ns
of the Administration [Wilson's] may be gathered from a remarkable
document.... In the autumn of 1912, immediately after the
presidential election [when Wilson was elected for his first term]
there was published a novel, or political romance, entitled _Philip
Dru: Administrator_.

"It was the story of a young West Point graduate ... 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 a
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....

"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.... Is Colonel E. M. House of Texas the author?' ...

"Colonel House was, in truth, the author....

"'Philip Dru' ... gives us an insight into the main political and
social principles that actuated House in his companionship with
President Wilson. Through it runs the note of social democracy
reminiscent of Louis Blanc and the revolutionaries of 1848....

"Through the book also runs the idea that in the United States,
government is unresponsive to popular desires--a 'negative'
government, House calls it....

"The specific measures enacted by Philip Dru as Administrator of
the nation, indicated the reforms desired by House.

"The Administrator appointed a 'board composed of economists ...
who ... were instructed to work out a tariff law which would
contemplate the abolition of the theory of protection as a
governmental policy.'

"'The Administrator further directed the tax board to work out a
graduated income tax....

"Philip Dru also provided for the 'formulation of a new banking