Evening star., 1946-04-23


as does every other American who
can read, that Mr.. Baruch has no
other Office than that provided by
the park department of the city in
which he happens to be visiting
and that he meets all callers, and
discusses all matters, within a few
yards of drinking fountains. keep
off the grass" signs and strolline
policemen.
We insist that no man, not even
man endowed with the superior
mental qualities of Mr.. Baruch, can
wholly concentrate in public park
We wouldn't have been so positive
about this yesterday, but today, yes
Because We have tried doing our
work On a bench in a park and, like
that Gromyko fellow, it's just i'm
possible. 1t can't be done, not even
our little work of writing a column
much less the work of Mr.. Baruch
which involves such tremendous
matters as reconversion, housing
feeding the world and labor dis
puteS.
Day Starts Off Nicely.
Our park experiment started off
nicely. We were up bright and early
and chose for our office" what at
that time was vacant bench, COM
fortably shaded by big tree. We
felt, as we settled down and put our
typewriter on our knees, that If Mr.
Baruch had been along he would
have chosen the same location.
We had just wrapped ourselves in
thought, and were preparing to tear
away the veil on the Iranian ques-
ton, when something hit us on top
Of the head. Then three more
things hit us on the head. Forget
ting Iran for a second, we looked up
to discover a family of squirrels
having breakfast directly above our
office" They had no table man
ners whatsoever. Mama Squirrel,
Papa Squirrel and the children all
tossed their scraps down on us.
We love natures little creatures
just as we'll as any one, but after six
well-aimed rocks hadn't budged the
squirrels, we moved to another
bench. Nov to get back to the
problem of Iran," we said to our
selves, slipping sheet Of paper in
the typewriter. Then the dogs came,
out for their morning romp, pulling
their masters and mistresses behind
them. Soon our office" was sur
rounded by two boxers, peke, a
brace Of Scotties and a chow. The
Scotties obviously had been to busi-
ness school, because they attempted
to write our column for us, using the
touch system.
Trusting Nursemaids.
1t wasn't easy to find another
bench, because the park was filling
up now, mostly with nursemaids
pushing perambulators. We settled
for a seat between a stout Swedish
in charge of a 4-year-old
boy, and a stouter Swedish nurse
maid in charge Of 5-year-old boy.
Something about our face-probably
the wild look out Of our eyes-caused
them to trust us, and they asked If
we would watch over the children
while they went for drink of water.
The 4-year-old working with the
stealth of seasoned crook, got hold
of all our copy paper and scattered
it to the winds. The 5-year old ap-
plauded this act vigorously from his
vantage point on our left instep.
Our fourth bench was not much
better. 1t was near a drinking foun-
tain and some adorable youngsters
were seeing how far they could make
the water squirt. 1t spurted just far
enough to reach us and our thoughts
about Iran.
Then pigeons began reading over
our shoulder. If there is one thing
most newspapermen can't stand, it
is to have pigeons reading what they
write as fast as they write it. Then
the roller skaters came, and after
them the weary folk who just can't
sleep unless their heads are propped
against nearby shoulders.
Finally, darkness came, and we
departed, with Iran still veiled in
secrecy.
Who does Mr.. Baruch think he is
kidding, anyway?
distributed by McNaught Syndicate, Inc.)