The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-02-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
ConEressmen and Their Hair-DecO-
ratiOns and ButtOns-Report
on Submarine Boats.
[snecial Corresnondence.l

most beautiful silyery white hair In
the house belongs unquestlonably to
Representative McAleer Of Philadel-
phla. 1t is rich and glossy. There has
been nothing like 1t since the days OF
Breckenridge OF Kentucky, whose
shock Of siIvery hair was at once the
admiration and the envy OF every menu
Der. McAleer's hair has always been
whIte-unllke Flndlay Of Maryland,
who came to the house a perfect
blond and who gradually developed a
snowy crest Of hair. There are very
few white haired men In the house.
Most of the members are baldheaded.
AS Mr.. McAleer has the whitest hair,
80 Representative Curtis Of Kansas
has the blacklist. 1t is said that Cur
It's has an Indian strain In him, which
accounts for the inlly color of his
locks, but whether this be true or not
his hair Is q black as that worn by
McCreary Of Kentucky when that ami
able statesman was in the house. There
were dark and mysterious rumOrs that
McCrearys head was covered by a
wig. No one yet has had the hardi-
hood to make that suggestion about
Congressman Curtis.
Red haired men are not numerous.
Shafroth Of Colorado, Hopkins Of Hi
nois. Lorimer Of Illinois and Alexan-
der Of New York complete the list. But
AIexanders hair is red enough for
two.
Decorations and Buttons.
It Is rather interesting to glance
over the floor Of the senate and house
and note the various decorations or
buttons which appear in the lapels or
the coats. Of senators and represent
atiyes. Senator Warren Of Wyoming,
for instance, is never without the tiny
bow Of red, white and blue ribbon
that denotes him to be the p0ssessor
of a medal Of honor awarded him by
congress for gallant action In battle,
a distinction which is only shared by
one other senator, General Sewell OF
New Jersey. Senator Quarles wears
the button Of the order Of the Loyal
Legion. and quite a number Of mem
bers Of both houses display the crescent
and sclmiter of the Mystic Shrine.
Representative Richardson Of Tennes-
see is the only member who wears
conspiclously the starred and barred
flag Of the Confederacy, showing him to
be n member OF the Confederate vet
Grams. while Representative Louden-
slayer Of New Jersey never comes into
the house without a bright red car
nation In his buttOnhole.
But the most interesting insignia Is
that worn by Senator Mason of ILL
nols. 1t Is a miniature American flag
manufactured out Of American silk.
1t is pinned upon the senator's hat,
and when he comes down the aisle he
looks like an inaugural procession.
Report on Submarine Boats.
Construction of additional submarine
boats Of the Holland type is strongly
opposed by the board of construction IN
q report to Secretary Long which has
been sent TO the senate and house
naval committees.
without desiring to dlscredit the
Holland in any way" says the report
cor to detract from her merits, the
board Is of the opinion that the utility
Of boats OF this class has not yet been
sufficiently demonstrated to warrant
the construction Of others than those
already authorized, eight In number
which are considered a sufficient mum
Der to experiment with.
"As regards the cost Of the present
boats namely, $4,000 each - the
board Is of the opinion that II the cos
of construction, with a reasonable prof
| to the contractors, is alone considered
1t Is a very high price, but If the ex
penses of developing the boat are tax
en- in consideration the price is not ex
cessive.
SHOULD congress see fit to authorize
any more submarine boats the boarC
is Of the opinion that no special typ
should be specified, but that the secre
tary of the navy should be given dis
erection to contract for such boats al
in his judgment are likely to prove tn
most efficient and best suited for nava
purposes, thus opening up competition
and giving other inventors q chance.
Mutations of Politics.
On New Years day gentleman an
lady and n child stopped on Pennsy
vanla avenue in front Of the Whit
House and stood for some moment
looking through the tall iron fence
Diplomats in much gold lace were hui
rylng out of the wide door. Carriage
were dashing up and away. The arm
and navy, resplendent in full dress un
forms, were marching In. Down tn
western walk to the gate and far b'
yond the curvlng and aDgled column O
the people stood waiting. The gentle
man. the lady and the little girl Shove
no inclination to enter, but gazed o
| the scene with evident interest. III
thoughts went back easily to the tim
when the head Of the nation standin
to receive congratulations was his II
Their. The lady II 1t pleased her to b
reminiscent recalled when her fathe
United States senator. passed dow
the line. And the child possibly had
dim recollection Of having been IAN az
ministratlon Lady" The group of thre
said little and when vision was sati
fed passed on.
Mr.. Harris has introduced a bill
the senate amending the civil serviC
laws so that preference will be given
civil war veterans in appointments r
tention and promotion provided the
| massage hueinose coDacity necessary Il