davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-10-12

War beef scandal and the covering
OF the memorable heavyweight
championship fight between Jim
Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons.
The beef trust story was the
result of some good detective work
but his story Of the fight was a
human interest classic. He had
paid Fitzsimmons $4,000 for ex-
elusive rights to every word he
uttered, but he had to live with
him day and night to do it. Mr..
Davis had never seen fight before
in his life but he predicted accu-
rately the knockout round and
punch.
Took Down Names.
As a reporter he catalogued the
names of every person he met,
jotting down names, addresses
and other information in note books.
In time he had $4,000 names listed.
Whenever a story broke on any
front, he referred to his list and
usually had good news source.
From news he turned to fiction
in 1908 and edited various maya
zines until the Sun turned him loose
to cover the world.
Mr.. Davis was born March %,
1869, in Brownsville, Nebraska. His
father was an Episcopal clergyman.
Bob's parents had gone from their
native New England to do mission
ary work among the Indians. Bob
was educated at Carson City and
moved to San Francisco, where he
got his start.
I should never have been a
writer" he once said. II should
have been a hotel proprietor. 1
like to see people eat and I like
to see them happy" Bob himself
liked to eat. He travelled all over
the South to get the lowdown on
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Thomas Lyddane, "a, Dies;
Operated Leather Shop

Thomas Lyddane, "a, who was in
the leather goods business here for
number of years, died last night
at the home of his son, Stanley
Orme Lyddane, 6232 Eastern avenue
NE.
Mr.. Lyddane was born in Rock
vile, Nd, September 10, 1848, and
came with his parents to George
town during the Civil War. His
brother, Stephen, was condemned to
death as a spy but pardoned by
President Lincoln.
Mr.. Lyddane was in the leather
goods business for 40 years, operat-
ing a store in the 1400 block of P
street NV. Besides his son, STAN
ley Orme Lyddane, he is survived
by another son, Mortimer c. Lyd-
dane. of New York City, and a
daughter, Mrs. Gertrude L. Pierce
of this city.
The Rev. Clarence w. Crawford
OF Calvary Baptist Church will Of
ficiate at services at 3 pm. tomor-
row at the Eastern avenue address.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Gene
terry.
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Arlington Mans Death
Is Listed as Suicide

DR.. w. c. Welburn, Arlington
county coroner, has issued a GER
tlhcate of suicide in the case of John
Herbert Duckworth, 81, of the 21o0
oiock OF Military road, Arlington.
whose body was found SATURDAY.
hanging IN vacant shack half a
mile above Chain Bridge on the Vir-
glnla shore of the Potomac.
Ihe body was discovered by a
group OF youths camping in the
neighborhood.
Evening star., 1942-10-12
PerciyiI|e Grant, 66, Dies;
Former Building INSPECTOR

Percivllle B. Grant, former Dis
trict building inspector, died yes
terday at his home, 649 Maine
avenue S.W.
A native of Portsmouth, Va, Mr.
Grant was resident of Washington
for 30 years and had been retired
for the last 10 years. He was a
Mason.
He is survived by two sons, Robert
r. Grant, Kensington, Md, and
Ashby Grant, Silver Spring.
Funeral services will be held at
2 pm. tomorrow at the Chambers
Funeral Home, Fourteenth and
Chaplin streets NV. Burial will be
In Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Evening star., 1942-10-12
ADVERTISEMENT.
Voice of Home
INSULATION

A coal car holds forty-five to nifty
tons of coal. And when America
saves million tons Of coal, or its oil
equivalent, in single winter, YOU
can see what vast transportation
facilities are released for War
needs. Next winter, one single
group Of American home owners
will save that much fuel the
ones who have Johns -Manville
Rock Wool Insulation. In fact,
a million ton saving is conserva-
tive because half a million homes
have Johns Manville insulation,
and savings run up to thirty per-
cent of fuel consumption. Your
government urges home insulation
||-for your comfort next winter, for
substantial cash savings, for War
efficiency. For full information on
the interesting story of rock wool
insulation, write United Clay
Products Co., Investment Bldg,
D. c., or phone DI. 0787.
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Charles Hepburn Dies;
World War Food Official
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, Oct. 12.-Charles Hep
burn, 10, OF st. Davids, Pa, chief
counsel OF the Federal Food Admin
lstratlon for Pennsylvania during
the World War and close personal
friend OF former President Hoover.
oled OF a heart attack last night in
the balcony of Loop theater.
The socially prominent attorney
was en- route to louisville. His son,
Charles, jr, IS an Army lieutenant
at Fort Knox.
Stop srousing about the things you
can't spend your money for. You
can still buy War bonds with It,
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Draths

SEMMES GRACE HARRISON. On Sat-
S e. aAhs Ia sse
Mortimer Dorsey semmes and sister Of
call at v, L. speare Co. funeral home.
ard rsn ST. ana g. penns naa ave
Tsssday m.nt October y. at IL am Inter
SMITH, .ELWLLIE. On Saturday octo-
IS iss T. wife 81 Waiter HGsn,ti smih
The late Mrs; Smith is resting at the
Notite fsfefal o9 iansas asnf sts9 s9 st. ne
husband Of Mrs. Eunice Smith He also
o Eusens s'ass and ss%as Smith
sister, Mary Smith. and stepdauRhter,
osi Friends may call after 4 pm Tuesday.
funeral ierHicsl l,i h9me; + 1879 Ss st. NV. where
i. At pm. Interment Lincoln Memorial
Cemetery. 13
SULLIVAN, ELLEN Y. On Sunday. oc,
kentucfy toner H AVE- ls4s s at hfI EN AZ
VAN beloved mother Of Daniel A. sulii-
van. Leo J. Sullivan and Mrs. Ella viii
=, Services at Chambers, funeral home,
a.. at $50 an; thence to Holy Com.
A04tCi Sdt1lO1C SAuICu, WuCIC mass Will
be celebrated at 9 am. Relatives and
friends friends invited. 1nterment Mount oliyet
TAYLOR, 1s11 r BE- nEc!SA. j On ry5sez M October
LoR., After noon Monday, October u,
friends friends ma may call at the Mcclure funeral
% Reauiem lem mass n.a 81 viii hT be celebrated at st.
Augustines Catholic Church on TUESDAY.
9S;HS3 99SSto6er Ia ls. at II am. Interment Mount
TAyTOR prcrEa oa.
bers Of Willing Helpers Association are
sister to REas sfss IA aYo leara on Of rus
-JTosEPH1NE BgTLER; President
BEATRICE R. RICHARDSON. Rec. Sec.
ser hGMA 1s4 Al TIES s ON sund1y at Vst.2sn
Hospital Roanoke, Va. WALTER THOMAS,
son OF the late Perry and Jane B. Thomas.
THOMAS: two nieces, and nephews.
by w. Ernest Jarvis.
TURNER, CARRIE E. Departed this
LIE Friday, October 8. 1912, at her resi-
SSHnse' SES hsics slS Sand 1t st. ne CARRIE F. TgR
katherine Holman and William Turner
1r,; one sister, four brothers and other
her late residence Monday after 4 pm
FuneraI Tuesday, October -, at l pm,
~ om beuldn bdptlSC CnurCn, 59th and DIX
SITS. ne. 1nterment Woodlawn Cemetery. =
vOGTs, APoLONIA. On Sunday, oc-
APoLoNiA voGTs BELOVED bte@if wife efSe!eat Of con
rod Vogts Of 1887 Quincy ST. ne She also
is survived. by her mother. three brothers
and two sisters.
", F. Funeral from the above residence on
Guiem mass, at st. Anthony's Church at
am. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery
Relatives and friends invited I3
VOGTS. APOLONIA. Members of the
<U$> Third Order of St. Francis
RSRESA are requested to assemble
Z@SNA at 1897 Quincy st. ne. on
5KXsa f.,KxA 1s4s. $50 % pm. for the the,
PWE4lHI1 Rosary for the repose of
<X%/ the soul of our late sister,
ROSE JUENEMANN
.WILKERsON. ERNEST. Departed this
life Sunday. october II. 1912. after a
short illness. ERNEST W1LKERsoM:, He
Wilkerson: two dauehters. Mabel Wilker-
son and Dorothy Lewis; one sister Mamie
Chase; eleven grandchildren and five great
grandchildren and a host of other relatives
and TRENDS s Remains resting at he
Notice of funeral later
WRIGHT, CHARLES CLIFFORD. On Sun
day. dsX oSte6er IL ,a19sd d94a SHAARLEs CLIF
and Paul H. Wright
Funeral from the W. W: Deal funeral
home, 4s12 Georgia ave. NV, on Tuesday;
October l3. at II am. Relatives and
pressional Cemetery
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Dr.. HirschfeIder Dies
" the Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. l2.-Dr. A..
D. Hirschfelder, professor of phar-
macology at the University Of
Mmnesota and well known for his
work In internal medicine, died 1t
his home here yesterday. 81
Evening star., 1942-10-12
QarA uf Chunks

p.ws,s Ws,skMAN, REV. DANIEL T.. ID. n. Th.
NAN. 3. 3. ios p late .;sh Rsy. DANIEL 2. WISE
SSsls sppreciation and thanks to r the msnv san-
for fs. th., churches and other orssnizat tons
ifines.n ner a Kind consideration during the
13s
Evening star., 1942-10-12

Ian 81 NV on Tuesday. October 13
sstsry; Fans Church, "a: she was mem;
St S " odsr s.n e. h Star
CARROLL, THOMAS CARROLL. On Sun
CHARLES CARROLL, husband Of Ethel
sher s0sf o Mss ahsr MsrS Of caneo ah1%a:
Mrs. Frances Demarest. Resting at his
late residence, 26O2 9th st. N. Arlington,
REQUIEM mass at a;ao M Wednesday
os1oeaf te;@eef IT, eah,s =, ST Charles Church IN
Wilson Blvd iaia Arlinston, uHfas' Va n0me' af0 IS
ss cAsE e1 Earl EARL r @ g. Tgss4E casTEr oese se
William Castle and Ms. Gertrude pii Gaaro, Mamo
,,s Services at Chambers funeral home: s17
nn ST. ss; es,s},. On Tuesday oetober ls at
1nterment in Fort Lincoln Cemetery. '''''N'
WAWsON. MARY ELIZABETH. On
Sunday October II; 1942. at her residence.
NSFh c%son GsySos sss ssoved an moH. Macy x
CHARLES and Fred clawson. Mrs. susan
n1i at efsy ehsmSers H'fdy anera home
avss iSs,;Ssa, Sa;t ia:sa En- s:$s
terry.
SShTS% SsEe6fT nh iSEnSa satsors H.
f eosn MsFssn Mrs Nj HsTnsF Eans " H FaaEs sna
It. ehsmbsT sns assss ness o Mea Sf
i III lo an sslstisss saa friends are in: in:
oesoSsT ie' is4s, JOHN r. on coRR1aaN ssfataaSi
81 e sser Jane eT 6Syed d RSHh vss
Order,
sogsSvisssssS Ss rs s H Hines Co. a funeral
1ioysius church. North Capitol and I | s5s: IS:
am fntermens S Mount unit oivef 81 pessa Cemetery aa
CosDoN. ALFRED CoMEGYs On Sun
Rsp Gfisef5 doMEY s4y coybdN beovfd p
81 sld 15s1 fs,iy n !; Edssyooa Ny. St A5lpstqn Va
3: cosdon He also IS" IS survived ed by two two
SISTERS; s,1 Mr. Mrs Dorsey Cooke and Mrs; Harry
hsms: ss. %s4! wilson Blvd. Arlinston; va. "a.
Tnssday TThess tunera nata,. services will be held on
ments Columbia Gardens Cemetery.
cosDoN, ALfRED C. special com
A
" shipful Alfred plesTs't c. ts5sE cosDoM' Mot
A. D. ABBOTT, Master.
sEKTA crown, wife Of q the late John
Services at St. Matthews Episcopal
ossossr 49, at gao pm. Interment church
EpMoNps, NELSON G. On Saturday,
PsGssr w. n. nss NEN e 81 resdsnss g. fs
5snas 6sS ssTf WSSE Hsyn ES%sns Ed6
Clara Eoxlkss: a brother; James Edmonds;
and other relatives and many friends;
kans,v hons; 1890 o.,ob.r eth st. NV" after pm
ebovs-named funeral home on Tuesday.
invited. Interment Harmony Cemetery.
EPPs, CAPT. SYLVESTER. All mem
bers Of vistoTy Lodge; Ne p A SAM A M;
noon tuesday, October ia, 1e4s, to pre-
CART fs5 Rf tpRsFi hpPs as o15 be hed 10he At
pm. from the New Bethel Baptist Church.
9th and s scHaRnEs its n;S; F. CARTER, W. NJ.
GUS N. BULL. Secretary
EPPS, CAPT. SYLVESTER HUYLER.
Comrades of the Department of
the Potomac, United Spanish
~ War Veterans, are informed Of
o9f the death Of Past Department
Commander Capt. SYLVESTER
HUYLER EPPS All comrades
in this city are requested to at
tend The funeral Tuesday. October -,
9th and s sts. NV. at pm. Burial Ar
NnEton National Cemetery.
WIN. W. WAsHTNGToN, DEBT. Adjt.
EPFs. CAPT. SYLVESTER H. Com
rades Of Rear Admiral Charles
p M. Thomas Camp. United
U(zs$ Spanish War Veterans, are in
formed Of the death OF Capt.
SYLVESTER H. EPPS, past de-
partment commander. on Octo-
Der Q. 1912. Funeral Tuesday.
October 13, from New Bethel Baptist
Ghureh' eth stnn and ftS NJ at pm.
o. o. BURROUGHS, Commander.
WIN: W. WASHINGTON. Adit
Evening star., 1942-10-12
Bratha

nAPTlsTA, LYDIA NJ IN s.+,rd.,
stss0Gsr sts e. e. L. 1e12 I9S1s It her rsslssnee sis
1ts n OF tSAhsTIssA AZ sts r1.ss nss
ruesssSa uSsnsral from the abov. residence on
National Cemetery. 'e'mehs Arlington
s.tu1ssHHf .tasHf' LtoTTE; Departed this life
HERRsx Esss HS1th sSs i.sSs. Gsson1 u ave-
lam ssS SsSrs; osS9sed sSqs family, one son. vii
eunf y.nsests asrtluds aaeqznssss cs.en Mrs ss sns
Rev. Esnf ESsssis Yaasa YMastheES three sons:inisw
NE Charles MattheWs;' 'Vnn one d.nrfnrn Gsssn and
drenn. dn ms; fHsn,!Msry Mary Berry: nine .srandchii-
Hersr GsnsT relatives & and friends The late ten Mrs
1 pm VII Tu.ss.x ssSt at her late residence after
Funeral Wednesday. october 14A At
chmrcbI chm bIfom Browns Memorial A. M. E.
Gray ofeiasnssn snd a.ermena 1ra nf p.yn.; Rsy I'm N
60 ssterA' 4 81 Services by stewarts funeral home,
:. e. ".e. 13
Be! iels lRssfTHA sEk4HA 9a Mpns.y DAY: g 9ss
Ssrt Paah snd al1.ra NM %0fas5 asa Il sathsn hss
.,iIiiss Friend. are invited to call at eawler's
ni n 1e held on Wednesday, October il, at
CONVERSATION Cemetery Is
H1an1aL,; 1a1a suddenly. on Friday. October $,
LEN is4H nnnn af 5:30 pm. MARGARET HEN
Funeral Tuesday, October i3 from 5000
EAST Lanvale ST.. Baltimore. Nd. is
ntGRRELL, FERDINAND J. On Sunday.
2s9Hs4d st st. 1a42 nG + 5 1890
BEL. beloved husband dne Of SUE BoSr.li ri Hon ana
hoSs So, At sSs fS5ss Hiass 81
Shrine Of the. Sacred Heart. where mass
hnston National Cemetery. Is
BROWN; BENJAMIN l. On Monday,
SSsp6s. SSSsS6sr r. l942, BENJAMIN i. Brown.
BENJAMIN v. and Joyce C. Brown. Also
Caldwell Of Elkton. Md: Mrs. Gertude
Mass HM9nss ana tna Ms Louise Oliver Of Boston,
3riepI., 3hfiewn, and other other relatives and
Notice Of funeral later. Arranrements
ossossE IT, 11 1ss$ sAMSE1 VI e. puENs paufEsNssasi gi
Burns and brother Of Mrs Frances
TW1aIk' Wi.l Mrs. ,sIla MIshala Warren. Mrs. Blame
Wednesday October Il, friends tn may i'cail cali
At his late residence
Funeral from shilo Baptist Church. 9th
ana sts; nv: on THURSDAY, October Is:
ments sHf By MeGUlrsi MeGurs Cemetery Arranse-
BYRNE, ADA VIRGINIA. On Sunday,
\ = October II, 1912, at her resi-,
q 81: ;;; g: 81
v Mamie Mamie T. Mack and The late
Evening star., 1942-10-12

<-6TTT cENETERY LOT m WOODLAND
03a 1888.
Evening star., 1942-10-12

NICHE; ANNIE BEATRICE MATILDA
On Saturday. october 10, 1912. at the
ho1. bone ofol Of her daughter; Mrs; Walter W
T1LDA NICHE, wife OF George G. g. Niche.
s Grace s ner
Woodside, Md. on Wednesday, October "a,
at s:30 pm. Interment church GEM
MIDDLETON, GEORGE LOWELL, JR.
at Franklin Manor. Md, GEORGE LOWELL
M1pDLEToN, Jr.: beloved son Of Georse
Donald Ray Middleton. H'''e' "a 'S"''' "N0
homer Remains ans ssstIng tins a. funeral
Va. where funeral services will be held on
terment oakwood Cemetery. Falls Church,
MILES, NAOMI E. NJ On Monday, oc-
beloved wife Of Wilbur n. Miles: - ,
Der Is, at 1880 am. Relatives and
friends invited. Interment Cedar Hill
October 10: 194a at sibiey Hospital. M il.'Sds. VII.
LIAM MONTAGUE, beloved husband Of
Fun Funeral NaH'Is from his late residence, ess
at $50 am. Mass at the church Of the
Nativity at Q am. Relatives and friends
nI.s.rt invited to ndr, attend Mterment St. PsgTs
eternal rest on Friday, october 8, 1942,
at his residence, 115 st: Sc. JOHN
HENRY MYERS, the devoted husband Of
Mary Boiling Myers and brother of Mrs.
Anna Moses Smith Of Florence. 8. c.: Mrs
Fannie Gregg and Mrs Henrietta Myers
Of Savannah. Ca; Solomon Thomas Of
Coward. s. C. Also survived BY devoted
mother-in-law. other relatives and friends.
Remains may be viewed at the John T.
Rhines & Co. funeral home. ard and Eye
sts. s.w, on Monday. october II. after
IL noon,
Interment Florence. s. c.
PETERSON, HAROLD. On Saturday,
the aa5ss belosed hhGsRsn hasssnd
Of Mary Peterson. He also is survived by
three sisters, Mildred Knieht. Harriette and
Peterson: other relatives and friends. Re-
main resting with L. e. Murray q Son,
18th and v stS. NV.
Funeral notice later.
PHILLIPS, HARRY Z. Members Of Good.
will Council, No. Is, D. of A., are noti-
ned of the death OF Brother HARRY I.
PHILLIPS of 200 Horton ave, Wilkes
MRS. RUTH =. CARAVAN. Secretary.
Evening star., 1942-04-17
'W.P. B. Urges Vacations
Without Loss Of OUTPUT

By tLs Associated Press.
War Production Chief Donald
Nelson declared yesterday that the
Government ofiicially favored vaca-
tions for war workers, but that in
dustry must show its ingenuity in
securing the vacation benefits with
out paying a counterbalancing cost
In productive hours lost"
Responding to numerous inquiries
from labor and industry, Mr.. Nelson
said the War Production Board be-
lieyed that some rest period" after
the extensive overtime and added
emotional strain of the war effort
would prove doubly effective in re-
storing workers energies.
Evening star., 1942-04-17
Byrd Charges Misuse
OF Frank by Bowling
Co.ordinator' S Office
Says Circular Sent Out
To Promote Sport; Asks
Walker to Prosecute

Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of vir-
gfnia told the Senate yesterday he
had asked Postmaster General WAL
ker to prosecute "those who are
guilty" of misusing the free mail
ing privilege In distributing material
from the bowling co-ordinator's
ONCE IN the Physical Fitness Di-
vision.
He said Jack M. Willem. bowling
eo-ordinator. had been using the
franking privilege for the purpose
OF creating throughout the country
sentiment to have bowling estab-
lished rs = vital defense project
and thereby exclude bowling equip
nent from priority orders
Senator Byrd placed in the Con-
gressional Record q letter to him
from the Postmaster General which
agreed that the circular involved
did not, as required by postal law,
relate exclusively to the business Of
the Government"
According to Senator Byrd, the
circular letter was printed on sta
tionery Of Mr.. Willem as national
bowling co-ordinator, Division of
Physical Fitness, ONCE of Civilian
Defense. and was signed by E. H.
Baumgarten, secretary Of the Amer
lean Bowling Congress and co-ordi-
nator Of mems bowling activity, Of
dce of Civilian Defense.
The Physical Fitness Division now
Evening star., 1942-04-17
District Asks Public
To Provide Tanks for
Raid Alarm Horns
Inability to Obtoin
Priority Rotine Prompts
PIeo for Equipment

Having failed so far to get nee
essary priority ratings from Federal
authorities for necessary compressor
tanks for steam and air horns,
which ultimately will constitute the
Districts major afraid signalling
devices, ofiicials OF the District En-
gineer Department yesterday ap-
pealed to the public to provide the
apparatus.
The District needs % tanks or
reservoirs" 16 by 48 inches, of 1885,
pound pressure, and Is tanks. 36 by
108 inches, of 155-pound pressure,
and Is air-compressor outfits, ac-
cording to Porter M. Lumpkins,
chief clerk of the Engineer Depart
Evening star., 1942-04-17

ment. He has details on the specific
requirements.
The District now has In service 80
electrical sirens As air-raid warning
devices, but since these have been
found inadequate to wake up the
town. the District has ordered "a
air horns and 20 steam horns to
serve as the major system. Only q
few of these so far have been de-
livered, and the District must as
sumo the job Of finding the neces-
sary tanks and compressors.
Evening star., 1942-04-17

has been transferred from the o. G.
d. to the Federal Security Agency,
which announced Wednesday that
all sports co-ordinators, including
the one for bowling, have severed
their connection with the Govern
ment. They are now working as pri-
vate individuals. it was explained.
Yesterday Senator Byrd repeated
his belief that Mr.. Willem is an ad-
vertiser connected with manufac-
ture of bowling equipment and his
use of the free mail might be "of
direct financial benefit" to him.
Evening star., 1942-04-17
Cubons Ask MoIasses Quote

Declaring they are without work.
1000 laborers in Cuba's alcohol in
duStry have demanded that the gov
ernment fix quota OF 25,000, 900
gallons Of molasses to cover the
needs of the industry.
Evening star., 1942-06-19

make q distinct and profitable con-
tribution in joint activity to in
crease production"
Is this a veiled hint to Mr.. Mel
son that he isn't bowling sufficiently
to the CIO and the AFL? The
leader of one of the biggest of the
CIO unions boasted that he and his
auto workers union had managed
to drive Mr.. Knudsen out of the
once of Production Management.
Are the labor politicians now gun
ming for Mr.. Nelson, too?
1t certainly is strange that, de-
spite all this sniping at industrial
executives and the petty politics
of selfish groups, America Is nev-
ertheless accomplishing wonders on
the production front-and much of
it is due to the foundations laid by
William S. Knudsen and the dol
lar-a-year men he selected.
Reproduction Rights Reservedo
Evening star., 1942-06-19

British general stan shares this
opinion, and while 1t will make
every possible effort to hold Its
vital position in Libya, its main
attention has been, and will con-
tinue to be, directed toward per-
fecttng its defensive positions
around the oil fields.
The British now have had more
than . year to complete their
preparations in that future bat
tie zone. The reverses In the
Pacific and Indian Oceans have
not had great effect on their war
plans. As long Is they can pre-
vent the Germans from reaching
their principal goal-1raq-what-
ever reverses they have in Libya
will be Of only relative i'm
portance.
Evening star., 1942-06-19

voice OF experience is exceedingly
costly.
Nevertheless, better late than
not at all. And the President Is to
be commended for three things
flrst. for adopting the single head
system for war publicity; second. for
picking an able and qualified man
as director; third, for giving him the
authority needed to do the job,
which, incidentally, was what he did
not give the gifted Mr.. Archibald
MacLeish. One Of the chief things
that made it impossible for that gen.
tleman to be effective was his inabil-
ity to control. reduce or direct the
vast number of publicity agents with
whom the Government departments
are thickly cluttered.
Apparently, Mr.. Davis will have
the power to do those things. 1t is
to be hoped that he uses 1t to shrink
this terribly expensive and largely
unnecessary payroll army, upon
which rests responsibility for no In
considerable part Of the confusion
Of the Washington scene. Certainly.
no man with Mr.. Davis extraordi-
nary ability to condense information
is likely to be happy directing de-
partment in which 5000 unco-
ordinated publicity agents are daily
producing an untidy mass Of over
lappinsu. duplicating and largely
futile releases, many Of which bor-
der on the silly.
Artist at Condensation.
As a radio commentator Mr.. Davis
made . fine reputation for the COM
pactness Of his nightly report on the
state Of the world. Never using an
unnecessary word, he put into i've
minutes what many others are un-
able to do in IS. It Is dimcult to
imagine q man with 4 talent such
as that doing nothing about 5000
subordinates for whom he Is per-
sonaliy responsible and whose pro-
duction Of unnecessary words Is be-
yond all reason. 1t can be assumed
that Mr.. Davis will want to curtail
the output and reduce the size of
the publicity army of which he Is
now commander in chief. -
But it would be a mistake to think
that 1t can be done without strug-
gle. These publicity boys are deeply
intrenched. Many of them have
political friends. The heads Of the
agencies will fight for them and
they know how to fight for them
selves. They have baf1led more than
one reduction effort. However, If
Mr.. Davis is going to direct his job
successfully, he will have to move
firmly against them. Otherwise, he
certainly will find his own compe-
tency diminished.
He should not be put OF by being
told, as he will be told, that the
number of these publicity agents is
not important, that many of them
are indispensable, that the COM
plants about them are not well
founded, that he has more impor-
tant things to do and had better let
them alone. None of those state
ments Is true, but they can be made
to seen plausible by those accum-
toned to purvey them.