Evening star., 1934-06-19
A Parallel to the
Vice Presidents Car
To The Editor Of rhs star:

10 the Editor OF The star:
The gift Of q 1880 automobile TO
Vice President Garner by the United
States Senate has caused quite little
upfayorsble comment in some quar-
ters. To my mind the criticism is IL
timed.
Who, when oil things are consid-
erred, would have the heart to begrudge
CACTUS Jack" the supreme comfort
and luxury Of such de luxe transpor-
tatlon2 Think OF the Thousands Of
miles this old campaigner must have
ridden under q broiling Texas sun in
pursuit OF the elusive votes that finally
brought him to his present high sta
tiun. And one must always bear In
mind that In those early days Of his
political career he was not riding In q
1850 car, but on o hard saddle at
tached to the smelly back OF q tricky
broncho. One can picture him mop
ping his perspiring brow and saying.
some day somebody is going to pay
for this"
Anyhow, why be surprised ut this
little act OF extravaganza on the part
Of the Senate when hundreds OF mil
lions of dollars are being tossed away
with perfect nonchalance and an airy
gesture2 The taxpayers will some day
learn that 1t Is just as sensible to ex-
pect q rabbit to guard q handful of
lettuce as it Is to expect Congress to
guard public funds.
Taking into account all his years of
simple living, 1t was at first q mystery
to me why the Vice President should
even want this costly and gorgeous
chariot. However, it really Ia no mys-
terry. 1t Is just one Of those little
quirks Of human nature for which
psychoanalyists probably have a name.
am wondering II did not see some
thing similar 10 II when ] was O boy
down on the Eastern Shore Of Mary
land. There was q desolate, snake
infested, bramble-ridden region about
five miles from my home town called
Holly Swamp. Among its quaint deni-
zens was an old woman named Sally
Collie. During the blackberry and
huckleberry season 1t was her custom
to pick this delectable fruit and tote"
1t to town in large buckets where she
peddled 1t from door to door. 1t was
also her custom to waste the proceeds
on such non-essentias as corn meal,
pork, molasses and a few pitiable
clothes for her numerous progeny.
Among her customers was an old aunt
Of mine who was very outspoken. One
day at the beginning Of the berry sea-
son my aunt said:
Sally, have never seen you with
q pair Of shoes on. Your feet and
legs are always In terrible state from
brier scratches. This year want you
to bring me part of your berry money
every time you come to town. When
Autumn comes / will turn 1t over to
you. will also make you o present
Of an equal amount. With this money
you must get some clothes for your
self"
Sally agreed and throughout the
long, hot Summer adhered faithfully
to her bargain. Fall came and with
1t Sally to my aunt's home for the
disbursement of funds. Giving the
old soul her money my aunt, with
. final admonition to be sure to get
some shoes" watched, with 9 satisfied
CLEAN In her eyes, SallyS departure
for tie stores. In about two hours
the old woman returned. She was
gloriously, exultantly happy. Sitting
down on the porch she triumphantly
unwrapped her purchases for my
aunt's inspection. She had bought a
pair Of pink satin evening slippers and
q pink silk parasol.
s. H. MUMFORD.