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Show THE BULLETIN The Who Were the Greatest Americans? By ELMO SCOTT WATSON F SOMEONE asked you to name the 40 three-quarte- and Jurists linked together in the vener- - GEORGE WASHINGTON ation of their countrymen and if Washington is No. 1 American then Lincoln is inevitably No. 2. As for No. 3, two names .are pretty certain to come to your mind and you'll find it difficult to choose between them for this honor. But it's not likely that anyone will seriously dispute your choice if you give that place to either Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson and assign No. 4 place to the other. No. 5? Ah, here's where you're going to have difficulty in deciding and even after you do, how many people do you think you can find who will agree with you? If, from the other 36 possibilities you should decide to name the man who guided this nation through the greatest war in history, your choice will have the support of a man who is regarded as something of an authority on American greatness. He is Dr. Dumas Malone, director of the Harvard University Press, and among the reasons for calling him an authority are these facts: Back in 1922, at the suggestion of Dr. Frederick Jackson Turner, one of the leading historians of d the country, the American Council of Learned Societies, composed of members s, from various colleges and decided to sponsor the compilation and publication of a number of volumes of American biography which would be the "last word" in this field. To accomplish this meant at least 10 newly-organize- uni-sitie- A Alonumental Work. One of the editors who joined Dr. Johnson's staff in 1929 was Dr. Malone, a native of Mississippi and at that time a professor fif history at the University of Virginia. When Dr. Johnson died two years later Dr. Malone was chosen as his successor and under his direction the Dictionary Oj American Biography was completed last year when the twentieth volume was issued. Characterized by competent critics as "the greatest work of historical scholarship yet produced in this country," the Dictionary contains the biographies of 13,633 Americans who, in the opinion of Dr. Dumas and the 2,000 biographers who aided him in the work, were important enough in the history of our country to entitle them to a place in this permanent record. Since Dr. Dumas Malone has spent seven years of his life in compiling such a record and in that time has had an opportunity to ponder much on the question "What is greatness?" it would seem that he can be safely reof garded as an authority on the greatest Americans. So one of the first things he did after completing his editorship of the Dictionary of American Biography was to draw up a list of the 40 greatest Americans. Then he wrote an article about it which was printed in the April issue of Harper's Magazine and immediately a great number of Americans who have their fellow-countrym- I I ing! "Why should there be 18 statesmen and soldiers, nine literary men, three painters and sculptors and only one business man? Doesn't he realize that this wouldn't be the country it isr if it weren't for the business men?" asked some. WOODROW WILSON years work by hundreds of writers who were recognized as au- thorities in all fields of American history. More than that, it meant the expenditure of more than half a million dollars and the council, while "long" in vision and ambition, was unfortunately "short" in funds. In fact, when it first took up the project it didn't even have the $500 necessary for traveling expenses for members attending committee meetings. But it four.d an "angel" in Adolph S. en "Where are the inventors in his list? What about Thomas Edison?" asked others. "There certainly ought to be more than one clergyman and one educator, among the 40," declared still others. "Aren't scientists who find out ways to save life just as important as soldiers who destroy life? Look there three generals and only one scientist!" Question of Ranking. Nor have the disagreements with Dr. Malone'i list been confined to the scarcity of representatives in the various professions. There have also been demurrers against the order of rank within the group of statesmen, soldiers and jurists. Why did he rank Ulysses S. Grant ahead of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis ahead of Theodore Roosevelt, Stephen A. Douglas ahead of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, they ask. They also question his judgment in including William Jennings Bryan in a list that included only a third of our Presidents. They wonder why John Quincy Adams rates a lull Arts Saint-Gaude- ns Clergy Jonathan Edwards Joseph Story Philosophy William James Science Louis Agassis Business Education Andrew Carnegie Charles W. Eliot place in the list but James Monroe doesn't and they wonder why Gen. Winfield Scott is there and "Stonewall" Jackson isn't Dr. Malone is not surprised that his selection has caused controversy, for he expected it when he wrote his article. He is quoted as saying that his list might easily be revised by substitutions and changing the order in which he has placed the 40. But there is one part of his list which he says he "would defend with his life." They are the first five names Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilson. There has been no disagreement as to Washington and Lincoln, and only a little as to the relative positions of those two Jefferson versatile Americans and Franklin. But there has been strong objection to selecting Woodrow Wilson as the only American since Lincoln to stand among the five greatest. Many have declared that that position belongs to Theodore Roosevelt who is tenth on Dr. Malone's list In answer to the admirers of the Strenuous American, the Harvard professor says: Roosevelt Vs. Wilson. "Roosevelt thought of himself as a man of action and of Wilson as a man of words. But the record shows that Wilson was the man of action and Roosevelt the man of words. T. R. talked a great deal, but he couldn't put things through. Wilson's first two years are comparable to George Washington's administration. At no time after the beginning of the republic did any administration ever get things done as Wit son did. He assumed a new role in the Presidency, comparable to that of prime minister, leader of war." He says, however, that anyone "who wishes to do so may substitute for his name that of David G. Farragut, the greatest American naval hero." In fact, throughout his article in Harper's the Harvard professor, who refuses to be dogmatic in his selections except in the case of the first five, offers the reader suggestions for other substitutions. His article starts off with the suggestion that "for the diversion of her guests after dinner, when conversation lags and the it. . party. "As greatest of their rose up to say their say "Look There's not a woman on the list!" exclaimed some of them and you can guess which of the sexes did that exclaim- Literary Men (la Orirr of Their Ralph Waldo Emerson Nathaniel Hawthorne Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) Walt Whitman Edgar Allen Poe Henry David Thoreau Henry James James Fenimore Cooper Horace Greeley James Abbott MacNeil Whistler Augustus John La Farga Henry Clay Grover Cleveland William Jennings Bryan Gen. Winfield Scott was own ideas as to who were the Rank) Ulysses S. Grant Robert E. Lee Andrew Jackson John C. Calhoun John Adams John Quincy Adams Jefferson Davis Theodore Roosevelt ' Stephen A. Douglas Daniel Webster his ABRAHAM LINCOLN ef Thai James Madison John Marshall Alexander Hamilton rs Lincoln are inseparably Orlir (la 'a war President, Wilson a better administrator than Lincoln. The World war was better conducted than any other we ever fought. When the Republicans went back in 1920, there was practically nothing they could stir up out of the conduct of the war. But the most important thing about Wilson was that he was the first American in history who was the most important man in the world. That just never happened before." Just as Dr. Malone expected his selection of Wilson to cause dispute, so did he expect to draw fire by the absence of women in his list. "But it is actually no reflection on them at all," he says. "Until recently there has been no chance for women to achieve prominence in America. Until the Civil war, their only chance for distinction was as a hostess, like Dolly Madison, or as writers. There weren't many writers. Harriet Beecher Stowe is the best known but she falls short of the nine men on my list of writers. Frances Perkins was the first woman in public life and she is still alive." It will be noted that no living American is included in the list, since Dr. Malone applied the same limitation to this list as was applied to the Dictionary of American Biography. (Incidentally that's the reason for the use of the word "were" in the title of this article.) A Forgotten Hero. Dr. Malone is not surprised that there is disagreement over his inclusion of Gen. Winfield Scott as one of the three great soldiers which America has produced. But he defends his choice of "Old Fuss and Feathers" by declaring that Scott "taught Lee his generalship and he embodies the military genius of America from the War of 1812 to the Civil AND HOW IT WORKS Soakinc Salt Fish When soaking salt fish add a small glass of vinegar to the soaking water and it will draw out more of the salt. By ROBERT MERRILL THOMAS JEFFERSON GEORGE WASHINGTON ABRAHAM LINCOLN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WOODROW WILSON Statesmen, Soldiers Wife TO COURT Guarding Personal Rights THE "BIG FIVE" greatest Americans of the past, who would they be? Furthermore, if you were requested to select from these 40 the five who were so outstanding among the others that there could be no question as to their right to be called "great," with all that that word implies, which five would you name? There's not much doubt about your choice for the No. 1 American. Nearly a century and a half ago, Henry Lee of Virginia, in delivering his famous funeral oration in congress, called George Washington "First in War, first in Peace and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen" and successive generations of Americans have indorsed that characterization by elevating him to the highest place in their galaxy of the great. Moo if ttiara miioVi rioiint HS t" Ochs. the late publisher of the to whom you would name as New York Times. It required No. 2 American. Although only one short letter and one interview to persuade him to fseparated, as to time, by a of inance the undertaking and under nearly cf Dr. Allen Johnthe direction of names the George century the work son of Yale university Washington and Abraham wes started. C5j0f INTEREST SUPREME court has THE Supreme citizens not only from unfair treatment on the part of the federal government, but also from being deprived of Constitutional rights by the gov ernments of their own states. With Fancy work Before starting to draw the threads on linen for hemstitching, wet a small brush, rub it over a bar of soap until a lather is produced, scrub the threads of linen that you wish to draw, and they will pull out easily. Washing Windows Add a little An act of legislature which dis criminates unfairly against a cit- starch to the water used for washizen violates his rights under the ing windows. It not only helps remove the dirt, but gives a lasting Constitution. The eovernment must not only treat him fairly, but must treat him the same manner in which it treats other persons under similar conditions. On frequent occasions citizens have appealed to the court and asked: polish. Boiled Whitefish Clean a white-fis-h. To sufficient water to cover add salt and vinegar and a bunch of parsley and a quartered onion. Cook until the flesh separates easily from the bones. Drain and place on a hot platter, garnished "Why should the law of my state impose hardships upon me which it with parsley and serve with a does not impose upon other people? sauce. Isn't this a discrimination against Tomato and Lima Bean Cassme, and a violation of my right to the due process of law guaranteed eroleDrain the liquid from a No. by the Constitution of the United 2 can of green baby lima beans States?" and combine the beans with a can Matrimonial Rights. of tomatoes. Add a little butter When such a question '.s brought and seasoning, then mix. Place before it, the court studies the case in buttered casserole. Cover. and, if it decides the petitioner is Outer Leaves of Lettuce The right, assures the protection sought. For example: outer leaves of lettuce, often At one time, in the eyes of the trimmed off and thrown away, are law. husband and wife were regard more than 30 times as rich in ed as one person the husband. To- vitamin A as the inside leaves. day, however, a married woman may enter into contracts, and may Removing Mustard Stains own and enjoy her own property. Mustard stains can be removed Some years ago a state attempted from table linen by washing in hot to impose on one of its citizens an water and and rinsing in income tax which was calculated warm water. soap WNU Service. upon the combined incomes of the citizen and his wife. Because of the graduated scale of taxation, the amount of tax claimed was greater than it would have been had the individual incomes of husband and wife been separately taxed. The husband believed this unfair, and appealed to the Supreme court Finds Relief of the United States. He pointed out Safe, All- that under the laws of the state he had no control over his wife's egetableWay property or income, and held that, for state the was it therefore, unjust to impose taxe- - for them upon him. famous MSt Tahlrte film's The court heard his case, agreed now after yean of chrome with his contention, and gave the Remedy). But nhatacnangyl New pro new color and vi lality freedom ban bom declaring rlief for which he asked, and intestinal poisone. Thia the exaction arbitrary and a denial abjuWineaslantiws gently stimulates the satin of due proces. Dowel, giveaconi. thorauch nletc -i arm Newspapers Unfairly Taxed. a",rTTlTTanoT "We have no doubt," explained the opinion, "that because of the fundamental conceptions which underlie our system, any attempt by Sign of Age Old people take vacations when a state to measure the tax on one person's property or income by ref- they don't want them. Young peoerence to the property or income of ple never do. another is contrary to due process of law as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. That which is not in fact the taxpayer's income cannot be made such by calling it income." In a more recent case a state law was passed imposing a tax upon the advertising income of all newspapers in the sta'e with a circulation of over 20,000 a week. Since this af fected only the larger publications, KILLS INSECTS they protested that they were being treated unfairly. They held that on nowus nuns while the fctate had power to imVEGETABLES ft SHIUIS pose taxes, it had no right to tax some newspapers and not others, un teat PewwaT orfgfwnf less there was some reasonable hoiiln, trwm fanr aTar 1st ground on which they could be differently classified. The suit was carried to the SuShow Intelligence preme court of the United States. You don't hear babies using thai The court heard the newspapers' baby talk that grown people utter' appeal and decider in their favor. The court, in its opinion, referred to them. to an untrammelled press as "a vital source of public information." It pointed out that the case went to "the heart of the natural right of the members of an organized society, united for their common good, Don't Neglect Them I to impart and acquire information Nature deafened the kidneys to do a about their common interests." enanralous Job. Their leak is to keep the flowine Wood stream (raa of sn nana of Freedom of the Press. tsile finmnitiaa. The net of Urine We ilmiU U constantly rnducuin "The 1st Amendment to the Fedmiliar the kidneys met remove Itwo eral Constitution," the opinion exIf the blood food health Is to en dura. When the kidneys fail to function as plained, "provides that 'Congress Nature in ten dad. there Is retention ef shall make no law . . . abridging die. waste that may rauea tree. One nay suffer n arcing backache, the freedom of speech, or of the of attacks dinineas, penuslent headache, press . . .' While this provision is totting up nlfhla, eweUfng, putflaeai under the evea feel tired, nervous, sil not a restraint upon the powers of the states, the states are precluded FrMuMit- - mtiitf ar htamhtn aaaanees may be further evidence of kidney ef from abridging the freedom of bladder disturbance. speech or of the press by force of The recognised and proper treatmeri b a diuretic medicine to help the kidneys the due process clause ox the wssto. get rid of ezern poisonous bodjf Amendment." Desa's Pills. They have had aura tie than forty years of public approval. Are "A free press," it added, "stands endorsee the country over, u as one of the great interpreters beZfeaa's. Sold at all drag atone. tween the Government and the peo ple. To allow it to be fettered is to If! , L- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN radio program is umpromising, a perplexed hostess might have recourse to the following game . . . let each member of the party write on a slip of paper the names of the five greatest Americans in history. It will be well to vote only for persons who are safely dead, though enlivening jokes about contemporaries need not be discouraged." His article ends with this statement: "It is 'interesting to speculate about an additional list of immortals which might be drawn up a generation hence. But I do not propose any such specu lation to hostesses and their dinner guests. In fact, I do not even propose to them the mak ing of lists of forty names. Five, or perhaps ten will be enough to Uf body-wi- de in fetter ourselves." In this way does our national umpire insist that the rules laid down by the people in the United States Constitution be observed not only by the federal government but by all state governments as well. THOMAS JEFFERSON provoke lively disagreement as lively, almost, as will be stirred up by my tentative and highly unofficial roster." His prophecy as to that "lively disagreement" has come true Perhaps YOU are one of those who would disagree, not only with his first five, but many others in his list of 40. That being the case, why don't YOU draw up your own list? You'll find it Just as stimulating and perhaps even more educational than work ing crossword puzzles! e Western Newspaper Union. Western Newspaper Union. The "Laughing Jackass" Kookaburras thrive in Australia. They are protected by law because they feast on snakes and mice. Their chief claim to fame, however, is vocal ability described as a cross between wild and giddy laughter hence their name, "laughing jackass." And because of the regularity of their calls always at dawn and dusk they also are known as the settler's clock. Classed as a member of 'the kingfisher family, the kookaburra observes absolute quiet at all other times. But when the first sign of the sun appears, one kookaburra sounds off as if to signal all others miles around. THE CHLERFUL Q1ERUB aee It hurts a ie a my conscience to be rich Were, rco.lly ill of eqvoi ro.nU, And some, Folks starve while here, tun I Just how-din- g in my bajik. T pennies J |