, 1907-08-06
PRINCE OF
ECONOMY
a Thrifty Missouri
Congressman.

With his shirt sleeves rolled up to
his elbows, standing beside a table in
a smokehouse, where he was assist
ing in cutting mp a big fat porker that
was to make meat for the family for
many days, w. T. Tyndall. of Spring
field. Mo-, formerly member Of con
gress from tho Fourteenth district,
Missouri. told how he had been able
to a v nearly $11. 900 out of his sal
airy Of $4,000 and the allowances for
incidental expenses during his two
year term at Washington. For cry
little Of the time he vas talking did
the ex-congressman cease his labors
on the porker, and occasionally he
brandished a piece of meat or the
knife he was using by way Of ges-
ture.
1T was simply by practicing very
strict economy" said MI. Tyndall.
Il have always believed that a mans
first duty is to his family. After he
has seen that they are well provided
for he should do what he could for
the support Of charitable institutions.
Then, when he has done his share in
that sort Of work. he a think about
some Of the Injuries Of life. Until
that time a man ought to do what he
a to ave and provide for his home
folks.
When l thought about my wife at
home making sausages and looking
after the baby, and, maybe, not feel
ing we'll, l knew / didn't have any
money to spend in any unnecessary
way. and l didn't spend any that way.
There are lots of ways q man a
save money, and a congressman in
Washington ought to be able to Say
money as we'll IS any one anywhere
else. Instead of putting up at n Of
those fashionable hotels where a man
has to pay from IS to $25 a day l OBJ
tanned board and lodging with the
family Of a man l knew, Congressman
Murphy, Of the Sixteenth Missouri
district, and I stayed at the same
place, and both of us were econom
ical. l had to pay $40 a month for
living expenses in a private home,
and this was the larger part of what
| paid out.
THE place where Murphy and 1
stayed was only a quarter OF a mile
from the capitol, and this made 1t pos
sible for us to save In one way at
least. We always walked to and from
the sessions, 1t was Just a short dis
lance and We had plenty Of time.
Many Of the other congressman would
drive back and forth in cabs and fine
carriages that cost money. l think
Murphy and I were the only congress
silk hats and dress suits. We felt
that We couldn't afford such things,
and SO we didn't get any.
MY family stayed at home. They
were not with me any of the time l
was In Washington. SO that / didn't
have to give any receptions. aud 1
couldn't have afforded 1t even II they
had been there. l never attended any
of the receptions or things Of that
sort. One reason was that I didn't
have time. / was working hard while
there. SO that 1t wouldn't have been
easy for me to attend any Of the regu-
lar social affairs II l had thought 1
could afford 1t.
when l was at home my wife
helped me with my correspondence
and clerical work. and when I was in
Washington l attended to 1t myself.
90 that l didn't need a private score
tary. As long ~ my wife and 1 could
do the work there was no use in get
ting some n else to do 1t and I
couldn't afford any extravagances.
When q man = afford to pay for
all these things it IL right for him to
have them II he wants to. but ~ long
~ he isn't able to spend the money
then he ought to see to things him
self"
AS the former representative CON
cluded the interview he resumed his
m~aAs:IIusc. The two wears at, wash-