The Washington times., 1909-04-14
Nep0 Members
Escape Hazlng

There was a time when the new re-
cruit 10 Congress went through a hazing
process during his first session which
for pure cussedness had the West Point
system at it's highest state OF efficiency
beaten of the boards.
Time was when the green member had
his newness worn of by the empty
stare from his experienced coUeag CUES
in the House. ne was ignored as vac
uity: his speeches-if he got a chance
10 make himself hearU-Tere applauded
at the wrong places, the funny parts
were met with a dismal silence, and the
oratorical flights were laughed TO scorn-
coming from his district, where ne was
hailed as the Biggest Frog in the pud-
die, the statesman about TO make his
mark IN the book of national history
and not unnaturally a little pleased with
himself, found no admiring multitude
mere 70 cape at his greatness. no one
resentative So-and-SO, no one to help
him learn how
Maybe he was shocked to learn that
the hotel he selected required an ad-
things have happened-and maybe he
came near being pinched for walking
on the grass at the Capitol grounds.
But To- this session found the new
Representative at his best Chairman
Payne. of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, OF John DalZell, or some others
of that all-powerful machine actually
talked with him and perhaps Uncle De
even patted him on the back. And
Chairman Olmsted. Of the Committee Of
the Whole. honestly seemed glad to give
him time for speeches! Even more.
when the speech was delivered, there
was somebody always on the job 10
lead the applause at the right moment,
and deliver a proper laugh at the hu-
morous hits.
were in demand at this session. The
machine of the House, just before the
session began. found itself badly in
need of votes to adopt the old rules and
re-elect Cannon. The insurgents
wanted votes for the contrary program.
Between the two. the new member was
fairly swamped with attention. Those
who helped the machine reaped their
reward. During the general debate on
the tariff bill, more green recruits de-
livered maiden speeches than are gem
orally heard in q whole session.
Even after the machine had won its
fight the new member was still valU-
able. Advocates OF free lumber sought
his friendship (and, incidentally, his
vote; prOtectionists pleaded with him;
/ free traders in hides smiled AT his
I Jokes and lavished attention on him;
/ lobbyists buttonholed him and fattened
/ his ambition with adulatiOn- He was
made TO think his vote settled the
whole blooming thing. He was taken
I in hand, shown how to use his sta
/ tionery account to the best advantage;
where to put in the applause on
! speeches which he didn't deliver, but
/ merely asked leave TO print: told how
/ to get books from the Congressional
/ Library for his wife at home. and was
/ generally put wise to all the ins and
/ outs of the Congressional game that
usually requires several sessions TO
learn.
But, aIagi Eext session the new Rep
! resentative will, in all likelihood, get
what's coming to him-more than
enough to make up for his early lack
Of hszing An extraordinary session
demands extraordinary tactics, but
when the ordinary business of the
country has the call in the House, the
new member gets a lemon. The
! chances are that lots of citrus fruit
will be handed him next December.