Evening star., 1934-05-13
BY FRANCES SHIPPEN.

+
IGHTY years ago James Abbott
l. McNeill Whistler made his
first etching in Washington
IL and was almost fired for it.
Now the stamp machines ir
the United States Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing are turning out
thousands of stamps bearing the
etched reproduction Of Whistler's
famous painting Of his mother-ar
honor seldom accorded native artist
When these stamps, purple in color
and inscribed I'm Memory and Honor
of the Mothers OF America" went on
sale May the Nation made its first
distinct contribution to Mothers day
May 13.
Also this year the world Of art is
celebrating the Tooth anniversary OF
Whistler's birth. Exhibitions of his
paintings, sketches and etchings are
being featured.
Legend in Geodetic Survey.
But there is one place, far from
being an art center of any kind, that
will show enthusiastically two Whistle,
etchings-and they far from great
and recall tales, not of Whistler, the
artist. but of Whistler, the gay anc
irresponsible boy who came to Wash.
ington when his future was uncertain
and left a brief four months later
definitely launched on a famou.
career.
That place Is the United State.
Coast and Geodetic Survey. 1t wa.
there the artist found himself. There
James Abbott Whistler is legend.
After 80 years, the Government
office still is rich in anecdotes oi
Whistler and his pranks, his gayety
his affectations Of dress and manner
and last, but by no means least, his
marvellous command Of an engraver's
needle, command he manifested
from the start.
Everybody liked him. They
couldn't help it." Charles H. Deetz
veteran photographic engineer with
the survey. turned on his high stoo
away from his charts and mstru.
ments. He had been asked about
that little-known period in Whistler's
life when he served as craftsman in
the survey-the charts and inStru-
ments could wait.
Although Jimmy Whistler's brief
stay is not within the memory of the
Oldest employe, there are some
veterans of the Office who have heard
stories from the lips of his former
associates, while the world was ring
ing with his praises. OF these
Charles Deetz is perhaps the most
enthusiastic. and. with him, Whistler
is something Of hobby.
Ousted From West Point.
"How did Jimmy Whistler happen
in Washington" Mr.. Deetz chuckled
For he, too, had asked that question
many years ago when he first begar
work at the survey. "Well, he came
here one brisk Fall morning just a!
confident as anything that Jefferson
Davis, then Secretary of War, woule
reinstate him in West Point. Yol
see, Cadet Jimmy had lost a tilt witt
military discipline. His department
had been set down In terms of de-
merits; and there was the matter o.
q difference Of opinion between Cade
Whistler and one Of his professors
Jimmy, 1t. seemed, had had the
temerity to assert that silicon wa!
gas"
THAT boy just couldn't conflnt
himself to regulations of any sort.
Mr.. Deetz warmed to his subject
why, after Secretary Davis hae
painted out that he was not destined
for a military career and had sem
him over here as an apprentice
craftsman, Jimmy began right away
to stir up mischief in his new sur
roundings. It was dtfncult to keep ur
the morale Of the ONCE with Jimm!
never on time to work and frequentl!
failing to show up at all. Ofhc'
records show that he worked six ane
one-half days In January and f1v'
and three-quarter days in February
He gave Capt. Benham. chiefs drafts
man, many a gray hair"
The photographic engineer ceaset
talking about Whistler, the man, ant
somewhat proudly began discussint
Whistler, the artist. During the few
days he worked in the Survey, how
ever, he made the first two OF hi
approximately $50 etchings-a begin
ming that stirred in him a desire II
seriously continue and perfect tina
art..''
Used Experimental Plate.
Mr.. Deetz hesitated a moment
then got down from his stool. Il hav'
reproductions of his first and secons
etchings," he said as he rummaget
through a long drawer and spreat
some charts on the bare top OF
drawing table.
There, he pointed out. was the re-
markable but little known first etch'
ing-the experimental plate with
which Whistler amused himself by
filling in empty spaces with sketches
Of his own.
The young prodigy was CONSTANT!
being reprimanded for filling empty
spaces on the plates with sketches o.
his own. Mr.. Deetz said. Capt
Benham told him time and tint