Evening star., 1938-09-18

1<HERE was a reason for the 20 min
utes-1 had painted poster for the
Forest Service-a warning to the
careless dropper Of burning ciga-
rette butts and leavers OF smoldering
campfires-the stupid criminals who start
forest fires that destroy thousands of
square miles of great forests every year
dumb laughing fools who ought to be de-
ported to the Arctic Circle
And, God help us, they claim to be
Americans! We don't like to think that
Americans are so moronic-but some Of
them are. I am cynically inclined to
think that not even dramatically simple
poster can influence that type. The
whipping post would be the only thing
that could penetrate their sub-human
stupidity.
Hugh Fleming. the Behemoth of the
Birches and the Beeches, has had charge
OF this poster for the Forest Service of
the Agriculture Department and, with
the self1ess enthusiasm that seems to be
characteristic of that service, left no ave-
nue. Of national propaganda uncovered. So
the most important opening trumpet blare
was, Of course, to get the Presidents ap-
proval-which he did-and the formal
acceptance by Mr.. Roosevelt was the oc-
casion of my meeting him.
Major Domo Defeated.
When was ushered into the Presidents
office, in the working wing of the White
House, Mr.. Roosevelt was personally di-
recting the proper position of the painting
to the dozen newspaper photographers as
sembled and he smiled a greeting as he
explained that he wanted them to be sure
to get my signature into the picture.
Well, now, what artist wouldn't be fat
tered is what I'm asking you!
usual Just one more. pleased" snapped
their binding bulbs.
I started to leave, but Man Mountain
Fleming-always on the job-gave me a
kidney punch and said through his teeth,
Get him to let you make sketch of him,
you sap!" So I, always meek and obligng,
went back and asked the President, who
consented at once. telling me to pull up
a chair.
asked somebody for pencil and paper,
and Mr.. Mcintyre, kindly but firmly-and
little bit outraged-told me it would
delay important people who were waiting
to see the President. (Full-time job, Nc
1ntyre'sD I smiled in sort of sickly way
and said, "Mr. Roosevelt said he wanted
me to sketch him-so what would you
suggest?" Full-time job. McIntyres) Mr..
Mcintyre took it on the chin
So I drew up chair and started. I
felt just bit cocky. The President had
told me my poster was grand and insisted
that he wanted it in the White House,
saying in fact that there are lot of
people around here who need educating!"
OF course, he grinned
told him would draw while he talked
to Senators and whatever forms of Amer
ican life he had to see-otherwise I felt
from his manner that he would have been
entirely comfortable to have let them wait!
He asked me how about the light That
was okay. I noted that he had on a
seersucker suit like mine, which amused
me, remembering the ribald comment Ir-
vim Cobb made about mine. I can't tell
you now. Some other time.
my consciousness I was aware of Senator
Reynolds Of North Carolina talking to the
President, who said at some point, with
good-natured contempt, evidently in whole
hearted agreement with the Senator, "Spin-
ach!" turning and grinning at me.
I have a vague recollection that the
Senator mentioned another Congressman
being away sick. The President grinned
knowingly and asked, Really sick or pre-
pairing to f1libuster?" again was included
in the fun.
One or two big shots who wanted some
thing (and, might add, even as you and
y had their say and was finished. The
President looked at my 15-minute sketch
and said, II like tit has a fair. I
don't know what flair is-but it has It!
The chin sticks out!"
Irresistible Charm.
We all have been accustomed to the
terrific publicity OF the President. We've
seen him over and over in the newsreels
and heard him on the radio. We may
agree or may disagree with him politically.
We read the papers. We know his smile.
We are fully aware of the sentiment for
and against him. We are fully aware of
bis stupendous significance. We think at
least there is one man whom we do know
The binding light of fame has brought
even the mole over his left eyebrow into
our observance.
Oh, yeah?
Meet him in the flesh!
There is no living man who could resist
the charm of the man.
suppose what he has makes him q
dangerous man. Any man with such