Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-22
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Save for a timely comment of the
George Washington Bicentennial Com
mission, the 18th anniversary last week
of the day George Washington, as Pres
ident of the United States, laid the cor
ner stone of the Capitol passed en-
tirely unnoticed. September 18, 1893,
the commission recalled, Washington,
clothed in the symbolic regalia of the
Ancient Order of Free MaSonS, and
wearing the Masonic apron made for
him by the Marchionee de Lafayette,
was the chief figure in elaborate cere-
monies. There we're songs, prayers, ora
tions and artillery volleys, and then,
according to original records OF the
Alexandria Lodge of Masons, the whole
company retired to an extensive booth,
where an OK of 500 pounds weight was
barbecued, OF which the company gen
orally partook, with every abundance
of other recreation" departing before
dark with joyful hopes OF the produc-
ton of their labor"
One of the important tasks OF the
George Washington Bicentennial COM
mission Is to discover Unpublished letters
of Washington, of which there are sup
posed to be many, foi inclusion In the
publication of Washington's writings
authorized by Congress. The first Pres
ident was prolific writer. His papers,
journals, diaries and letters in the LII
brary of Congress will fill Is volumes OF
the new Washingtonia, but DR.. John
G. Fitzpatrick, who will edit the Con-
gressional Memorial, estimates that only
one-half Of Washington's letters have
been published. Every now and then
a heretofore hidden" Washington let
ter is discovered in some remote place,
usually by accident Some have been
found in Europe and still others in
Australia. The Centennial Commission
is not asking any one to part with
original writings. merely requesting the
privilege Of making reprints Of them.
Since publication of former Ambassa-
dor Gerard's list of 81 men who really
rule the United States" suggestions have
been made that the members of the dis
tinguished group devote their talents to
some modern complexities, such as the
trade depression or the prohibition prob
lem. A New York newspaper, which
enterprisingly sought to ascertain how
the rulers" would set about to over
come the present economic snag, did not
get far. Twenty or more were on vaca-
ton, and of those reached all but one
or two modestly declined to voice an
opinion. One ruler" who is chairman
Of the board of large public utilities
holding company, permitted himself to
be quoted to the extent OF eight words.
THE remedy is more work and less
talk, he vouchsafed.
*
Are American smokers forsaking the
pipe?-"the historical, the original and
probably the most leiSurely manner of
smoking"--the Commerce Department
inquiries while submitting production
figures which reveal steady falling off
in the manufacture of pipes in the last
decade. Other reports show constant
increase in the number of cigarettes
consumed annually since the World
War. Meanwhile chewing gum manu-
facturers are doing an unprecedented
business, while tobacco manufactured
for chewing purposes has almost ceased
to be a source of Government revenue.
y 4
Fewer counterfeits and fewer at
tempts at counterfeiting have marked
the use of small-sized currency now is
months in circulation, Chief Moran OF
the Secret Service has reported to Sec
rotary Mellon. Distinctive designs and
the type of paper selected have reduced
counterfeit operations to a minimum,
despite unemployment which Is calcu-
lated to breed crime of this sort, Moran
looks forward to the time when the
money-handling public, which includes
every one, will examine their currency
and detect counterfeits as soon as they
appear The same portrait is carried
on only one denomination. For in
stance, Washington's portrait appears
only on the one-dollar bill. This makes
the new currency easily recognizable,
which is an essential factor in preven-
ton Of counterfeiting.
\ y X
Seventeen Governors of States,
ex-Governors, II State supreme judges
and q large number of distinguished
civilians In all walks Of life agree with
Representative Louis Ludlow of Indiana
that something ought to be done to
curb GENERALIZATION of government in
Washington. They have written to
Ludlow in commentator of his reso-
luton to provide for commission to
study the Capitalization trend with
view TO suGgesting ways Of retxacing