Evening star., 1935-05-19
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,

Under the New Deal and the relief
program most Of the more important
activities have hired in we'll known
newspaper men to run their editorial
and publicity Cor information) depart
ments. But there is one editor de
luxe in the Capitol who has been on
the job for 20 years. He does
unique job of editing the spoken word
of the most important Government
officials-in all activities of the Gov
ernment-explaining the needs for ap-
preparations to be made by Congress
for support of Uncle Sans extensive
workshop and his matchless army of
selected workers from every State in
the Union.
Meet James F. Scanlon-from Ken
lucky. His job is editing the hearings
on all the appropriation bills, and
the books that have passed through
his hands in manuscript form make
large library, which carries informa-
ton regarding the work of the Gov
eminent which cannot be found any
| where else.
But those who see Jim" at his desk
each day know little of the varied life
he has led and its interests. 1t has
been one generally of service and kind
ly help to his fellow man. His heart
is Of pure gold and human sympathies
and the spirit of brotherliness and
helping the lame dog over the stile.
Being a Kentuckian, he has always
loved horses. He followed" the sport
OF kings since he was a small boy
followed it through every State in the
Union, down into Mexico, up into
Canada and to the Cuban tracks. He
has occupied every position on a race
track. And he's "straight"-no man
can be squarer than Jim" Scanlon.
And he is deeply religious-not in
any -than-thou sense; not in a
proselytizing way. But he has found
help and comfort in religion and has
helped others in hour Of need to find
it, too-but not through any preach
ing-just beirg sympathetic friend.
He's always had to work for his own
living. but he has always been ready
| to share it with those in need-and
he has a legion of friends, not only
around the Capitol, but wherever he
has been.
This is the testimony Of those who
work with him.
For forms Of Government let fools
| contest;
Whate'er is best administered is best.
Thus quoting from Alexander Pope's
Essay on Man" Senator John H.
Bankhead of Alabama in a speech on
! the classified civil service listing
| 1904 persons with college degrees
who have been appointed to positions
in the Agricultural Adjustment Ad
miniStration, at salary ranging from
/ $840 to $4,000 per annum, concludes
We may have the best form of
! Government in the world and poor
personnel functioning under that
form, and we will have poor Govern
| ment; or We may have poor form
Of Government and a good personnel
functioning under such form, and We
will have good Government"
| Senator Bankhead contends that
there must be vested in the Chief
Executive ample power to protect
policy-forming positions, to the end
that the President as well as the heads
Of the several executive departments
and independent governmental estab-
lishments may have in key positions
persons who are in full accord and
sympathy with the aims, purposes and
ambitions of the administration-be
it Democratic or Republican On the
administration in power, he argues,
rests the responsibility for carrying out
its program and policies; it should not
be denied sufficient latitude to enable
it to secure both loyalty and efficiency
on the part of those who execute the
administrative program.