Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-04
Legge Wins Popular Acclaim
By Thrust at Social Bickerine

A bit Of satire on Washington social
chickering's has won for Chairman Legge
Of the Federal Farm Board unique popu-
lar acclaim at the outset Of his official
career. The Capital and the country
laugh with him at this dismay of social
secretaries upon learning that in the
matter of seating at dinners the men,
berS of the Farm Board wouldn't mind
places in the kitchen.
"One gathers at least the beginning
Of suspicion that Mr.. Legge has Q
political talent" remarks the Des Moi1es
Tribune Capital, while the Dayton Daily
News believes that he has made polit-
ical start which may lead him far" but
that "for the present it Is enough to
know that the chairman of the new
Farm Board isn't dud."
His reply to one inquirer that his
associations had been with AL Capone
in Chicago is quoted by the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette with the statement: THAT
up. But 1t was far enough to show the
country that Mr.. Legge has sense of
humor as well as the yardstick Of big
business man for some customs. He
added In reporting the incident that the
members of the Farm Board would be
perfectly content II given places in the
kitchen-to avoid trouble they would
even wait for the second table. The
only question now is how far up front
they will be pushed"
This attitude may not insert many
rungs In the family's social ladder" ac-
cording to the Toledo Blade, but 1t does
seem like a good recommendation for
one entering upon a new job with Uncle
Sam" The Albany Evening News OBJ
serves: THAT settles another momen-
tous question and it raises q national
guffaw. And we reckon it sort Of puts
Mr.. Legge up at the head Of the table.
The Sioux Falls Argus-Leader feels that
''his attitude will be popular with the
farmers" and the Salina Journal COM
mentS: "Our guess Is that If the Farm
Board functions as 1t is hoped 1t Will,
the farmer, whom Mr.. Legge represents,
isn't going to be insulted any more than
is Mr.. Legge If that gentleman has to
sit at the foot of the table, or In fact
isn't invited at ALL"
There is not a farmer in the land,
declares the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, who
will not have more faith in the Farm
Board after this outbreak Of sarcasm
from Mr.. Legge, the chairman. Tradi-
tionally there are more ways than one
to skin q cat. There are certainly more
ways than one of establishing public
confidence in any branch of the public
service" The Rochester TimeS-Union
thinks that Chairman Legge" has scored
home rum; that he may not be
dirt farmer, but he has made strong
bid for a place as the farmers hero OF
the United States" and that paper con-
cludes, 1T is certain that he knows
how to puncture social sham"
Revolutions in politics and govern
ment come and 60, but questions Of pre-
cedence and fitness in social life lose
nothing of their momentous quality or
character" says. the Chicago Daily
News. HAS not a great philosopher
said that the cure for the ills Of democ-
racy is mere democracy? In that apho-
rism lies the key to the solution Of the
society problem. Why not ask fash
ionable dinner guests to draw numbers
from a hat as they enter the dining
room? Under that plan no one could
complain Of discrimination; chance
would rule. Good nature would prevail
Neighbors at table would be treated to
pleaSing-or other-surpriSes, and din
ners would be enlivened by the excite
ment which attends the making Of I'M
studied contacts. Many dinner COM
panion artlessly drawn out Of q hat
would prove superior to the best that
painful calculation could provide. And
the promotion Of democracy where 1t Is
soreiy needed would be all to the good. y
"If the Government of the United
States--this great Nation thai reigns
supreme in financial and commercial
matters Of the world-has decided to
devote itself to dinner table arrange
ments," observes the Champaign News
Gazette, then let US take down Old
Glory and run up tabiecloth. Let us
snatch from the hands Of our soldiers
their rifles and bayonets and replace
them with knives and forks; let Us
abolish trivial matters Of state business
in Congress and institute a discussion
81 where 10 seat lss forty-ninth assist
AMT to the Secretary Of War. 90 that ct