Evening star., 1936-07-19
BY ROBERT CRAWFORD.

"\dEtE B SOHlctiAiS 4uA"S -"
thetic about moving day even
under the most favorable cir
L cumstances. To see ones be-
loved lares and penates exposed to
the cold scrutiny Of q cruel world Is
deplorable, and when there Is so
much doubt about the final outcome
of the change of residence 1t Is still
more distressing. The National CAM
paign Committees of the two great
political parties have flown with bag
and baggage, files, campaign htera-
ture, brain trusters and what not to
New York and Chicago to set up
headquarters. They have left just
enough Office personnel behind to
remind one Of the hectic days before
the national conventions.
Strolling into the former headquar-
ters of the Republican Committee one
misses the former chairman, Mr..
Henry Prather Fletcher, whose door
If not always wide open was at least
ajar for those seeking information.
He combined the qualities of soldier,
diplomat and astute politician In an
unusual degree Mrs. Hoyal, head Of
the Woman'S division, has gone West,
and Lola Williams, for many years
privte secretary to the late Vice Presi-
dent, Mr.. Charles Curtis, Is out in
Chicago to give the glad hand to old
friends. Mr.. Curtis was heard to
say on one occasion that Miss VIII
liams never forgot q face or name
and that she was walking encyclo-
pedia when it came to congressional
action on any question.
It's Lonesome Around the
r. o. Department.
There is an awfully lonesome look
down around the Post Office Depart
ment. The magnificent walnut cor
ridor, which is like a great baronial
hall in a medieval castle, had a
deserted look when visited q few days
ago. Instead of the milling crowd
formerly seen there waiting for an
interview with the Postmaster Cen
eral there were two linen-clad men
and lone woman, who resembled the
last Americans. But after all there
was a restful feeling about the beau
tiful hall, on whose polished panels
the July sun, peeping through the
sea green venetian blinds, reflected
scft lights and shadows. making a
Childe Hassam picture of the pale
blond head and face of the young
receptionist at whose desk mere man
fingers when he has to get some in
formation.
Chairman Farley may have been
packing UP his chattels to go to New
York, after August !, for few months,
as he was not in his Office. but he is
surely coming back, for there, on q
small table near his desk, was pic
ture of his two pretty daughters, Betty
and Ann. and on large libary table
at the other end of the room was a
photograph Of himself as a young man
dressed in a workman's blouse and
showing a magnificent head Of hair
by the way, the luxuriant hirsute
adornment is the raison d'etre for the
conspicuous position in which the
photograph is placed. If the Post
master General had one personal van
ity it was his hair. and to have lost
it before reaching even the prime of
life was a great sorrow to him. His
friends twitted him good deal about
his bald head. so he brought forth the
picture as evidence.
Anne Parks Marshall-of Arkansas
and Washington-said she believed
this boyish-looking picture of the
P. G. was the mascot to which those
seeking favors should turn; for If,
on entering the Office, the face was
turned squarely toward the door you
might know there would be favor
able audience: then. if Mr.. Farley in
vited you to be seated, you would know
there would be something doing. His
frank manner was more that Of q
sportsman than . politician.
BENJAMIN Franklin One of
Mr.. Fariey's Heroes.
One of Mr. Farley's heroes is Ben
tamin Franklin, his predecessor in Of
flee some years past. Mr.. Franklin
was appointed Postmaster General by
the Continental Congress on July rs,
l775-just 161 years ago next Sunday.
A portrait Of the printer, scientist.
philosopher and diplomat, and the
first Postmaster General. hangs over
the mantel back Of Mr.. Farley's desk
It Is Q three-quarter seated portrait
and may be copy Of the portrait of
Mr.. Franklin. painted in 1762 by
Mason Chamberlain. It shows Frank
lin with an elaborately curled peruke
of the period: It could not have been
a.. copy Of the Duplessis portrait,
which, II correctly remembered, shows
Franklin without wig.
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It makes one feel kind O. queer to