No More Pests

High were the hopes of a little group of men who last week journeyed to Washington, politely presented themselves at the White House office, asked for five minutes of President Hoover's time. Secretary George Akerson eyed them sharply, asked who they were, what they wanted. They explained: they represented a national association opposed to blue laws. Leading them was Spencer M. de Golier, thrice Mayor of Bradford, Pa., Vice President of N. A. O. B. L. They had read about how a delegation of the Lord's Day Alliance had called last month upon President Hoover to urge him to support blue law legislation for Washington (TIME, July 22). Now in protest came they of the N. A. O. B. L. to pray the President to refuse such support.

Secretary Akerson told them to return next day. They did, to find no appointment with the President ready for them. The third day was like the second, the fourth like the third. Plainly President Hoover would not see them. In high dudgeon they left Washington. Mayor de Golier exclaimed: "I am deeply disappointed. . . . Discrimination!"

The White House explained: The President is pestered by propagandists. They prey on his time, impede The Big Things. The Lord's Day Alliance delegates gained entrance to him by misrepresentation. Their declared purpose was to "pay respects" but once inside they had turned crusaders, made speeches. A new policy now bars all such pesterers (TIME, Aug. 12). The N. A. O. B. L. delegation was simply unfortunate in being the first to feel its effect.

"Bunk!" cried Dr. Joseph A. Themper, Board Chairman of N. A. O. B. L. "If there'd been any deep-seated desire to receive those opposed to Sunday blue laws, it would not have been impossible to arrange a meeting witl the nation's executive."

Mr. de Golier made loud noises about how he, thrice Mayor of Bradford. Pa., had "helped elect Herbert Hoover" and now look what he got!

P: The Elimination of Pests in favor of Big Things led citizens to review the record of President Hoover's first five months.

Things done: 1) Abolition of the "Official spokesman;" 2) withdrawal of U. S. oil lands for conservation; 3) publicity for income tax refunds; 4) a federal farm law and board.

Things started: 1) study of law enforcement; 2) oil conservation by states; 3) a reorganized G. O. P., South; 4) naval limitation; 5) curtailment of military costs; 6) elimination of Postal deficits; 7) a conference on child welfare; 8) improvement of U. S. prisons; 9) tariff revision; 10) study of possible tax reduction.

Praise from the arch-Democratic New York World: "Washington is a centre of news . . . because a quick-witted and aggressive executive is plainly on the job."

P: Last week President Hoover was 55. He celebrated his birthday privately at his Shenandoah National Park camp. Prime guests: Charles Augustus Lindbergh et ux. The President was "surprised" by a cake, candles, inexpensive presents. Pastimes: pitching horseshoes, dam-building, reading Sunday newspapers carried by air from Washington. Prime horseshoer: Charles Augustus Lindbergh.

P: Slightly annoyed by veiled criticism, President Hoover last week announced his intention of donating his camp in Virginia to the U. S. as a permanent presidential retreat. He detailed the contributions to its construction: 1) from Virginia, roads to the camp; 2) from the Marine Corps, "Labor in erecting cabins and tents, in providing water supply, cutting brush;" 3 ) from the telephone and electric light companies, "connections without charge;" 4) from local residents, "labor on fine trails;" 5) from the U. S. Army engineers, road work "as one of its summer exercises:" ]6) from himself, 164 acres of land, "the purchase of building materials, etc. . . . some labor costs."

P: President Hoover last week first exercised executive clemency. In 1927, George Herbert Thompson, Washington Blackamoor, murdered his sweetheart. Five days before he was to step into the electric chair, President Hoover commuted his sentence to life imprisonment.