nov 11, 1911 - Philip Dru: Administrator. lt was the story of a
young West Point graduate, incapacitated for
military service by his health, who was caught
by the spirit of revolt against the tyranny of
privileged interests...He himself becomes
dictator...to bring about an international
grouping or league of powers, founded upon
Anglo Saxon solidarity....Five years after its
publication an enterprising
bookseller, noting the growing influence of
House in the Wilson Administration
-Initimate papers of Colonel House
Vol.1
Description:
The extent of Colonel House's influence upon the legislative plans of the Administration may be gathered from a remarkable document, which deserves some attention. In the autumn of 1912, immediately after the presidential election, there was published a novel, or political romance, entitled Philip Dru: Administrator. lt was the story of a young West Point graduate, incapacitated for military service by his health, who was caught by the spirit of revolt against the tyranny of privileged interests. A stupid and reactionary Government at Washington provokes armed rebellion, in which Dru joins whole-heartedly and which he ultimately leads to complete success. He himself becomes dictator and proceeds by ordinance to remake the mechanism of government, to reform the basic laws that determine the relation of the classes, to remodel the defensive forces of the republic, and to bring about an international grouping or league of powers, founded upon Anglo Saxon solidarity. His reforms accomplished, he gives effect once more to representative institutions as formulated in a new American Constitution, better :fitted than the old for the spirit and conditions of the twentieth century.
As a romance, the book was not notable, for the effort of the anonymous author had evidently been spent upon the careful working-out of the political and social ideas of the young Philip Dru rather than upon its literary form. Certain reviewers, however, were piqued by the daring and the ingenuity of these ideas and, treating the book as a political manifesto rather than a novel, acclaimed it as a remarkable publication. Speculation as to the personality of the unknown author, who was described merely as "a man prominent in political councils," naturally followed. There seemed to be general agreement that he could not belong to either of the two older parties. " We trust he is to be found among the Democrats," wrote one reviewer, u but we greatly fear he is of the New Party." Another reviewer was of similar opinion : " We trust that the author's counsel and assistance will be available at Washington, if not during the present Administration, surely when the Prqgressive Party assumes control." There were, indeed, numerous suggestions that Mr. Roosevelt himself was the author.
Five years after its publication an enterprising bookseller, noting the growing influence of House in the Wilson Administration, wrote with regard to the book: " As time goes on the interest in it becomes more intense, due to the fact that so many of the ideas expressed by Philip Dru: Administrator, have become laws of this Republic, and so many of his ideas have been discussed, as becoming laws." And he ends with the question, " Is Colonel E. M. House of Texas the author ? If not, who is ? "
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