Evening star., 1932-09-11
Business That We Love-" "


exceeded by any other city in the world,
may be said to be community in which
people love their work. The reasons
are many. Among the number are the
fact that the pursuit of material profit
plays little part in the endeavors of
thousands and the fact that patriotism
Of one kind or another is controlling
motive in the enterprises of still other
thousands. Washington Is the Nations
Capital, and as such it Is the focal CEN
ter for nationally endowed science and
art. as well as for philanthropic and
educational interests Of national scope.
The labor of the men and women en-
gagged in these departments Of human
effort is not predicated on economic
gain; Its objective Is cultural in char
acter. An ardent enthusiasm is a nee
essary quantity in the equipment of the
workers, and that enthusiasm is ex-
pressed in terms of genuine affection
for their tasks.
It would be easy to list scores Of
illustrations. There Is the case Of Or.
Herbert Putnam, librarian of Congress
whose devotion to the development Of
the great institution over which he pre-
sides Is an inspiration to all his staff
and to large section Of the general
public. There is the example of Edwin
N. Lewis, editor Of the Cathedral Age
and secretary Of the National Cathedral
Association, a young newspaper man
who, catching the vision Ct a maenih-
Gently beautiful house Of prayer for all
people in the Nations Capital, tirelessly
labors day and night in advocacy Of the
completion Of the Cathedral on Mount
Saint Aban. There Is the instance of
Michael Eidsness, superintendent Of the
division Of stamps of the Post Once
Department, who, discovering the edu-
cational significance Of philately, has
created, almost unaided, a national
hobby which annually puts thousands
Of dollars into the pockets CT Uncle
Sam. There is DR.. George Willis
Ritchey, veteran astronomer and builder
Of telescopes, who, at the Naval OBJ
servatory, Is feverishly toiling to COM
plete q sky searcher of revolutionary
value to science. There Is Alexander
B. Trowbridge, architect and connois-
seur, to whom, with Paul P. Cret, Is due
the beauty Of the Folger Library. And
there is Robert S. Brookings, economist
and humanist, who, at eighty-two, still
ardently Is seeking, through the tnsti-
tuition he founded for the purpose, the
best and wisest ways toward social
harmony and peace. To know these
men Is a privilege and a joy. What
was said Of Leonardo Da Vinci-that
his genius gave his fellows q sense oi
gratitude that they were members Of
the human family-mIght be said OF
them. They indicate the possibilities
of life not necessarily freed from carp
ing care, but at least of life leavened
and uplifted by broad vision and brave
hopes.
Shakespeare. in the fourth act Of "An-
tony and Cleopatra" expresses an illumi-
mating thought. He represents his here
at the hour Of dawn, preparing fol
battle. A warrior, the field summons
him with attraction not to be denieo
by one who does not fear the fray. "Tc
business that we love-" he tells an eager
comrade, I'VE rise betime, and 60 to Il
with delight"
Surely it is to occupations for which
they have affection that men give theil
best thought and strength, and the goa
of humanity must be golden age II
which all who toll will be so motivatec
and so rewarded by love. Progress, il
this respect, may be considered to sym
boIize the gradual conquest of natur'
and circumstance by happy and con
tented people.