The National tribune., 1910-11-10
HUSTLE And ACTIVITY
Will Rule in Washington Until
Next Summer-The Statesmen,
Officials and Clerks Thronging
Back to the Capital.

The eXcruciating prediction period
at Washington has now dragged its
wearisome way toward a finality. In
short order now the hustle and activity
which make a real Winter Capital by
. the Potomac will be in evidence OF
course, the President will be out of
town till well up to Thanksgiving. but
Washington has become accustomed to
that. 1t would have contributed much
to the industry of politics and Admins
tration at Washington if he had decided
to forego the journey to the Isthmus of
Panama. Nevertheless in few days
the clerks and other Government em-
ployes who have been back home to
vote and perhaps to do a little mis-
sionary work for the party will be hik-
ing to town. The desks in the Depart
ments will now be speedily manned to
their full capacity for the first time
since last July, when the Summer Capt.
tai was established at Beverly.
The statesmen will also be returning
with some alacrity. They cannot fix
up their errands at the White House
Offices this year in early November, as
many of them like to do, because of
the Presidents absence, but they can
do a lot of preliminary talking and
comforting about matters in which they
and their constituents are interested
and do quite a bit toward getting things
ready. 1t is the lawmakers from be-
yond the Alleghenies who make a prac-
tice of coming to Washington early in
November. Their arrival may be de-
ferred a little this year, because of the
reasons already given, but enough Sem
ators and Representatives Will be speed
lis on the ground to afford some politi-
cal life to the town.
The solons from New England and
the adjacent States do not come to
Washington for the session, as a rule
till late in the month. They like to eat
their Thanksgiving dinners at home
and will undoubtedly do so this year
Some of them will not reach Washing
ton till the Saturday before Congress
conyenes. No one expects Congress to
do much of anything except enact an
appropriation bill or two before the
holidays. The usual recess will be tax
en- unless all precedents are smashed
and the serious Congressional work will
not be taken up dill early January.
The holiday season in Washington
this year promises to be crowded more
with executive business than usual The
last week or 10 days OF November
which the President spends in Wash
ington, must be devoted IN large part to
his annual message and also to the Sc
lection Of men for important judicial
vacancies. A lot of the visiting which
Senators and Representatives are ac-
custOmed to do at the White House Of
- hces just before Congress conVenes must
be postponed this year, and probably
Will take place in December, when Con-
gress IS not very busy and is waiting
for the committees of Senate and
House. especially of the House, to pre-
pare measures for consideration.
There will be a good bit of PATRONAGE
for the President to dispense. This
does not mean great number of Of
fees, but the usual accumulation after
Summer and an Autumn. and mem
bers of both Congressional branches
Will have many requests and statements
TO present in that connection The
President has made very feA- engage
ments for December that can trench
upon his regular office hours.
Washington Welcomes the Wanderers
Those who dwell in Washington the
year around always welcome the re-
turn of Congress and also the return OF
the hundreds of Federal officials who
in recent years stay in Washington but
little when Congress is not here The
season approaching will be very short
Tor Congress adjourns March 4, and
there is every prospect that the recess
Will extend for nine months, or until
December, 1911. The President intends
staying in Washington about three
months after Congress adjourns hui
VIII get away 10 Beverly earlier than
ever before unless something occurs to
interrupt his plans.
There is vast deal of business to be
disposed Of in the next four months
and it will be handled with as much
expedition as the circumstances permit
a goodly portion of the lawmakers will
De serving the last year of their terms
Some will be anxious to get certain
tninss done before retiring to private
life. Others. because of the approach
ing end OF their tenure. viii spend but