Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05
Capital Sidelights

a good turn for the rising generation
by calling to their attention the record
of some hero whose exploits should
forever be kept green in the memory
of a grateful people. Just now 1t Is
Representative Eaton Of New Jersey,
who focuses attention on the very i'm
portant part that Gen. Daniel Bray
performed In making successful WASH
ington's crossing Of the Delaware. he
emphasizes that Gen. Brays modest
tombstone makes no mention OF his
distinguished military service. Whlch ne
was too modest to acclaim
Gen. Bray's most spectacular ex-
plot was in preparation for the cross
ing of Washington's troops at Mckon-
keys Ferry, now WaShingtonS Crossing.
lust before the memorable battle OF
Trenton.
Feeling that the success Of his plan
would depend upon his having controi
of all the Durham boats between the
Lehigh and Coryells Ferry. now Lam
bertville, Washington charged Gen.
Green with the duty of seeing that ali
such boats we're secured and brought
down the river Gen Green. knowing
the valor and trustworthinesS OF Capt,
Bray, assigned this special duty TO him,
with Capt. Jacob Gearheart and Capt.
Thomas Jones as his associates in the
enterprise.
So successful was this difficult and
dangerous undertaking that every Dur
ham boat was secured and safely hid
den below Coryells Ferry until needed.
Capt. Bray served in various battles
during the struggle for liberty. and IN
the War Of 1912 he Is recorded as flav-
ing company of trained men ready
for service at call.
His colleagues in the cicakroom OF
the House have just heard how the
bantam Democratic floor leader, Jack
Garner, during his recent trip home
while hunting with friend, Pete Wal
colt, killed a big panther, or mountain
lion, or puma. weighing more than zoe
pounds. He shot it down out of tree
1t was on display for a short time in
a garage in Mr. Gamers home town
Uvalde. His son has sent it TO San
Antonio to have the skin cured and the
head mounted, so that it can be used
for rug.
Mr.. Garner has the reputation OF
being not only the best catch-as-catch-
can debater in the House, but is also
rated as one of the best fishermen in
the United States The mountain lion
or panther. such as Mr. Garner shot
is very rare in Texas. but recent prairie
fires in Mexico have denuded their
grazing grounds and sent them scurry-
ing across the Rio Grande.
y y X
Tribute to Patent Commissioner Rob-
ertson as very efficient" was paid on
the floor Of the House during debate
on the Patent Office appropriations TO,
the coming fiscal year by Representa-
| tive Newton of Minnesota, who said
that the Patent Once is practically
self-supporting and that practicing pat
ent lawyers are criticizing a policy oil
keeping this agency pincfled down for
funds as II 1t were load on the Treas
ury.
The following testimony by Commits
sioner Robertson. showing that the Pat
ent Office, besides being the corner
stone Of industry throughout the coun-
try, has really always more than paid
its own way, was made a part of the
record:
Until 10 years ago there vas a sur.
plus every year since the Civil War
and the aggregate surplus OF all those
years amounted to $7.0S2, 400 SO or
June 80 last. after deducting the def
icits of the last several years. In add.
ton 10 that, believe the Patent Office
Building was paid for ont OF Paten,
Once funds. So the Patent once ha.
been real going concern until the
last Few years. when, owing 70 increases
In printing costs and increases in sala
ries, We have had a deicit. rs said
the past year amounting TO s245, 900
The hafnpa
Some interesting statistics abou;
Uncle Sans clerical army have Jus,
been compiled by Representative VIII
r. Wood. Republican. of Indiana. He
calls attention that We nov have s59.-
1873 employees in the Executive Civil
Service. Last year 42o63 were ap-
pointed. and 4s9 different kinds OF ex-
aminationS were held
In the District OF Columbia there
are $4,000 Civil Service employees. or
Just little more than one-tenth OF
the whole number. OF these 3S,567
are men and 24,233 are women.
or course the Post Once Depart
ment has the largest number OF en-
ployes-in fact. much more than one
half Of the total. or 500. TAO, and of these
only 5000 are in Washington The
Treasury Department Is the largest en-
ployer in Washington with 1900, while
IL has a total Of 5l.S33 upon its pay roll
all over the country. The Navy comes
next with 5,5T6 employees in Washing
ton out of total of 43.425. The De-
partment Of Agriculture ranks third
with 1881 employees in Washington GU,
OF total OF 81 .762.
There were 26T $40 persons who took
Civil Service examinations last year.
y
Some men keep perennially young
ana preserve their good nature and
display agility even though threescore
years and ten have passed them by
with kindly gentleneSS One such Is
William A. ,better known as Andy
smith. who has for So years been
handling the Congressional Record at
the Capitol, representing the Govern
ment Printing Office. Young Andy
has Just learned TO drive his new auto
mobile. is exceedingly def AZ the wheel
and t!reless motoriSt.