Evening star., 1935-03-10
Tales of Well-KnOwn Folk
In Literature, Art, Politics
Old City Directory Tells Strange Tales-British
Minister of Past Called Monroe in
Hearse-Queen Mary DEGREES Styles.

the hands OF Mr.. Harry HopklnS--the
administrator of Federal Emergency
relief was away out in Chicago, where
he was booked for five speeches, but
he got excited and fiew-literally--
back to the Capital. Space prevents
naming others but Representative
Hamilton Fish of New York is in a
free-for-all. To settle Squabbles the
boys at prep school used to line up
on two sides and then the cry would
ring out, Pick your man."
Senator Harold Knutson of Mime
sofa, sometimes whip of the House,
is not losing any time but picked his
man for President, and twirled the
fedora of Mr.. Fish, into the ring for
1886. What an exhilirating campaign
1t would make with the two sons of
the great Empire State, running neck
and neck. Roosevelt versus Fish.
How about it, Mr.. Mills?
Representative Mary Theresa Norton
OF New Jersey-my but she looks swell
in her new Spring togs-must be re-
sponsible for that little reduction in
water tax that gladened the hearts of
the taxpayers of the District. Mr..
Theodore Noyes and Mr.. John Joy
Edison, those valiant fighters for
taxation with representation in the
Nations Capital, must feel a bit
heartened by Mrs. Norton's kindly
efforts. She has been a good friend
to the District.
The attitude of the late Justice
Holmes toward the South was one of
understanding and appreciation of all
that the long struggle meant to the
Southern people. Mr. Silas Bent's
biography of the justice, is delightful,
Illuminating and reveals his scholarly
bent as well as his great sense of
humor-which he must have inherited
from his father. Mr. Bent quotes a
speech made by Justice Holmes on
May 80, 1884, at Keene, N. H., which
was typical of Mr.. Holmes attitude
toward the South during the War
Between the States: But We equally
believed that those who stood against
us held just as sacred convictions
that were the opposite of ours, and
we respected them as every man with
a heart must respect those who gave
all for their belief
When Justice Holmes was wounded
at Keedysville-shot through the neck
his father, DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes. went South in search of him.
After some delay his son was located
at Hagerstown, Md, where he had
gone intending to take the cars for
Philadelphia. DR.. Holmes writes:
go AS he walked languidly along
some ladies saw him acreSs the street.
and seeing. were moved to pity, and
pitying. spoke such soft words that he
was tempted to accept their invita-
ton and rest awhile beneath their
hospitable roof" Now comes one of
Dr. Holmes wonderful word pictures,
which always makes one see the thing
described:
1.-THE mansion was old, as the dwell
ings of gentlefolk should be; the ladies
were some of them young and all were
full of kindness; there were gentle
cares. and unasked luxuries, and pleas
ant talk. and music-Sprinklings from
the piano, with a sweet voice to keep
them company-and all this after the
swamps of the Chickahominy, the
mud and flies of HarriSon's Landing,
the dragging marches, the desperate
battles, the fretting wound, the jolt
ing ambulance, the log house and the
rickety milk cart!"
Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, 4th, in
jected a bit Of political sagery, or
prophecy. into his talk about Fare
well to Fifth Avenue" a. matinee at
downtown department store the
other day. He predicted a third
party which would be launched in
time for good start in the next
presidential campaign. He mentioned
few names, like Father Coughlin,
Huey Long, Senator Bilbo, Senator
Burton Wheeler, Senator La Toilette
and others, who were evidently pro-
crossing toward something in the year
of our Lord 1886. His only real pre-
dictions we're, however, anent Fifth
avenue, where his family. made its
debut into the now obsolete -four
hundred" He spoke hopefully of
affairs in general and kings, princes
and grand dukes in particular. In
fact, he told his delighted audience
that on one occasion his life was
saved by-well, maybe 1t was the
Kaiser Wilhelm.
A young woman in the book depart
ment where Mr.. Vanderbilt sat at q
long table and autographed his latest
"a new way for best sellers-reck-
oned that during 80 minutes the au-
thor autographed as many as so
copies; at $2.75 per, $137.50 in a half
hour. Not much money when one
thinks that Vanderbilt has made
millions in a shorter time.
When Mr.. Vanderbilt rose to 70 up
stairs where he was to give his talk
the audience followed and it reminded
one of the gallery following the cham
pions in golf match. But he was in
teresting and amusing-there was no
charge-and some might think that
he would be more successful on the
lecture platform than authoring. An
interested listener remarked that she