Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-09
BY BASIL MANLY.

Visiting the Chief Justice of the
United States, I found him seated at
his desk in the comfortable Office of his
Washington home. Before him lay the
manuscript of his decision in one of the
important cases now pending before the
Supreme Court.
Seventy-one years old last FALL Chief
Justice Taft today looks as hearty and
almost as young as he did 16 years ago,
when he left the White House.
What is the secret of his health and
unfagging energy after half a century
in the public service? The answer is
easy-careful diet, moderate exercise
and a sense of humor which preserves
the spirit of youth. The old, deep
throated chuckle and the wholesome
laugh afford the relief which lightens
the burden of presiding over the most
august tribunal in the world.
The Chief Justice delights in this
sense of humor. He pities and is amused
by those who lack it.
Have you read the diary of John
Quincy Adans?" he asked. 1T is
charming. I am using it just now 'or
my bedtime reading I work until 9
and then read for an hour to put myself
in the proper frame of mind for a good
nights sleep. Adams was a great man,
but he had no sense of humor. get a
good laugh out of almost every page of
his self-revealing narrative"
After further pleaSantrieS and remin-
iscences Of war days and our experience
on the War Labor Board, broached the
principal subject of my visit.
"It is 10 years." I said, "Since the
state of confusion, caused by that tre-
mendous upheaval. Many of us whose
function it is to view developments from
day to day are perplexed to know in
what direction it is moving. Are we
going forward or are we, as some pes
simistic commentators proclaim, losing
our hold upon the fundamentals OF
civilization and falling constantly back
ward? What developments or tenden-
cies do you see that should particularly
concern us as good American citizens?
Appraisal Is Guess.
"By virtue of your experience and the
detached position which you occupy,
us lack and which is necessary to any
sound judgment"
ANY appraisal of the trend of our
civilization the Chief Justice replied,
"can be nothing better than luess.
We are still too near the cataclySmic
eruption that shook the whole world
during the four years of the war for
any one to venture an assured opinion
on the general trend of the great forces
which sway the destiny of this and
every other nation.
LAS you know" Mr.. Taft continued,
'I am always an optimist and firmly
believe that the American people will
find way to solve the perplexing prob
lens which now beSet them. Neverthe-
less, there are conditions Confronting
us today which merit the consideration
of every citizen who has at heart the
welfare of the Nation and the fut' re of
his children and his children'S chill
dren"
What do you consider the most dis
turbing element in our national nfe?" I
asked
ut is difficult to describe precisely" "
the Chief Justice replied, "but it may
be understood when I characterize it
as the materialistic philosophy which
places wealth and worldly success ahead
of every other consideration in life.
What can it profit a man to have accu-
mulated millions If he has not at the
same time maintained clear con-
science and acquired the good will and
esteem of his fellow citizens?"
Menaces Civilization.
"What relation, if any," asked, "do
you see between this lust for wealth
at any cost and the problem of organ
lied crime that is today challenging the
government of every large city in the
country?"
There is a problem" the Chief JUS
tice replied, which unquestionably
menaces our civilization. Our entire
machinery of justice must be geared up
to cope with it. Our police forces, our
prosecuting organizations and our court
system must all be improved until we
are able to subdue these criminal organ
izations.
1.-The aftermath of war, which made
the destruction of human life COM
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