Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-19
Observation-Disclosures
Especial Correspondence

The compulsory uSelessneSS of all
new members of the house of repre-
sentatives continues to afford material
for many jest. Representative Pow
ers of Massachusetts, whose exception
al popularity in congress is in no small
part due TO his amending flow of fun,
was asked by a constituent the other
day regarding his own outlook for get
ting to the front in the present house.
Il am right in the center of intiu-
ence this time" said Mr.. Powers grave
ly. Il have a seat close TO Serene
Payne. There is no knowing but that
l may be asked TO move adjournment
of the house some day before long, and
it would not surprise me, should l
make Il good impression on him, to
have him ask me to divide time with
him on this important duty. l may
yet be adjourning the house every 9th
er day"
Mr.. Powers interview on the presi-
dents message at the opening of the
last session, when he said that his
views were the same as last year"
has been widely quoted this week by
members who have objected, if Repub-
licans, to the perfunctory recital of
platitudes of approval, or, if Demo
Gratis, to cOmmOnplaces of criticism.
1.-The same as last year" comment
seems likely to become general. 1t has
already been attributed to Chauncey
Depew.
Arizona Dates.
Secretary Wilson took to the cabinet
meeting the other day a small package
of dates grown in Arizona from date
palms obtained by the department of
agriculture in the desert of Sahara
three years ago. Four years ago one
of the scientists of the department
was sent 300 miles into the great des-
ert on n trip of exploration. He found
the date palms growing luXuriantly in
an oasis there and reported to the de-
partment that i'll his opinion the trees
could be grown in this country. \ year
later he brought to this country 400
of the young trees, which were trans
planted in Arizona, where they are
fiourishing. The first fruit from them
has been received At the department.
a Collection of Portraits.
Represent, tives have an especially
convenient way of getting acquainted
with new members of the house. Sew
eral years ago this easy method was
introduced, and it has proved to be so
popular that it has been continued.
This method consists of providing Il
gallery of portraits in the office of the
sergeant-at-arms, in which is a photo
graph of every member. In this con-
gross there are 40 new members. and
there has already been added to the
collection of pictures a photograph of
nearly every one of them. As new
members are elected their pictures take
the places of the members who retire.
the latter pictures being placed in al
buns. They Will form in time 10 come
one of the most unique collections in
connection with congress
The collection is constantly being
made use of by members of the house.
Many of them study the faces of the
new men. and when they meet in the
house they are enabled to recognize
them without other introduction. Many
of the newspaper correspondents make
use of the pictures by borrowing them
in order to provide illustrations for
their papers. The plan of having this
gallery kept up to date has become SO
popular that it is not likely that it will
be abandoned. 1t is expected that the
house will some day take action by
which the collections will be turned
over to the National museum for per-
manent preservation there as the men,
bers leave congress.
House Poets.
Representative Thompson of Alabama
dropped into poetry in the middle of 4
tariff reform speech the other day. He
recited with great declamatory effect
this gem:
One by one the roses fall.
Drop by drop the spring runs dry;
One by one beyond recall.