the quality of news dispatches
emanating from the summer capi
tai. Some correspondents have beer
withdrawn from the Massachusetts
assignment and either returned tt
Washington or sent to Dayton
Tenn, for the sensational features
of the forthcoming evolution trial. II
is apparent from these switches that
public opinion will be turned to-
ward the question of evolution and
the Bible rather than politics.
In Washington there is little ol
political interest to warrant news
paper space. The absence of the
Chief Executive and Congress ac-
counts for the dearth of real live
political information. Seasoned OBJ
servers refuse to become excited
over talks of abolishing certain gov
ernment agencies when Congress
convenes next December. From the
standpoint of government officials
and employees, today is the begin
ming OF the fiscal year Of 1926. Usu-
ally new laws become effective on
July 1 and old laws expire on June
| 80, although there are some eXcep-
tions to the rule. The most impor-
| tant feature of the day is the fact
that appropriations are made avail
able today and this means renewed
| interest in governmental programs,
| especially economic activities.
The various internal scraps in the
governmental departments provoke
all sorts of proposals for legislative
cure-alls. There are some Senators
and congressman who are now ad-
vocating the abolishing OF the Fed
eral Trade Commission and the Tar
iff Commission, because of Quarrels
within the organizations as to poll
cies.
There is a similar agitation in
several bureaus Of the Department
of Agriculture where those who have
been entrenched for years resent in
trusion of new ideas by incoming
executives. The talk of abolishing
government bureaus is just talk and
nothing more. For years certain
groups have advocated the abolition
of this and that federal division or
bureau, contending that it was over
tapping, unnecessary. etc. A survey
shows that only one or two minor
bureaus were abolished by leg1sla-
tion. There have been instances
where divisions have been merged
and the personnel transferred, few
having been completely wiped out.
Bureaucrats and others having a
place in the sun do not know poll
tical parties. Each administrator
has its share of internal squabbles.
These affairs may be compared to
family uuarrels where individuals
abuse each other but unite against
criticism Of the group.
While the public announcement OF
the retirement Of Miss Laura Har-
Ian as social secretary to Mrs. Cool
idge is merely an item Of passing in
terest to the public at large, 1t has
aroused the attention OF ot1clal
Washington. There is some specu-
lating as to whether Miss Harlan re-
tired by request or Of her own vo-
lition. Her resignation does not take
effect until the fall when Mrs. Cool
idge returns to the White House.
This change at the Executive Man
sion indicates that Mr.. Charles Cook
of the State Department, will have
charge of White House entertain
mants. Mr.. Cook IS very debona1r
gentleman who is recognized as the
final authority on whats what" in
Washington society. The meeting OF
diplomatic and high American gov
ernment officials at various social
functions is more than a mere social
affair. It is an event of interna-
tional importance in many cases.
History records serious develop
ments and international misunder-
standings aroused from social blum
ders at various world capitals.
In order to promote better inter
national understanding by personal
contact, the State Department finds
it worth while to have special Of
fee devoted to this activity. The var
ious American citizen reading Of
diplomatic reception or dinner given
by a cabinet officer do not always
realize it's significance in world af-
fairs.
Mr.. Cook has occupied his pres
ent position as arbitrator of social
matters for a number Of years and
has become perhaps the most useful
man in Washington society. He is
often the tutor Of the new-rich and
the newcomers in official life. He
knows the social niceties and is re-
garded as a life-saver at all func-
tions Of this character. The inter-
national social code prevails in
Washington and is considerably diff
ferent from the social usages which |
are accepted in other American cit :
les. Here the farmalities must be OBJ
served to the letter. It is necessary
to know the precedents, etc. Espec-
tally at social functions where high
officials are present, it is essential
that somebody should know the rel
ative rank of distinguished guests in
order that no visitor be sighted. 1t
is an easy matter to blunder in So
cietY.
Mr.. Cook is walking encyclope-
dia and catalogue and through his
good Offices Washington hostesses
entertain without fear Of creating in
ternational discord. The Department
Of State regards him as the last