The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-02-22
FINE BATH TUBS
FORCONGRESSNEN
Luxuries Enjoyed BY Members at
Uncle Sans Expense
SOME INTERESTING ITEMS
BootbIack Stands Cost $55, Water
Coolers $26, and 1t Costs $1,000
Year to Keep Clocks Going.
Many Matches Used.
BY wArTERsoN sTEALEv.

Washington, February A.-(Special)-
The annual report Of the superintendent
of the capitol devotes considerable space
to the benefit received by members of
congress from the static electrical treat
ment, for which machine has recently
been placed in the house bathing rooms.
"The bathing rooms now present cleanly
and pleasing spectacle says the superin-
tendent in the course of his report with
the exception of one room the fixtures are
of porcelain of the highest grade. The
walls throughout are wainscoted with the
finest Italian white marble nine feet and
one inch high. In the excepted room the
walls are lined with so-called English
vein Italian marble. The tub is of the
same handsome material This bathing
room, as well as that in the senate wing,
is supplied with resting room supplied
with large 10-plate static electrical ma
chine, driven by motor. 1t seems that
certain classes of minor ailments affecting
the human body yield to this electrical
treatment, and the machine affords
harmless and beneficial tonic even to the
we'll Both machines have been much
patronized during the past session.
Executive Bootblack Stand.
But this is by no means the only luxury
enjoyed by the solons Members get
their shoes shined at the house sitting on
bootblack stands that cost s55 each. There
are two of them for which $110 w..
out of the contingent fund Of the hous,.
The plain people usually get their shoes
shined standing up or in an ordinary oak
chair, but these are, not good enough for
a congressman. The bootblack, stands
are made % solid mahogeny with cmboss-
ed leather ats ard baclfs. and as snuci
brass work a steam yacht.
Exclusfveness is becoming the rage in
the house. For years the senate has had
all the best things going, but there were
always watchdogs of the treasury like
w. s. Holman of Indiana or Mr. Cannon
of Illinois to protest against extravaganza
in the house. Cannon made no protest
this time for he was allowed to fit up
his committee room at an expense OF
more than $5000 and in addition was
given the great silyer-mounted cut glass
chandelier. which formerly hung in the
east room of the White House
Even the ordinary chairs occupied by
congressman on the floor cost $22. so each.
Ine JanlIOr OIL the mouse lS pretty nearly
as powerful as his brother In a New
York apartment house, for he has car
pet for his room which costs 81 % yard.
When Representative Cannon furnished
the room for the committee on appropria-
tions he took good care of his own conn.,
fort He writes his letters on a mahog-
any desk which cost $40. and sits In
mahogany chair which cost the govern
ment $50 His fire screen cost S29 and he
u,I1f m wi n
take a nap Even the water cooler in
which is put s17 worth of mineral water,
cost $26.
$1,000 to Keep Clocks Going.
1t costs more than $1,000 per annum to
keep the clocks in the house going. The
clocks cost all the way from $50 to $50.
and several men are kept steadily en-
ployed winding. repairing, and setting
them.
Another item is the purchase of a solid
silver stand for Sis which was placed
in the speakers room.
The official tip of porters, cooks walt
ers, etc, on congressional funeral trains
has been fixed at IS for the trip going
and IS returning. Dining car service and
supplies" is usually the largest item In
the expense account for congressional
funeral
sandwiehed in between teaspoons, Ice
tubs silver trays, and backing brushes
FOR tba sneakers room there is an item
of one can of superior cream. What THIS
was for the report does not indicate:
The committee on rivers and harpors
holds the record for boxes of matches
issued to it. This committee used S36
boxes. Thousands of boxes were used by
the house During the last session seven
mouse trans were issued to various de-
nartrnents. but no acquisitions were re-
ceived for cats.
.sThis is a billion dollar congress- de-
clared Representative Cannon in discuss
ing appropriation bills in the last ses-
sion.