The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-11
DALzELL
Some illuminating Facts About Uncle JOe's Handy Man at WashingtOn-Close Call
 From Defeat
By United Press.)

Washington, June H.
 Volumes could be written on the sad obscuration this year of the star of the Honorable John Dalzell, of Penn sylvania.
 Time was when Dalzell figured in the headlines as the horrid oppressor of the House. or as the author of some new gag rule, or other "iniquity." When Uncle Joe Cannon ruled the Committee on Ru1es-back in the days before Norris touched off his explo- sion and blew that body into king dom come-it was Dalzell who, as sen for member always arose in the House to announce the deliberations of the committee. It was Dalzell who in- troduced the gag rules; it was Dal- zell who led the parliamentary skir- mish over their adoption; it was Dal- zell who urged the stand pat boys to rally around the standard, and it was Dalzell who flung defiance in the face of the insurgents.
 Back in the days when insurgency was merely sort of innocuous blue bottle fly, and before the bug grew into an angry wasp with a sting, John Dalzell it was who arose, amid the stiffness of anticipation, and announc- ed:
 MT. Speaker, I am directed by the committee on rules to report the fol- lowing order.''
 And Uncle Joe just as if he hadn't O. K'd that very order some few minutes or hours previously would ponderously repeat that sentence. And special rule, limiting debate, Or limit ing amendments of some pet mea- sure.
 Dalzell used to be a conspicuous headliner in those days. He Is now classed as one of the Big Four in the House machine-the other three being the Speaker, Rep. Payne of New York, and Rep. Tawney. of Minnesota. He used to figure largely in the floor proceedings.
 But now, alas, since the insurgents swept away that five membered com- mittee on rules, and substituted fif- teen membered one, Dalzell isn't as important as he used to be. He does not bulk as large in the proceedings of the House. He is about the only silent partner in that Big Four part nership.
 "Uncle Joe,'' as Speaker figures largely in the Record; Rep. Payne as floor leader for the Republicans and chairman of the big Ways and Means at least once a day-if not any other way, certainly he moves that the House adjourn; while Rep. Tawney, as chairman of the Appropriations committee, in charge of the big appro- priation bills spreads a lot of talk over the fair white pages of the Rec ord.
 So John doesn't figure largely in the proceedings nowadays. In addition, he isn't an impressive figure. He is short-very short He is spare. He dresses quietly-usually in grey-and always wears a red carnation in his utton-hole, just like Uncle Joe and Rep. Payne. He is quick and nervous in his movements and has sharp gray eyes with a, peculiar piercing quality. His hair and moustache are iron-gray. The most characteristic thing about Dalzell, however, is his trick of speak ing and walking with his head tilt ed over a wee bit to his right. He gives the impression of always acute ly listening for something. He isn't an eloquent speaker but has a direct ness about his utterance that makes him clear.
 Dalzeu is a first class parliamenta- rian In the old days he had to be, for it was upon him that all the "ag'in the rules insurgers" centered their protests against gag rules He had to defend the rules reported from his committee and had to hear the loud cries of the unwilling victims as he twisted the gag.
 At any rate, John used to break in to print lot, and he was one of those members whom the Capitol guides al- ways pointed out, and on whom visi- tors gazed with awe, despite his short stature.
 To crown all of Johns misfortunes he had @ tremendous fight of it to secure a. renomination in the stal- wart, stand-pat, protection, dyed in the wool Republican district which he has been representing for the past twenty-four years. He won out, but he had battle royal and may yet lose on a court decision
 Dalzell when he fights he fights hard. Members in the House have learned that his unimpressive stature and apparently pacific external ap- pearance conceal a fighting spirit.