Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-04-01
BY MILTON BRONNER.

BY MILTON BRONNER.
..n LONDON, March 81, 1884.
EOPLE who use that old expression,
"happy as king" to describe state
of extreme bliss, don't really know what
they are talking about.
They don't, that is, II the recent ex-
periences of King George of England
are anything to 60 by.
George has been pretty fortunate In lots
of ways. He brought his country through the
greatest war it ever got into, and he stuck TO
his throne at time when the crowns Of his
brother monarchs throughout Europe were rat
Ting on the floor like hail on a tin roof. HIS
personal popularity among his subjects Is re-
markably high
Nevertheless, he has had his troubles-plenty
Of them.
Within the last few months, for example.
he has had to fight off the attempts OF
notoriety- seeking extortionist to wiring money
out Of his purse, with a good deal of unpleas-
ant publicity, and he has been the center OF
an almost unprecedented attack in the House
of Lords
The latter affair, sensational though it was,
at least soon over. 1t happened last No
vember at the opening of Parliament.
In accordance with the ceremoniouS custom,
the King and Queen had been escorted to the
House of Lords, where members Of both Houses
of Parliament had assembled to hear the speech
from the throne. The King delivered the
speech, and concluded in the usual phrase
"and I pray the blessings. of Almighty God
may rest upon your deliberations"
Then, while the amazed statesmen looked
On in shocked silence, up rose fiery John Nc
Govern. Glasgow member Of the Independent
Labor party to shout out angrily:
What about the abolition Of the means
test and unemployment relief cutS?"
The means test, it should be explained, was
newly adopted regulation by which applicants
for England's famous dole were rigidly exam
ined as to their private means, II any. before
their names were put on the rolls 1t was
sore spot with the British proletariat.
Then, before any one could make any reply.
AeGovern continued:
you're a gang of lazy and idle parasites,
living on wealth created by other people. You
bught to be ashamed of yourselves, while people
kye starving outside"
1nsG GEORGE paid no attention to the
n outburst, and. with Queen Mary. left the
Building as If nothing had happened. Started
parliamentarians. however. remarked that 1t
has necessary to 60 back nearly 600 years In
English history, to the reign OF Edward ILL.,
70 find parallel to the incident.
Late in the fourteenth century members OF
The House Of Commons heatedly begged King
Edward III to put into effect . regulation to
raise the wages Of British laborers. Angered
BY their outburst, which took somewhat the
form Of that which McGovern made. Edward
told them to appoint one Of their number TO
bring forward their petition in an orderly man
ner. They did 50. their representative called
ut the palace-and got sent to the Tower OF
London for his pains, while the laborers wage
rates remained the same.
The unpleasantness Of the McGovern Incl
Bent is more or less q symbol Of the tribula-
tons that fall to the lot Of the British King
these days.
Early in 1894 King George was compelled
b cone with q case Of attempted extortion.
Clarence Guy Haddon, a consulting engineer
was accused Of uttering letters demanding
money from the King. Haddon asserted that
he was the Legitimate son Of the late Duke
of Clarence, the Kings elder brother, and
rHzata many letters to the King. threatening