Evening star., 1925-10-15

, were two rows Of chairs. one on either
side, evidently for customers when
they come In droves. AS we were
there early--about 9:10 o'clock-We
got in first licks at the bureau.
"All we saw in that particular Office
was one white-haired gentleman, who
began looking up Doolittle's records.
There wasn't a clerk or stenographer
in sight.
pretty soft whispered Carruth
Don't have to come to work until they
get ready
MAYBE there Is some good rea.
son why nobody is here tried to
tell him.
"At last the Official found the pa.
pers. and then the process began. He
got out a new document, and began
asking questions of my friend. He
asked him where he was born, and
how long ago, and all about when he
started to this country. and on what
boat. and when he got to New York
and~ the name Of his father and
mother, and a great deal more.
I am going to ask you some ques.
tions,' said the official, looking at Doo-
little. Can you tell me seven sorts
Of laws the Federal Government can
make that the States cannot?'
Il tell you. I shuddered Tor Doo-
little. How would you like to have a
question such as that fred at you off
hand. out Of clear sky, as they say?"
Don't believe I could answer it
without retiring into the inner office.
grinned Forsooth, blowing an ex.
pansive ring.
BLOW 1t the other way, the next
time" ordered Templeton Jones. con-
tinuing:
AT first I was afraid Doolittle was
stumped, but, being n real American,
although they haven't admitted him
yet, he came right back at the ques-
toner. He has studied law, You know,
and that helped him.
$50 he began to tell the man some
Of the laws he sought. when the latter
Interrupted: Il guess that will be
enough
".Do you ask such a question as
that often?' asked Carruth.
THE naturalization official admitted
he did not. saying it was harder than
usual. Carruth said afterward that
1t would do no good to ask that ques-
ton Of many applicants.
K X X \
"It was $40. by this time, when in
sailed a young lady in hat and coat.
She came in one door, passed a few
remarks, and went out another.
"Carruth chortled with glee, think
ing he had found a gross case of gov
ernmental slackness. Maybe he had,
but, then. on the other hand, there
may have been a perfectly good rea-
son for the lack of assistance given
the gentleman.
Our presence as witnesses, how.
ever, was not required here, but over
at the Courthouse. where we went
via Pennsylvania avenue street car
walking up to D street. That is a
pretty building, Ned.
Inside, we proceeded to the clerk S
office, where Doolittle had to sign his
name, time after time. in a ire.
mendous ledger. He had to hold up
his hand. and swear, and then we had
to sign our names, as witnesses, at
two various places. and hold up our
hands. and swear we had known Doo-
little to be resident of the District Of
Columbia for at least years, and to
be a man of good moral character,
etc.
And now he is a real America n
citiZen?" questioned Forsooth
Not on your life:' smiled Temple
ton Jones. "Out in the States they
are not SO strict. understand. but in
the National Capital it is different
Doolittle will have to wait 90 days,
and then go before the judge, with us
as his witnesses, and be solemnly ad.
mitted. The easiest way to become a
citizen of the United States, my boy, Is
TO he horn here ~