Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1925, Page 69

Local History Told in Advertising THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, Of Days When The Star Was Young The Rambler Finds Interesting Stqries of Washington Life in the Announcements Made by Business Houses of Seventy Years Ago. ] HE Rambler read many old copies of The Star to get the facts he gave you in the stories of the business houses of Metzerott, Droop, Topham, Xneesi, Lansburgh and Heiberger, and be laid aside memoranda of advertisers, advertisements and such which might serve for other stories With this material before him and with weather not comfortable for walking, he believes by handing it to you he will give vou entertain- ment without doing much work. Tn the fileroom of The Evening Star are bound Stars of all the issues back to 1833; in a vault are older Star files, and In the library of The Star is a glazed photographic copy of the firt issue of The Star, December 16, 1852—golng on 73 years. Taking the relic from the wall, but not removing it from its glass jacket, the Rambler copied what follows tromathe first of the four small pages: “Prospectus of the Daily Evening Star: The undersigned proposes to publish, sufficient num- ber of 1 have been obtained to justify the undertaking, @ daily afternoon paper to be called “The Daily Evening Star.’ The Star is designed to supply a desideratum which has long existed at the metropolis of the Nation. Free from party trammels and sectarian influences, will preserve a strict utrality, and whilst maintaining a fearless spirit of independence will be devoted. in an especial manner, to the local interests of the beautiful city which bears the honored name of Washington and to the welfare and happiness of the large and growing population within its borders. To develop the resources of the metro- polis—to increase and facllitate its mercantile operations—to foster and encourage its industrial pursults—to <timulate its business and trade accelerate its progress in that branch 1o power and greatness—these shall be the main objects of the paper The Star will also beam forth in- telligence from all sections of the country by telegraph and mail and give it in a form so condensed as to ren- der it unnecessary to sift a bushel of chaff before finding a grain of wheat. The articles, editorial and selected, will be brief, varied and sprightly. Nothing shall be admit- ted into its columns offensive to any gious or political party nothing in a moral point of view to Which even the most fastidious might object. It is the determination of the publisher to make it a paper which will be a welcome visitor to every family and one which may be perused not ouly with pleasure, but with profit. The editorial department will be under the direction of a gentleman of ability and tact.” (Signed) Joseph B. Tate. 7 The Rambler will not now write the history of Joseph Tate. The editorial in the first issue of The Star is head- ed “Salutatory " and the first para- graph follows: “Today the ‘Daily Eve- ning Star' appears on the horizon of the newspaper world and greets with warm and kindly beam a metropoli- tan public. Whether it shall be a fixed or a wandering ‘Star’ depends upon the patronage which it will a tract. Though the ‘Sun’ of a neigh- loring city blazes in the same firma- ment, our little ‘Star’ will not pale even in its luminous presence if it be ncouraged to shine”” That is the first paragraph, and therc are four others, each of nearly the same length. There are several short “ed: orial paragraphs,” one of which is: Pennsylvania avenue vesterday aft- ernoon was full of living ornaments in the lady line. All the belles were out.” subs ruu; B} e i it * ok K % THE advertisements in the first Star were of the Mechanic: Georgetown, F. W. Conch, cashier; John Mills, fashionable boot store, Brown's Hotel: A. Lammond’'s fancy and toy store, Seventh street second door bhelow E; Harris & Grifin, sell- ing Mme. Sontag button gaiters for ladies, Avenue between Ninth and Tenth, next door to W. Harper & Co.; Mrs. Choat’s Four-and-a-Half street millinery: and trimming store; Wil- liam R. Riley, blankets, Eighth street, opposite center Market; Maxwell, Sears | Av S5 & Colley. dry goods between Ninth and Tenth; Sylvester, chemist and druggist, corner Sixth and H; James C. McGuire, furniture and house furnishing goods; Noah Walker & Co.'s branch store, ready- made clothing, Brown's Marble Build- ing; Wall & Stephens, read clothing, Avenue between Tenth, first door east of Iron Hall; John B. Kibbey & Co., groceries and liquors, No opposite Center Mar- ket; Middleton & Beall, loaf and brown sugars, teas and groceries, op- posite Natignal Hotel; William Orme, erocerie: eorge and Thomas Par- ue THE FIRST STAR OFFICE. Jier & Co., groceries, opposite Brown's Hotel; Wimer's fancy and stationery store, xth one square north of the Avenue; Samuel Hamilton & Co., Wwoodware, brooms, buckets, mats. ete, Avenue opposite Jacksen Hall Joseph Hodgson, stoves and tinware, H between Sixth and Seventh; A. T'ate, headdresses. lace and fanc Avenue between Tenth and enth; Todd & Co.. furs for ladies, Brown's Marble Building; Yerby & Miller, shawls of every kind, corner of Seventh and the Avenue, in Miss Dermott’s new building; M. T. Par- ker, house and sign painter and glazier, C between Sixth and Seventh; Henry Kuhl, new restaurant, north side of Avenue between Twelfth and Thirteenth; Samuel Bacon & Co, mackerel, codfish nd groceries; M. W. Galt & Bro gn'of the Golden Kagle,” jewelers, Avenue between Ninth and Tenth; C. Gautier, restau- rant and candy tore, Avenue and Eleventh (now The Star corner); F. A. Tucker, merchant tailor, under Na- tional Hotel; George W. Cochran, to- bacco (address notSgiven), and Hall| (ad- ! & Bro., dry, goods and dress not given). Nearly advertisements wére about of a small “want ad” today. The Daily Evening Star continued in the ownership of Joseph B. Tate until June or July, 18, aboul seven months, when it was bought by W. D. Wallach and William H. Hope. The first issue of the paper under thelr manzgement was Tuesday, July 5, carpets all the these size * Bank,! flars THE STARS HOME FROM 1854 T T Nl s TO 1881, AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ELEVENTH STREET AND PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. 1853, editorial page was this: ington Newspaper. W. D. Wallach and William H. Hope, having pur- chased the Washington City ‘Evening | Star,” will assume its future publica |tion’ from the present date. While |it shall pe spirited, racy and thor- oughly informed upon all subjects of | public interest, it will be conducted | entirely independent of party consld-| erations and without fear, favor or malice; it is intended to make it a welcome visitor in the family circle and absolutely necessary to those transacting any description of busi- ness in the District of Columbia and its vicinity, as well as to those at a interested in knowing pre- what may be going on in shington or what may be contem- plated by any branch or in any de- partment or bureau of the Govern ment. Subscribers in Washington Georgetown and Alexandria will con- tinue to be served with the daily at 6 cents per week, payable week the agent.” It is also told that the Weekly Star, “a handsome double sheet, will be published at $1 per an- num,” and that the office of The Eve- ning Star “is on D street in the im- medjate vicinity of its junction with and the announcement on the “The Wash- E FROM THE STAR’S HOM 1881 horses, and “G. G.” no doubt stood | for gray gelding. “The splendid steam packet Con- gress, Capt. Volney Purcell, is mak- ing trips hetween Georgetown and Harper's Ferry,” Henry Iickhardt (Eckhardy & Bro) fs selling lce cream and confectionery at the news- stand under Gadsby's Hote orge Norbeck, Avenue between Ninth and Tenth, advertises that he has pur- chased a soda fountain, and a man advertises that he has lost a porte- monnaie which he would have re- turned to McGran's Green Tree House. Alonzo R. Fowler, Four-and- a-half between F and G, offers $5 for the return of a bay mare and colt that had strayed; W. F. Benter, Avenue and Sixth, south side, makes a speclalty of turtle stea the Is- land Friendship Club is going to give an excursion down the Potomac, July 15, 1853, on the steamboat Powhattan, and T. M. Harvey “begs the public’ to tear themselves away from sour cream and buttermilk and call at his depot opposite Brown's Hotel, where they will get cream that is cream.” 8. R. Svlvester, the druggist at Sixth and M, advertises that he has a soda fountain called “The Silver Swan,” and writes this: TO 1899, AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF ELEVENTH STREET AND PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. Twelfth street and Pennsylvania ave- nue and nearly opposite the Irving Hotel.” THE editors of the old Star had some trouble getting started.| Listen to this, printed on the editorial page with one of those old-time print- e1’'s hands pointing the reader to it: Some evil-disposed person employed himself on Saturday night in tearing down the handbills announcing the change which has just taken place in the publication of The Evening Star. We will thank any friend knowing the perpetrator of this mean |act, or its Instigators, to inform us who these persons may be so that we may show them up in their proper light.” The leading editorial told of trou- ble in getting out the paper. Here it is: “Just as we are going to press we learn that the package cantaining the new brass rules, heading, etc., for The Star, which was_deposited in Adams Express office, Baltimore, last evening, was sent to Richmond by mistake. Paper purchased in Balti- more on Friday, and sent to the rai road depot early on Saturday morn- ing, has just reached this city, re- quiring ONLY four days to come a distance of 40 miles. This beats the days of stage coaches. WONDROUS EXPEDITION! Tomorrow our paper will present a much neater typo- graphical appearance than it does to- day. Mr. R. A. Waters will accept our thanks for the loan of rules by which we are enabled to appear be- fore our readers today.” There is a paragraph on the edi- torial page which—but here it is: “The mew editors and publishers of The Evening Star return grateful ac- knowledgments for the unmistakable manifestation of popular favor with which their enterprise has already been greeted by their fellow citizens without distinction of party. They are particularly indebted to the con- ductors of the Intelligencer, Union and News for their kind greetings, and they hove to be able so to con- duct The Star as that it may realize all - the generous bredictions with which they have pbeen weicomea 1n the ranks of the journalists of Wash- ington.” In that issue of The Star are adver- sements which were also in the issue of December 16, 1852, and many that were new. Among the latter were “ads” of Dr. J. S. Rose’s great pain cure, Charter Oak Insurance Co. of Hartford, Prof. Holloway's “oint- ment for bad legs, bunions, bites of sand fles and moschetoes, coco-bay, chilblains and yaws”, Mrs. Pharnum's cough candy, & card that Henry | Polkinhorn “has removed his book and_job printing office to the ccemer of Seventh and D, opposite the Ex- |change Bank of Selden, Withus & Co.” and a notice that “at Mrs. Wimer's music and stationery store, formerly {kept by the late Mrs. Collison, on { Sixth streec near Louisiana avenue, i | addition to gems of the opera and the | latest polhas, English vermin de- | stroyer for bedbugs, ants and roache and patent liquid glue can be bought. Cyrus Martin advertises “the Co- ! lumbia House, on the Columbia road la few miles from the cities of Alex- {andria and Washington, with a first- class bar and a trotting track in rear of the premises,” and a notice that at the Columbia Trotting Track in Alexandria County there' will be “a match race for a set of harness be- * ok Ok “The ladies come up in crowds ex- elaiming, ‘'Oh! how deligktfully cool and refreshing!’ Its pure, bright and sparkling waters are reflected from their bright eyes like sunlight from a diamond!” William McL. Cripps “has 24 different kinds of cane-seat | chairs at his warerooms on Eleventh street” Lammond’s Comb and Variety Store on Seventh. second door below E, advertises “bay water and marrow pomade”; John E. Baker announces that “in connection with his general agency for claims at the corner of Seventh and Maryland avenue he has opened a periodical and statlonery store.” The Railroad Company, through A. Dodge of Georgetown, offers bricks for sale, and there is a notice that “the President's Mounted Guard will meet at the Washington Light Infantry Armory,” and that - the officers are captain; Clark Mills, Joseph Peck, first lieutenant; John Pettibone BY PRESTON WRIGHT. NE afternoon, years ago, 2 . youth of 18 sang a song all unknowing that he had an audience. However, his notes fell upon one pair of ears whose owner recognized their significance. Thus, the world's best-loved tenor, John McCormack, was “discovered.” The beauty which might have been lost to mankind had not young Mc- Cormack lifted his voice in melody that day—or if Dr. Stanley Forbes, an interne in the, Master Misericordiae Hospital at Dublin, had arrived with- in range too late to intercept and ap. preciate it—cannot be computed. Per- haps the development of a supreme talent would only have been delayed. But it might have been frustrated permanently. McCormack had just finighed his schooling at Summerhill College, in Sligo, and had come up to Dublin to take the examinations for the Royal College of Science, which, if success- ful, would place him in the higher reaches of government service. He was not thinking of a musical career. One day he dropped into the Master Misericordiae Hospital for a visit with Dr. Forbes, who had been his boyhood chum at Athlone. While the doctor was being sum- moned, he was left to walt in the room used by the nurses and internes for rest and recreation. In this room was a piano. Pres- ently, to amuse himself as he waited, voung McCormack tested its tone, and, having done this, decided to try a song. Thus it came about that Dr. Forbes, opening the door, found the chamber filled with music. the sheer beauty of which astounded him. A man of fine susceptibilities and understanding, he was entranced not alone by the voice but by the accom- paniment, emanating from the same source. tween G. G. Whalebone and G. G.| Snaffle.”” Those were the names of Not having seen McCormack In years, it was some time before the w. second lieutenant; John Baden, third lieutenant; 8. C. Busey, M. D., surgeon; George W. McLane, sccre- tary. 'R MONG the advertisements is a no- tice of change of train schedule on the Washington Brapch Railroad. That was the B. & O. from the Relay House to Washington. The announcement is that “on and after Monday the passenger train to Bal- timore will be run as follows™: “The passenger train” made four round trips every 24 hours on week days and two rousd trips on Sunday. The “ad” is signed “T. H. Parsons, agent.” Under the head Washington and Alexandria Boat,” one reads: “The fine, fast and commodious steamer Union leaves at the following hours ¢ * * Coaches for the conveyance of passengers connect with the boat at each end of the line. S. Rollins, captain.” Before you lay aside this copy of The Sunday Star, the Rambler asks you to read some of the news which he takes out of The Star of ago. To some readers, and sure men who write news for the paper now, the items from The Star of 1853 will seem old-fashioned: Here one: “Yesterday a little boy was run over by a heavy omnibus on the island and somewhat injured. We could not learn his name.” Think of a reporter coming to the office today and saying he could not learn the boy's name! The modern reporter would give that “unknow boy a name. Here is another gomery Guards passed our office yes- terday, under Capt. Key, making a brilliant display in their Fourth of July parade.” That was an old-fash- foned *“puff.” Here is another: A negro girl belonging to Mrs. Levi Pumphrey was hurt by falling dn\\n: the stairs while attending to her| usual business.” The Bthioptan Min- | strels were playing a week's engage- | ment at Odd Fellows' Hall, on Sev- enth street, and The Star's theatrical eritic of 1853 wrote: “Among them we recognized many of the most talented | | members of Kunkel's Nightingale Opera Troupe—FPenn Leigh, the emi- nent banjour; George Kunkel, esq.; H.| K. Johnson, the celebrated jig dancer: Monsteur Hooley, the wonderful con- certina and violin performer; Mosher, Adams, Paul Berget and George M. HUL it them tonight!” FTER three years of research Dr.| Charles L. Jones, fellow of the| Mellon Institute of Industrial search, has perfected a tinguishing fires with carbon dloxide in the form of snowflakes. The meth- od, it is declared, will be particularl effective with fires in inclosed spaces, Dr. Jones explained his method as| follows: “When liquefied carbon dioxide passed from cylinder pressure to at- mospheric pressure the liguld boils, | its latent heat of vaporization being supplied by the cooling of the gas and the residual liquid until the liquid is solidified to snow. The snow sure-becomes equal to atmospheri: pressure, after which further sublima- tion can take place only addition of heat from source. “When the carbon -dioxide ployed at this temperature it carrie: in suspension very finely divided car bon dioxide snow, and the flame is literally chilled out of existence.” The carbon dioxide causes no dam- age to surrounding objects as do water and chemicals. an external is em- Toll of London Fogs. CCORDING to one authority, says Popular Mechanics, a single Lon- don fog may cost more lives than a | pitched battle. The period of .the | greatest prevalence of the dense mists is in December, with the other Winter months not far behind. At this season of the year the death rate from lung diseases reaches its height. The heavy, ure-laden air aggravates such maladies, the lack of sunlight reduces physical re- sistance and illness frequently re- sults from chills caused by the damp- ness. Mental depression s consid- ered another harmful effect. e Ancient Dispens: BOUT 4800 B.C. a public dispen- sary was established in Egypt, the medical attendant for which re- ceived the equivalent of $500 a year for his services. This was at that time about five times the amount re- ceived by a skilled laborer. 2 years | v to] is | “The Mont- | Snow Extinguisher. { why give him another Re- | method of ex-| such as mines, ships and so on | is | con- | tinues to sublime until its vapor pres- | through the | D. C., FEBRUARY 8, 1925—PART 5. Th BY DUFFY GILFOND. INE pairs of suspenders are stretching themselves in the White House after exhuust- ing journeys from all parts of the country. They arrived on the heels of President Coolidge's confession to the three college boys who visited him recently that he was averse to the bell-bottomed trouser and still maintained a partiality for the good, old suspender which had lent him its support so long. Two pairs of the lot came from an em- ploye of one of the largest suspender firms in the country. They were ac- companied by the following letter: “It afforded me great pleasure to read of your sentiments on suspenders. I am employed in an establishment where there are 300 employes and where 2,000,000 pairs of suspenders were produced in the past year. Things look very promising for 1925, especlally now that we have President Coolldge to lead the band. “I am taking the liberty of mailing | you two pairs, and would feel proud to know you will wear them. One pair is of the lightest construction | made, Tt ix soft on the shoulder: |has a long, easy stretch, and is quite suitable for Sunday trousers when at- tending chureh “I beg pardon for encroaching on your valuable -time. ~Wishing you success In your most trying position.” The author of this letter is one of the thousands who annually send gifts to the President. The average person usually does not receive gifts unless he is born, married or has his tonsils removed. A President, however, can barely call that a day in which ‘at | Jeast five or six gifts have not arrived for_him. These are ordinary days. Tn the holiday season fhe gifts multiply to 30 and 40 a day. But eveh in years in which nothing more significant than a potato celebration occurs there will be some 2,500 gifts a year for the President. g'rl‘ ANGE as it may seem to average &) gift recipients, some of these pres- ents are useful. When wa buy tokens for each other, the tendency is to scorn the serviceable article, either because of the implication that the receiver lacks | this utility or the assumption that he | posses e such. In other words, if s fingers are nipped, why hurt his feelings by bestowing upon him a pair of gloves? And if he has a pair, > Hence John gets on for his pine Nez. People reason differently about a President, though. Perhaps the sym- pathize with his financial eocial oblig: tions, which they fear may encroach on his budget for necessities. At any rate, there are no scruples about supplying him with shirts, socks and foodstuffs. In fact, there are regular donors who honor the President with shirts, hose, toothbrushes and even silk hats. Edibles | comprise everything from cheese, “just fresh from the farm,” to Amy’s first at- tempt at fudge, accompanied by a letter of admiration which must have been written by her mother. fts of victuals naturally depend on the season. Thanksgiving always brings four or five turkeys, but the White House may receive quail, sausages and rabbit's feet, without occ ns. o sooner do apples, oranges and nuts make their debut at the opening of the season than the President receives a shipment. In the Spring crisp lettuce and other vege- | tables wend thefr way into the White House pantry The following is a letter which accom- panied a gift of sweet potatoes to the President 1l “1 am | a black silk ribl nding you express one | dozen North Carolina “grown sweet | potatoes as a token of my appreciation | and congratulations to you in your re- by election. Iam only a poor tenant farm- er, but in one particular I rank as high as ony one—I am an American, born | American citizen, and love the flag for which our forefathers fought and died. The principles of the great Republican | party, for which I have always stood, | are very dear to me.” Most of these letters contain an out- pouring of the writer's sincere affection for the President and the country. The only trouble about this one was—no, not the potatoes—but that the well inten- tioned sender, in the excitement of his unusnal venture. railed to pav the ex- prestage, which had to be taken from the Vresident's personal account. * ok k% ARMERS are not alone responsible for President Coolidge’s elght- pound Increase in avoirdupois. Woman cooks from all parts of the country send cans of maple sugar and sirup, cognizant of the President's weak- ness for these delicacies. A Western professor recently donated a basket of herb wine, apples and walnuts, but inexplicably accompanied his = gift with salve and liniment. “OPENING THE DOOR, HE Fglllel% THE CHAMBER FILLED WITH SIC.” interne could realize that the youth at the piano was his one-time play- mate. But when he did, and found out John’s mission in coming to Dub- lin, he protested vigorously. The examinations for the Royal College of Science might be very good, he said, but something must be done about that voice, Here he did that which has put the world eternally in-his debt. Taking charge of matters, he tele- proned Vincent O'Brien, a noted sing- ing teacher, head of the principal choir in the Catholic Cathedral and leader of musical Dublin. He insist- ed that O'Brien give his friend & hearing at his home. | | structure suffered from the disturb- oy 7 5 b A BIRTHDAY GREETING FOR THE PRESIDENT, A GIFT WITH 2,000 SIGNATURES FROM RESIDENTS OF BOSTON. (By National Photo Co.) Admittedly it is occasionally prac- tical to send medicine with food. It was superfluous in this Instance, how- ever, for each basket of food is in- vestigated before the President is| permitted to partake of it | One of the recent baskets from a little old lady (she must little and she must own a black silk sunday dress) in Arizona. The let- | ter with it is worth quoting because | its simplicity and sentiment. It] came be cookies. The receipt is 100 years old They are not pretty, but will keep in- definitely unless you and our dear President like them. Their name Is Pioneer Cooky. “In the post office they said vou would never sec them. But I pray you will, and enjoy them as much as the elderly lady that made them. I remember you and our dear Presi- dent dally in my silent hour, morning and evening. R PRESIDENT COOLIDGE'S “TEN-GALLON™ HAT, PRESENTED 'WESTERN ADMIRERS. (By was addressed to Mrs. Coolidge, and read: “Some time ago I took the liberty of writing to our aear President. My sister thought me presumptuous, but I felt especially led to do so because I am a firm believer in prayer. Dur- ing the campaign I worked hard for our President, and followed him all along with my prayers. “1 am now taking the liberty of sending you some old-fashioned John McCormack Was Discovered While Singing in a Dublin Hospital Soon the boyish vocalist was stand- ing expectantly beside the piano in the O'Brien parlor, ready for his test. When it was concluded, the teacher addressed Dr. Forbes. “What does this young fellow in- tend to do with himself?” he asked. Forbes explained. ' O’'Brien turned upon McCormack sternly. ‘Don’t be a fool,” he said. “There is a fortune in that voice, young man. Don’t dream of any career but that of a singer.” John heeded his advice. Instead of entering the examination for the Royal College of Science, he competed in the Feis Coeil (Feast of Music), which was held annually for the pur- pose of selecting the best singers in the various volices. Entrants came from alt over the British Isles, but he won first prize in the tenor class with ridiculous ease. The way to the future was cleared. Shortly he was in Italy and the best masters cultivated the voice that was destined to delight, charm and soothe untold, millions all over the globe. There is a poetic and sentimental sequel to this. story which should be immortalized. The house of Vincent O'Brien, where McCormack’s voice first tri- umphed over a critical . listener, where it first proved itself, stands at No. 37 Parnell square, which was in the heart of much of the fighting during the hostilities of 1916. The ances and friends besought O'Brien to sell it. He refused so to do. “To me it is a sacred spot,” he said. Almost as intersting is the fact that when the tenor returned to Ire- land a few years back, following his American triumphs, he was delighted to sing at a benefit for the Master Misericordiae Hospital as a tribute to his old friend, Dr. Forbe The concert netted the institution more than §10,000, AR tional Photo C “Wishing you God's very best A product of unusual shape will often be sent as a greeting to the President. Thus he is the proud pos- sessor of the three largest lemons that have ever been seen. They could easily be mistaken for pumpkins. Im- mense watermelons are frequently the contents of a package. Sometimes unheard-of fruits will arrive to tickle the President's palate. The “Coolidge Feijoa,” for example, was the newest fruit known to hor- ticulture, discovered in South America in 1890, taken to France and brought to California in 1900, “After tasting it,” “it would gratify tity to its quality Receiving gifts is, nevertheless, as all who have been married know, not entirely gratifying. One must al- ways contend with the promiscuity of "the presentations. Talking-ma- chine records will come without an instrument. A toothbrush manufac- turer may favor the President when the.tooth-paste producer has forgot- ten him. On one occasion President Coolidge was very fortunate. It was at the time of the convention of the ice- cream mapufacturers, in Cleveland, that he received a freezer of ice cream from there, and a ham, bacon, sau- sages and candied fruit from other sources, all in one day. It was re- ported he had a fine dinner. But then there are the opposing in* stances, in_which—to come back to the suspenders—he will recefve nine pairs of these without a single pair of trousers. Such are the inevitable trials of a gift reciplent, but they must continue until we reach the stage of gift regulations, a subject which cannot be discussed at present. The public recognizes these dis- crepancies in donations and makes every attempt to be helpful. Publicity about any gift s succeeded by many letters from persons who state that they would be glad to accept the ar- ticle if the President cannot use it. * k X % PBOOKS and alleged works of art arTive in the greatest numbers. 1 say alleged advisedly, because each of these portraits or sketches of the President is claimed. by its producer to be the most perfect likeness of him that has ever been made. Fortu- nately the artist .is always kind enough to state’ whom the plcture represents. The books that come range from en- cyclopedias to treaties on legumi- nous plants. Among the most recent arrivals haye been helpful discussions on the bringing up of Boston terrlers, one of which specles is supposed to be residing in the White House, but is really making his home in the-tran- quility of Vermont. Authors whose works have not been favored by the publishers invariably send a “copy of a privately printed volume for the edification of the President. Aspiring . -paets: often . send . their verses for his approval. The last ianuscript of original verses was dip- said the writer, e to have you tes- ousands Each Year Send Gifts To White House for Nation’s Head Animals of All Sorts Among the Most Troublesome for Those Whose Duty It Is to Receive and Dispose of Shipments Addressed to the President. lomatically accompanied by a no.s stating that this was the first time in the history of the writer's family— or, for that matter, in that of his wife—in which a vote had been cast for @ Republican Animals have always been a popu- lar contribution to Presidents. Back in Roosevelt'’s administration came two snarling lions, and afterward a story that the President'’s dog had been conquered in battle by the jungle beasts. Prestdent Coolidge has received an eagle, the largest that ever graced a cage. It had been shot down in Alaska and a wing broken Not o long ago two bears the South arrived at the White House. They drove up to the main entrance in great pomp—to be spe- cific, in a Ford car. Confident of hearty reception, they bristled at the sight of the uniformed men and the sight of the uniformed men and growled for the President Imagine their discomfiture and hu- millation when, instead of being escorted to the green or hlue room they were ordered to spend their siting period in the Zoo, to be stupidly stared at and commented upon by insignificant tourists! A similar fate befell a Well bred aristocratic crocodile. The reptile evidently had been brought up under the most exacting circumstances, for its sender ordercd the President to keep it in-the White House pool It would be imposing to ask onw to realize the chagrin of this sen sltive creature at heing relegated the abode of wild animals. * £ DUMI;»"TDZ\TL’N animals come al some of them, undoubtedly, console the Tresident for the that went wrong. Personally, T lieve she may have been a very spectable cat, tired of the social at the White House, and desirous of a quiet place in which to purr. There are three animals at the White House at present, the misjudg ed cat's successor, an Airedale and a white collie. But, from the letters of a few Americans, one would think the White House was the national headquarters of the Society for the Prevention of Cruclty to Animals. One New York woman recently wrote that she was sailing for Eu rope and would send her pet dog here for his training and education until she returned. Before anything could be done to discourage the sep- aration, Fido arrived, blinking from the window of most comfortab! and costly crate. Tha his guardian had chosen the wrong seminary for him was immediately obvious. For, although he seemcd contented enough at the pat of a woman's hand, he became dogged the presence of a man The woman was located by a secret service agent, who prepared her for the dog’s homecoming. and suggested a ladies’ finis] g school! for him. Most folks, however, unless they are anxious to get rid of an animal ask for an invitation for him before they send him on Elephants appear in goodly num- bers, but they are of rubber, ivory and wood. They are supposed to bring good luck to the President. So is a tiny horseshoe, the size of a finger- nail, which arrives vear from a blacksmith in West Virginia. These little non-partisan luck-carriers first made their appearance at the White House during the administration of President McKinley Many gifts are sent as luck-bearers to the President One, following the election, was a miniature presidential chalr from an 11-year-old. The author of the letter which accompanied it seems to be a real boy. He wrote “I am mailing yo a miniature presidential chair. which T made in School. T am so glad you were elected, a8 you were my choice. Most of the kids at school wore your but- ten, and if they n't 1 asked them the reason why This chair I'm send- ing you is to wish you luck from the bottom of my heart I'm for you!" * UNIQUE gift received the President was a chain cut out of Texas watermelon seed, which the sender “guaranteed mever to rust or turn brass, and which would keep us (writer and President) linked forever.” Among the other contributions are a number of “10-gallon” hats from the Southwest: documents and old commissions bearing the name Coolidge, usually persons unknown to the President. and a quantity of ginger ale. Only the other day & man left two wine cups for the President—but no explanation. Some of these presents have a string attached to them—and it isn't the string on the package, either For example, a man will send a violin along with a sob-story and ask the President to buy it—the violin, I mean. Or,‘as frequently happens laces and embroideries arrive from all sorts of refugees and ruined peo- ples in Europe, with the request that the President sell these products for them Within the from 1o cat be- re- life in every last few days a con- signment of cookies was shipped from Austria, asking the President to taste them and then lend their maker money to set up a bakery there. The President did not taste the cookies, for when a string like that comes with a parcel it is done up again and sent back. In fact, there is a regular system in connection with gifts for the Pres ldent. Years ago one man received the letters and another the parcels The method has been improved. Both gift and letter reach the man charge, who checks up with the list received from the sergeant. The let- ter and doubtful cases then g0 to the President’s personal secretary; the gifts to the steward, before whom the President appears each evening to behold them. And be the contents of a package a resounding march dedicated to hin or the poorest brand of cigars ever made, do you think he is pleased to receive them? He is. Andy Jackson’s Lock. E of the latest relics received by the Tennessee State Museum is an old-fashioned wooden lock from one of the doors of the first house occupied by Andrew Jackson when he came to Tennessee. Submarine Sirens. LECTRIC sirens for submarines have been invented by a Swedish engineer to prevent collisions of the boats and to warn other vessels to clear out of the way when the subs are about to return to the surface of the water. Light Alarm. EW thing in burglar alarms con sists of an apparatus which sensitive to any form of light. If the intruder should carry a flashlight or is lantern or switch on the light in the room where the apparatus is placed, an alarm will ring at once.