The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-07-02
LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald

Especial to Sank Centre Herald
Washington, July LIT seems
that the President means to make his
visit at Swampscott real vacation
insofar as his official duties will per-
init. The reaction has already been
felt in the quality of news dispatches
emanating from the summer capital.
Some correspondents have been with
drawn from the Massachusetts, as
signment and either returned to Wash
ington or sent to Dayton, Tenn, for
the sensational features of the forth
coming evolution trial. 1t is apparent
from these switches that public opin-
ion will be turned toward the question
of evolution and the Bible rather than
politics.
In Washington there is little of
political interest to warrant newspap-
er space. The absence of the Chief
Executive and Congress accounts for
the dearth of real live political infor-
nation. Seasoned observers refuse to
become excited owe talks of abolish
ing certain government agencies when
Congress convenes next December.
From the standpoint of government
officials and employees, today is the
beginning of the fiscal year of 1926.
Usually new laws become effective on
July l and old laws expire on June
80, although there are some excep-
tions to the rule. The most important
feature of the day is the fact appro-
priationS are made available today
and this means renewed interest in
governmental programs, especially
economic activities.
The various internal scraps in the
governmental department provoke all
sorts of proposals for legislative
cure-alls. There are some senators
and congressman who are now advo-
eating the abolishing of the Federal
Trade Commission and the Tariff
Commission, because of quarrels
within the organizations as to policies.
There is q similar agitation in sew
eral bureau of the Department of Ag-
riculture where those who have been
entrenched for years resent infusion
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, con-
tending that it was overlapping, UNI
necessary, etc. A survey shows that
only one or two minor bureaus were
abolished by legislation. There have
been instances where divisions have
been merged and the personnel trans
ferred, few having been completely
wiped out. Bureaucrats and others
having place in the sun do not know
political parties. Each administra-
ton has its share of internal squab-
bles. These affairs may be compared
to family quarrels where individuals
abuse each other but unite against
criticism of the group.
-"
While the public announcement of
the retirement of. Miss Laura Harlan
as social secretary to Mrs. Coolidge
is merely an item of passing interest
to the public at large, it has aroused
the attention of official Washington.
There is some speculation as to
whether Miss Harlan retired by re-
quest or Of her own volition. Her
resignation does not take effect until
the fall when Mrs. Coolidge 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
ments. Mr.. Cook is very debonair
gentlemen who is recognized as the
final authority on whats what in
Washington society. The meeting
of diplomatic and high American gov
eminent officials at various social
functions is more than mere social
affair. 1t is an event of international
Importance in many cases. History
records serious developments and in
ternational Misunderstanding arous-
ed from social blunders at various
world capitals.
In order to promote better interna-
tional understanding by personal con-
tact, the State Department finds it
worth while to have special office
devoted to this activity. The various
American citizens reading of a diplo-
matte reception or dinner given by
cabinet officer do not always realize
its significance in world affairs.
Mr.. Cook has occupied his present
tiers for a number of years and has
become perhaps the most useful man
in Washington Society. He is often
Corners in official life. He knows the
social niceties and is regarded as a
life-saver at all functions of this
character. The international social
code prevails in Washington and is
considerably different from the social
usages which are accepted in other
American cities. Here the formali-
ties must be observed to the letter.
1t is necessary to know the presidents,
etc. Especially at social functions
where high officials are present, it is
essential that somebody should know
the relative rank of distinguished
guests in order that no visitor be
sighted. 1t is an easy matter to
blunder in society. :.
Mr.. Cook is walking encyclopedia