GUYS—STIFFEN!

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20221, 3 February 1934, Page 30 (Supplement)

GUYS—STIFFEN!

U.S. Guards Come to Attention. SMARTENING UP. Visitors to the rambling pile of masonry that borders the White House and serves as the headquarters of the nation’s treasury may soon witness a sight akin to the manoeuvres of his Majesty’s Coldstream Guards at Buckingham Palace, writes the Washington correspondent of the International News Service. When Henry Morgenthau, jun., took over the portfolio of William H. Woodin as Secretary of the Treasury he went on a tour of inspection. During his tour of the ancient structure he paid particular notice to the corps of special guards stationed at various points, who are entrusted with the task of serving as watchdogs over millions of dollars in gold and currency reposing in dungeon-like vaults below the building. Must be Immaculate. Upon returning to his office, Morgenthau probably reflected that any man who keeps an eye on the Government’s vast fortune should possess an appearance of dignity and esprit-de-corps. Thus, on the following day the guards who languished at their posts, their feet propped comfortably on battered desks and perusing the latest detective stories, were rudely jolted by a written order from the “ big office.” Treasury guards have been acting like rural constables, the order said. This does not look well to the public. Beginning immediately, the order continued, guards must not sit down except for “ temporary relaxation.” Uniforms must be immaculate—a spot or two will draw official frowns; a missing button, severe reprimand; baggy pants, fiery denunciation from the chief himself. Better Let Him Read. Reading of newspapers and periodicals must cease, warns the order. This ban on literature, however, may be tempered with qualifications in some instances. It was pointed out some of the guards conduct lengthy and isolated vigils deep in the bowels of the building. The silence is that of a tomb. A man within such close proximity of fabulous fortune must not let his mind concentrate too deeply on the rows of stacked currency and bars of gold. No doubt it would be better to let him read a book.