Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-30
Typical American Service

! In the opinion of many of the peo-
pie of Europe. and some of the gov,
ernmentS. Americans are graSpers.
hearts throbbing only to the rhythm
of the clink of coin. Uncle Sam has
been pictured repeatedly in the Satiric
art OF the overseas press as a greedy,
hard boiled collector of funds, Il ruth
less uSurer.
In view Of this belief regarding our
national character. it Is gratifying to
note a striking example of American
generosity that may serve TO dispel
the illusion of American avarice that
so generally prevails abroad Yester-
day at Budapest jeremiah Smith,
American economist who has recent
ly complet u "a two-year task in the
| reorganization Of the finances Of Hun
gary, declined to receive a check for
$10O, 900, representing his fee for that
service, rendered to him by the gov
eminent of Hungary. The converse
ton between Mr.. Smith and the prime
minister on that occasion, as reported
in the dispatches, is worthy Of repeti-
ton:
Give it to charity" said the Amer
lean, as he handed the check back to
the astonished prime minister. Your
poor need it more than l do"
But it is your compensation for
your two years service to u.s." argued
Count Bethlen.
THE only compensation l desire
for my work is the appreciation and
the friendship Of the Hungarian peo-
ple," answered Mr.. Smith, who. though
by no means wealthy himself, felt
! that he could not conscientiously ac-
cept even his salary from a people in
so straitened circumstances as the
HungarianS.
but the vouchers already have
been issued by the state and their
entry cannot be altered in the treas
ury books" persisted Count Bethlen.
Then re-enter it in your books as
gift from the American people to
the people of Hungary" Mr.. Smith
rejoined. declining definitely to accept
the money.
When Count Bethlen suggested that
the Hungarian government would
like to honor him with high deco
ration the Boston lawyer answered:
IF you do then l shall never for
give you. Your friendship and graft
tude are more precious to me than
any decoration"
This incident happens to have be-
come widely known through the pub
lie circumstances in which it occurred
But there have been scores of others
of a like character, though perhaps
not in just the same terms Ameri-
cans have repeatedly given their serv-
ices for nothing for the sake of suf-
fering humanity. They have served
in perilous situations in times of
famine and disease, under the fire of
artillery, in the midst Of turmoil, as
Samaritans for the succor of the afflict-
ed, as guides for the redemption of
great numbers, sometimes as leaders
in crises. Their names are legion, and
have never been blazoned.
In this case jeremiah Smith follow
ed natural impulse. He had done a
remarkable work in the rescue of Hun.
gary from financial distress, perhaps
from collapse. He had, in two years,
put that country its feet. The par.
lament had hailed him as the savior
Of the country. He felt that he could
not accept fee for such a work. He
had not gone to Budapest as a bust
ness man, but as the friend of an un.
fortunate people.
Mr.. Smith has rendered great serv.
ice to his own country in thus declin.
ing to capitalize his labors in Hun.
gary. He has helped to dispel an I'M
just illusion regarding the American
national character. Although he NAV
refuse to receive any decoration from
the government of Hungary, he will
be crowned with laurel by his own
countrymen upon his return for hav.
ing SO gallantly and modestly carried
on the fundamental American tradi.
ton.