Evening star., 1939-03-05
Age Of Little Writes
Finis 10 White House
Penmanship Of Expert
Time Extension Ended,
Social Stuff Member
To Retire at II
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG.

Harry H. Little, one of the expert
penmen on the social staff of the
White House, will go on the retired
list early next month after being
in the service of the Federal Gov
ernment for so years.
Mr.. Little, who is now II, was
scheduled to retire year ago, but
at the last moment President RooSe-
velt made one of the surprise moves
for which he is noted, and issued an
executive order extending Mr.. Lit
ties service for another year.
Expert penmen, those rare indi-
viduals who have mastered the art
of beautiful handwriting are hard
to find The White House always is
in need of these penmen, particu-
larly during the social season. The
President had this in mind when
he ordered the extension in Mr..
Little's case. The latter has been a
White House penmen 18 years. and
Is highly valued by Mr.. Roosevelt.
Borrowed From I. c. C.
Although Mr. Little spends three
or four months each year at the
White House writing in names on
invitations to White House func-
tions. and addressing envelopes, he
is actually on the clerical roll of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The White House merely borrows
him for temporary periods. He has
been employed by the I. c. c. for
33 years.
A year ago, when he became 10
and thereby reached the statutory
age for retirement, his old associates
at the I. c. G. purchased a retire
ment present-a gold watch, affec-
tionately inscribed, and gold chain
to go with it. Just before presen-
tation the Presidents extension Or
Ger arrived, but the presentation
was made anyway
Mr. Little is now taking the re-
mainder of his annual leave which
will carry him right up to the time
his retirement goes into effect.
He tells associates he has no par
ticular plans to follow in his retire.
ment but declares he will not move
to California or Florida. He owns a
home at 81 Bryant street NV, and
he prefers to enjoy days of idleness
right here. He has an idea his little
garden will keep him busy during
the spring and summer.
Born in Baltimore, Mr. Little en-
tered the Government service in
1889, being appointed to the Indian
Bureau and assigned first as chief
clerk at the agency for the Kiowa
and Commanche Indians, Anadarko,
Okla, then Indian territory.
Saw Indians on Rampage.
The red man was not so tame and
peaceful in those days and Mr.. Little
witnessed some hair raising Incl
dents, as we'll as several Indian up
risings. He also enjoyed the thrills
associated with the opening of
homestead lands in that great do
main. Following the land opening
in 1892 he was appointed chairman
of the Board of Commissioners for
his section. This board had much to
do with establishing law and order
and good government in the frontier
country. ..--- ..-.. -- ...4.--,
Mr.. Little met many picturesque
characters during those stirring
days, as well as some who became
famous figures later on. Among
them was the late Gen. Hugh Scott,
whom he met as lieutenant of
cavalry and who later became chief
of staff of the United States Army.
After few years in the Indian
territory Mr.. Little married Fanny
Dell Craggs, daughter of the lead
ing Indian trader of that section.
Later he took civil service exam
ination and in 1906 was appointed to
a clerkship in the Interstate Com
merce Commission.