Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL r. KENNEDY.

prominent in the Capital are proudly
displaying useful. as we'll as historical,
souvenirs Of their contributions to the
fund for rebuilding odd Ironsides,
the Frigate Constitution. These souvenirs
are in the form Of book ends made of
material removed from the original hull
OF the famous ship in the process of
reconstruction as a lasting relic for all
time. Rear Admiral Philip Andrews, at
the Boston Navy Yard, is chairman of
the national Save Old 1ronsides COM
mittee.
One type of book ends represents the
large steering wheel or capstan with
a relief picture in the center of Old
Ironsides under full sail. cast from
copper sheathing and filled with lead
from the magazine lining. Another type
Is made from original live oak timbers,
the upright portion representing the butt
of a cannon.
"Old Ironsides" embodies the ideals
of the Republic, Admiral Andrews en-
phasizes. She is a living reminder OF
the glorious spirit that gives to our
country the position of prestige which
she occupies today among the nations
Of the world. One of the first three
naval vessels built by the United States,
she was launched in Hartt's shipyard.
Boston. in October, 1897. The following
year the Constitution was active in
suppressing French privateers in the
West Indies; in 1904, forced peace with
the Barbary Pirates, stopping further
tribute to them. During the War OF
1912 she defeated the Guerrero, Java.
Picton, Cyane. Leyant, and captured
many other men-of-war breaking the
tradition OF British supremacy on the
seas, turning the tide OF defeat to
int sAreSSiNn
New England States from. the Union.
and establishing the Declaration OF
Independence as fact.
old Ironsides," champion OF Amer
lean liberty, Is being completely rebuilt
In the Navy Yard at Boston. Mass. A
floating relic, restored to her former
glory, she will visit the ports OF our
country. an inspiration and lasting
lesson in patriotism to all who see her.
Frigate Constitution by public subscrip--
ton was authorized by an act OF
Congress.
The plight Of the poor, impoverished,
necessitouS farmer was the sob feature
Of the last campaign. with fervid oratory
employed to depict his dire distress and
the zeal of either party TO bring him
Federal relief.
Then Congress was called into
extraordinary session for the main pur-
pose Of passing legislation beneficial to
the agricultural interests to place them
dustry, with the result that our new
Government agency. the Federal Farm
Board, Is now in session.
Coincident with the first meeting OF
this new board came CONSERVATION TO
the great mass OF the voting pubic,
when q paid press agent announced
that sumptuouS quarters In a suite OF
IL rooms, the same ones occupied by
President-elect Hoover in his pre-in-
auguration conferences, in one OF the
most finely appointed hotels IN the
country, has been engaged by the
Public Buildings Commission. for the
use of these specialists in various lines
who are engaged in devising ways to
help the down trodden farmer to help
himself.
why must this board of relief have
such eVtravagant quarters? was the
cry heard from rural communities scat
tered all over the country. as well as
from carping critics in other lines OF
industry.
The answer given by the Public
Buildings Commission Is simple. and
lucid. These quarters in the Mayhower
Hotel are engaged for only one month.
They have been rented furnished, tine
commission says. for so per cent lesFF
than was asked for similar amount
of space in an office building.
The hotel can well afford to make
this special rate" to the Public Build
ing Commission because the presence
of the Federal Farm Board attracts to
the hotel scores and even hundreds of
persons and organizations who desire to
present their views to the board. Some
of these delegations are we'll supplied
with funds, so the position OF the hotel
is really the same as 1t assumes toward
social or fraternal organizations In
allowing them the use Of meeting places
when individually the members hire
rooms.
Thus has another scandal" Of the
Hoover administration been exploded.
The new coupon sized" currency
continues to be the subject of contro-
versy. historical and otherwise;
Some folks are protesting that the
new $40 gold certificate bears in fore
ground Of the illustration Of the
Treasury on the back Of the bill the
picture Of popular, low priced auto
mobile. Others protest that nationally
known banking institution, which ad-
vertises that 1t Is located just across the
street from the United States Treasury.
and which few years ago was one OF
the most famous court controversies
with the Treasury is also shown in the
picture on the $40 note-getting pre-
ferred advertising.
OF course. the most important
historical error called to the attention
of Treasury officials is the joker on the
new 50 notes which display portrait
of Thomas Jefferson on the face and
his home. Monticello. on the reverse.
Two artifical lions are shown guarding
the entrance to Monticello. despite the
fact that they were not there IN
Jefferson's time but were placed there
only few years ago by former Con-
gresham Jefferson M. Levy OF New
York while he was nominally owner OF
the estate. The lions have since been
banished from Monticello. Further
more the picture used by the Treasury
was not one Of the original Jefferson
building and not as It now appears.
There is also an appeal heard for q
picture on the back Of the 81 notes.
such as the notes OF higher de-
nomination carry.
House Leader Tilson, now OF Con-
necticut but originally from the noun
tains Of Tennessee, Is real proud OF the
fact that another son OF his native
State holds the distinction OF being the
only man in the records Of the Govern
ment to have held q commission OF
major general of the Army and rear
admiral in the Navy. This was Rear
Admiral-Maj. Gen. Samuel Powhatan
Carter who was appointed a midship-
man in the Navy in 1910 and particl-
pated in the taking of Vera Cruz. He
| was at one time attached to the United
States Naval Observatory in Washing
ton and again was commandant OF the
Naval Academy, Annapolis.
In 1851 he was ordered to special
service with the Army In East Tennes-
see and was commissioned acting briga-
dier general in the Fall Of that year:
TUE wears later he was provost marshal