Evening star., 1933-11-23
precipitated by any special incident or
complaint. 1t was issued at this time
merely because a much more elaborate

order containing the identical pro-
visions-except for the standing at
attention'-has just been issued by the
division of public buildings and parks
of the National Park Service. This
order itself does not depart in sub
stance from the regulations that al
ways have been in effect, but the trans
partment neceSsitated clariflcation
Of the requirements.
Independent Force.
The Treasury guard force of II men
barely enough to guard the door
WAYS it is stressed-is an Independent
force. while the guards in other Gov
ernment buildings, except for the Capt.
tol are under the jurisdiction OF the
division of public buildings and parks
The Treasury force is responsible
directly to the Secretary of the
Nevertheless, it always has been GUS
tomary to preserve uniformity through
out the Federal establishment, and
when orders are issued for guards in
other buildings, the Treasury does like
wise. That is why, Mr.. Birgfeld en-
plains, the order happened to be issued
at this particular time. The National
Park Service order was lost sight of as
a matter of routine The Treasury
order happened to attract somebody's
attention and, coming on the heels of
Acting Secretary Morganthau's press
gag rule, with which it had nothing in
common, was made much of.
About all it means, Mr.. Birgfeld eX-
plains, is that a guard shall pay such
reasonable attention to personal ap-
pearance as ordinarily would be ex-
pected in any establishment, order or
no order. The inspections" it was ex-
planned, are not departure from what
has been customary in the past. al
though sometimes they have been
passed up in the press Of work.
Feels Responsibility.
THE men are under my Office" Mr.
Birgfeld said, "and I feel responsible
for them and like to know them. But
if it were not for these inspections 1t
is entirely possible that I might never
see a guard again once had inter
viewed and hired him. There are three
shifts. Sometimes a man goes i'm
mediately on the midnight shift and
remains there by preference. The only
way I can get acquainted with these
men is to call them in once in while" )"
At such meetings, he says, he tries to
give out news which will help keep up
morale. In the past it was sometimes
possible to announce recommendations
for pay raises, but this sort of morale
raising information has been conspic-
uous by its absence Of late.
These guards-who not only protect
the Nations treasure vaults but often
are the first contact made by the citi-
zen with the Federal Government
have enormously responsible jobs for the
pay they get, Mr.. Birgfeld said They
are asked to preserve dignity in keep
ing with their responsibility, but no
more So than Is asked in the average
business organization. The Treasury
has not been infected with a germ of
militariSm.
"See Mr.. Birgfeld, ETC., ETC."
The sergeant of the guard on duty
this morning said politely"and sitting
down-that he was not at liberty to di-
ullge any information whatever.
Has it been customary to require as1 etlie the
shoes shined?" he was asked.
See Mr.. Birgfeld."
Has it been customary to prohibit
guards from sitting down on duty?"
1T isn't now, but you'll have to see
Mr.. Birgfeld."
And how about standing at atten-
tion?"
"What?" in a surprised tone.
He was shown the text of the order.
His face betrayed his puzzlement.
WELL" he said, you'll have to see
Mr.. Birgfeld."
And it must be said of the guards
that they displayed an alertness, DO
liteness, readiness to help, and quick
g,.f& xryt1y y,
hardly could have come to them over
night as a result of the order. but which
must have been of long-standing III
the force
In Justice to MIR. Birgfeld and to
Acting Secretary Morgenthau, it looks
as if the furry over the new order was
Just tempest in teapot.