Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-24
Washington Life
Some Interesting Phases
and Conditions Observed
~ the Nation'a Capital.

Via OPPORTUNITY cuts some merry cepers
in Washington. To statesmen retired by
ungrateful constituents he shows how
their hooks may be clinehed at the public
crib without the aid or consent Of the
voters. As soon as the hook 10 securely
fastened the jolly old sport knocks At the
door Of the hammer artist and screams
an invitation to work. The past master
of poltico-suggestion whispered temptingy
to the lame ducks" Of congress how to
Danish the pain Of separation. and forth
with or later a number Of commissions
were authorized. carrying the regulation
congress salary and incidentsls, and such
members as we're out at home but In the
deal, we're named for the pleasant duties
of Investigators and junketeers, Probably
half q score OF these commissions are in
full blast at the cashiers wicket Gener-
ally speaking, they are endowed with per-
petual life. II any member resigns the
fact escapes notice only a few days ago
a Washington paragraph mentioned the
completion Of an index to the old files OF
congress by former Senator PETER Of
Kansas, the once famous populst who
dropped out Of sight years ago. How long
he has been on the Job only the cashier
knows and the chances are his grip is
good for a lifetime.
The last flock Of lame ducks provided
for in advance have scarcely become ac-
quainted with their Jobs before they are
assailed as drones In the public hive, eat
ing up as much honey as they can put
their paws on. Senator Cummins of Iowa
is trying his hammer on the monetary COM
mission, in which a fine bunch of retired
senators and few defeated representa-
lives are sheltered from the wolf at 81 800
per. The Iowa senator unfeelingly insists
on the commission finishing its job this
year, and then let the members go without
a rain check. A resolution to effect that
end has been introduced and the debate
on it will turn the light on this and many
like Ravens for the retired and hungry
patriot. In three years the monetary COM
mission has drawn over 100000 from the
public treasury. There Is no restriction
on its treasury pull. The money comes
on the proper voucher. Originally com
posed of active members Of the two houses,
serving on the regular salary, twelve Of the
eighteen are now ex-members, but the sal
airy goes on just the same. Not only are
the members comfortably fixed financially,
but the commission occupies the SWEETEST
suite of rooms in the senate office building
and SCOTS at the suggestions of regulars
to pack up and move on to the back
benches.
Speaker Champ Clark intends to main
tain order in the house OF representatives.
Probably twenty times, a day he brings
down his gavel five or six times and de-
claims:
THE house will be in order Gentle
men In the aisles will take their seats"
The words house" and order are es-
pecialiy emphasized. Such interruptions
viii frequently occur in the midst Of a
speech, and always precede the reading of
a resolution or the taking Of O vote.
To person 1000 miles from Washington
a reading Of the proceedings of the house
In the Congressional Record might we'll
convey the impression that the democratic
house is a scene Of confusion and chaos
AS a matter of fact Mr.. Clark is preserv.
ing the most perfect order seen in the
house in many a day, and Is being obeyed
by the members with slacrity. He merely
gets wrought up on slighter provocation
than did Speaker Cannon.
The house employees two reading clerks
at 5000 year each. Seventeen democrats
have applied for the places. which require
unusual physical endowments and q Snowl-
edge of parliamentary custom. All of the
voices tested so far lack strength, carry
ing quality and clearness.
Five new men we're tried out the other
day during the regular proceedings Of the
house, but ell failed TO come up TO the
standard of e. ]. Lampson OF Ohio and
Dennis f. Award, republicans, who have
held the places more than fifteen years.
Minority Leader Mann, who occupies
seat about the middle OF the house, COM
planned OF not being able to hear what
one aspirant said, and so confused him
that he could not regain his composure or
voice and had TO retire in disorder
A thing that strikes a close observer OF
Mr.. Taft, relates Leslie's Weekly, is the
attitude he takes in the matter Of personal
Difference to himself When he was APP
preaching his train in the Grand Central
station on his way to be notified of the
presidential nomination, Henry w. Taft,
with him. stopped short in the cOncourse
with,
We'll, I'll have to leave you here"
Cannot you accompany me to the
tramp Mr.. Taft asked
mo; I am afraid the station rules would
not permit Of my going through the
gates"
The presidential nominee stopped min
ute and was plainly disappointed
Henry, you come along, anyway" was
his answer Maybe / can get you
through"
Needless to remark, he succeeded. So
great an ovation did the station officials
and train crew give him that Mr. Taft
could have had the locomotive for the ask
ing
Another incident IL reported between MIR.
Norton, then the presidents secretary, and
Mr.. Taft.
Mr.. Norton, have you heard from those
hotel folks in Augusta about our accom-
modations?" Mr.. Taft asked
No" replied Secretary Norton.
well, do you suppose they'll have a
room for us?"
Yes, Mr.. President, I think your chances
are pretty good Mr.. Norton laughed and
so did everybody else
MRderO IL Marching On,
81. Louis Republic.
With poignant emotion we note the fact
that Madero-Francisco l. Madero to be