The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-04
WASHINGTON CHITCHAT
Items Of Interest Gathered at
the National Capital.
GIFTS REQUESTED OF UNCLE SAM
pected Pianos In Lieu of Seeds
Why the Wife of Representative
John sharp Williams Knows He IL
Absentminded True Jenersonian
Simplicity.

During the consideration Of the agri~
cultural appropriation bill in the house
there were several interesting collo-
quies regarding the experience Of men,
bers in the distribution Of garden and
other seeds that are provided by the
agricultural department for general
distribution by members of congress,
says the Washington correspondent Of
the New York Times.
There is a feeling in some sections of
the country that a congressman can
get almost anything he asks for at the
public expense, and the mail brings
many curious requests. 1t is not an
unusual thing for members to receive
orders for encyclopedias, dictionaries,
etc., and from some Of the agricultural
districts come requests for farming
implements and other articles that
would be of value in the cultivation Of
the soil. The seeds sent out do not
always meet expectations, and the con-
sequent disappointment suggests many
requests in the way of compensation.
One of the Democratic representa-
lives from Missouri recently received a
letter from an agricultural constituent
complaining that the seeds sent him
had not produced what was anticipated
and requesting that a piano be sent
him in lieu of seeds and documents.
He explained that he had read in a
newspaper pianos and parlor organs
were being distributed by the agricul-
tural department, and he wanted a
piano.
The member replied that he was
sorry he could not comply with tn,
request of his constituent. Being a
Democrat, the department discriminate
ed against him, he said, and gave pi-
amos and organs only to Republican
members. Mr.. Bartholdt was the only
Republican member from Missouri, he
said, and had been awarded all the
musical instruments set aside for the
state of Missouri. 1t was added that
Mr.. Bartholdt had recently drawn
twelve pianos for distribution. MI.
Bartholdt is now engaged in explain
ing to numerous applicants for pianos
and organs that he has none of those
instruments to distribute and that the
government does not include such in
struments in it's list of articles sent out
to the agriculturists of the country.
Representative John Sharp Williams,
the leader of the minority in the house,
is absentminded. Mrs. Williams Joined
him after congress met. Representa-
tive Williams was in great haste n
morning to attend a committee meet
ing and without waiting for breakfast
hurried up to the capitol. says the New
York Worlds Washington correspond
emit.
"B-r-r-r-r-r!" rang the telephone from
the Williams apartment shortly after
Mr.. Williams departure. ar
"What is it?" asked the young wom-
an at the telephone central.
"Please have some n come up and
unlock my door," Mrs. Williams said.
whats the matter?" asked the lock-
smith when he arrived. It5
my husband forgot l was here and
locked the door," Mrs. Williams
planned.
People who have grown apprehensive
lest the White House entertainments
were losing their true democratic char
acter were relieved of all fear at a re-
cent reception which was given by the
president and Mrs. Roosevelt in honor
Of the congress Of the United States.
says the New York Tribune.
Senator Cockrell, the venerable
statesman from Missouri, was among
the guests. As he was ascending the
marble stairway which leads to the
main floor some n called his atten-
to remove his o%vershoes. Not wishing
to lose his place in the line, the senator
promptly eXtricated himself from his
ample goloshes, set them to one side,
placed his calling card In INT and
went on.
Throughout the evening guests as
cending and descending the beautiful
stairway viewed with surprise and
amusement the conspicuous gum shoes.
They were of generous proportions,
and as they reposed on the snow white
marble they bore mute but eloquent
testimony that true J~effersonian sim
plicity has not totally disappeared in
the nations capital.
A distinguished contractor who was
heaping abuse upon the treasury de
partment because it had not seen ft to
renew a contract which he had held
for years called On Secretary Shaw a
short time ago and. after failing to get
a reconsideration Of his proposal, aired
his grievance to a group of newspaper
men, says the New York Tribune.
Secretary Shaw smiled when he was
told what the ex-contractor had said
about him and the department. "It
seems to be a little hard to wean him."
said tn. secretary. HE doesn't seem