Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-29
CAROL STUDIES CONDITIONS
I'm CARB OF PLAIN CITIZEN
King, Fighting for Popularity, Prods
Lazy Officials by Surprise Calls
and Gives Money to Poor.

knocked at the door. An angry voice
came from inside, asking:
Cant you wait until it b your
turn?"
But the King stepped in. The police
commissioner was in the midst OF ques-
tioning two pickpockets. Recognizing
the caller. he was much embarrassed
Disturbs OfaciaTs Nap.
The next stop was made at the tax
administration, where Carol made very
disappointing discoveries. Still worse
surprises awaited him when ne visited
the inspector of the administration Of
the district sick fund. The doors were
tightly shut, no doctor or clerk was to
be found.
At the police station No. 40, which
came next, the door also was shut and
from inside came loud snoring. It re-
quired repeated knocks to awaken the
police officer, who almost tainted when
he saw who had disturbed his rest. He
vainly pleaded that his district Is 20
exemplarily peaceful that there was no
harm in his nap during ONCE houEs-
Carol departed, unconvinced, ana or
dered an investigation.
Since Carols first surprise visit there
are no more diligent officials in the
world than those in Bucharest. for the
King repeats his inspections from time
to time. They also had a good effect
on the public offices in the provincial
towns, for the King said he would ex-
tend his trips to them. He owns some
of the fastest motor cars in Run1ania,
so distances are no obstacles.
Visits Poor District.
Already at his first round trip the
King visited bakers and butchers shops
and the public markets. ending with q
call in the poor district of the Calea
Rahovei. This district, forming the
southern outskirts of the city, consists
Of wretched one-fioor houses and mis-
cradle shacks. The pavement Of the
street, If there is any, defies descrip-
ton. Automobiles must pass slowly
and with utmost precaution. Neglected
or abandoned little gardens with slant
heaps and the air is tainted.
Here live peddlers. gypsies and other
poor folk. among them many unenn-
ployed, who found shelter in this cheap
quarter after having eaten up their
savings.
Carol talked to old men and women,
to mothers of many children and to
voorhees, workers. He also entered some
Of the miserable dwellings to get a closer
Here and there he distributed money.
At first he succeeded in hiding his iden-
tity, but after q while the people dis.
covered whoahe was. Then the news O;
his presence spread like wiIdfire. A BIT
crowd assembled and cheered him.
officials Became Wary.
On the way back to the palace Care
encountered a group Of peasants, VIII
were eagerly discussing something. H
stopped his car and asked them wf1a
they were talking about. 1t turned on
that they had come to Bucharest t
buy a horse and had found q Suitabl
one, but had not enough money TO buy
1t. Here, too, Carol saved the situation.
After having reached the palace the
King personally dictated a report Of his
round trip to his secretary and sent 1t
TO the director of the press department,
who issued q communique to the on
cial news agency and the papers.
Later attempts to mingle with his
subjects unrecognized Carol found not
, so easy as the first time. Ofacials have
become suspicious and are on their
| guard. And the simple people mistake
now every tall grown man in q decent
lounge suit, who has q remote resemb-
lance to Carols oil prints adjoining the
walls of the schools and Offices and the
WALOONS VI SbdJlOucIy SINUS. ne Will
have to leave longer intervals between
his inspection tours. Meantime he
makes sudden unexpected appearances
In smaller towns.
A Fight for Popularity.
Carol is fighting for his popularity,
for his family is not q national Ruma-
MAN dynasty, but was called into the
country from Germany. The Rumanian
intellectual is monarchist, because he
believes that In view of the low civiliza-
ton Of the great mass of the people
monarchic system Is q better safeguard
for the maintenance Of order and for
the growth of prosperity than @ repub-
lie. The enthusiasm with which the
King was received on his return was fos-
tered largely by the hope that brighter
day was dawning for the country. This
hope has proved fallacious, for the gen
eral economic crisis did not spare Ru-
mania and the situation today Is more
critical than before. Carol is still popu-
lar in his country. But If he cannot
bring about an improvement, he runs
the danger that his popularity will wane
and that people will ask themselves why
they should have a King. If he cannot
bring them prosperity. For q sovereign
today 1t Is much more difficult to up
hold his prestige than in the days be-
fore the war.
1t is quite possible that before long
Carol will feel obliged to play a much
holder game for his crown than by
rousing officials. who sleep during work
ing hours, and by conSoling poor women
with couple thousand lei.