POLITICAL NOTES: Mar. 10, 1923

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General Charles G. Dawes, who in 1921 organized the first national budget, has written a book: The First Year of the Budget of the United States.

The General served as Pershing's supply officer during the war, and is now actively functioning in his accustomed job as Chairman of the Board of the Central Trust Company of Illinois.

General Dawes' book, according to those who have read advance proof sheets, is not merely a running account of estimates and figures; it contains " personalities" and tells what sort of people Washingtonians are.

Of the President, Dawes says: " His business judgment is unerring . . . With him a sensible idea needs neither elucidation or argument."

Of Mrs. Harding: " She represents the highest type of cultured American womanhood, and no predecessor in her high place has ever presided over the White House with more grace and genuine kindliness.

Speaking of his famous " cuts," he says: "The Secretary (Mellon), in his letter, which was made public, named the departments in which the cuts would be made—among others, the Navy $100,000,000 and Agriculture $25,000,000.

" On the first onslaught, the Navy dropped out for $100,000,000, claim- ing they could not cut a cent. Agriculture promptly followed by dropping out for their $25,000,000 announced in the Secretary's letter. Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead, and I regret to say profane ejaculations characterized by vocabulary. Secretary Mellon, who joined me at the office, joined also in the perspiration, though naturally a cool man." In spite of Navy and Agriculture, Dawes finally found $305,000,000 to save.

Dawes insisted that as manager of the budget he was not to interfere with policy: " We have nothing to do with policy. Much as we love the President, if Congress, in its omnipotence over appropriations and in accordance with its authority over policy, passed a law that garbage should be put on the White House steps, it would be our regrettable duty, as a bureau, in an impartial, non-political and non-partisan way to advise the Executive and Congress as to how the largest amount of garbage could be spread in the most expeditious and economical manner."

Senator Calder (Rep.) of New York and Senator Williams (Dem.) of Mississippi, old-timers both, sang their swan-songs to the 67th Congress and departed.

" The great need of Senators is political courage," said Mr. Calder, looking forward from 18 years' experience.

" The best thing about my political career is the ending of it," said Mr. Williams, looking back, and bitter after 28 years.

" Some men are Senators because they are rich; a few are rich because they are Senators," wrote Viscount Bryce in his study of American politics.

One rumor has it the largest pot in the continuous poker game operated by members of the 67th Congress was $32,000; another, that it was $24,000. [The game is played in a small building near the Department of Justice.]

Brigadier General Frank T. Hines, Director General of Railroads after Mr. McAdoo, was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate in his new post of Director of the Veterans' Bureau. He made two statements to the press: