Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-28

There are occasions however. when 1t
does not. They tell the story of one of
the western members who sent as his
campaign literature many reports more
than six years old, and received more
than third of them back with the no
tice that he would have to be more up
to date to be reelected.
In his earlier days in Congress Joe
Wheeler was said to have sent as many
publications to his constituents as he
could lay his hands on. He supposed
that he was thereby gaining many friends
among his people, but when he returned
after his first session in Washington, he
found that he had made, at least. one
enemy. The day that he arrived home
the mail carrier appeared with hand
Fart instead of his usual horse and
wagon, and told every one that his horse
had been killed carrying Joe Wheeler,s
publications.
One of the greatest volumes issued by
the government in point of popularity Is
the Agricultural Departments year book
Although the senator's distribute about
10000 copies annually and the repre-
sentatives about 200, 600, the demand Is
much greater. Next in popularity comes
the horse and cattle book, which tells all
about the various breeds of stock their
good points and bad points. and their
ailments and treatment. 1t Is print
ed every two years, and each member
distributes about 300 copies.
From the viewpoint of the average citi-
zen there are a lot OF unattractive publ
cations issued by the government, but
the driest Is not necessarily the least USE
full. The Nautical Almanac, for instance,
is most Valuable publication in the
hands of those who have use for Ii, and
the statistical reports are priced highly
by men engaged in national and foreign
commerce. There are lot OF pamphlets
that come out under the title Of farmers
bulletins" which. when bound, into one
volume, are of the most absorbing inter-
est to the housewife who delights in
turning out good things to eat. They
ical use Of meat In the home" nuts, and
their uses as food" milk and eggs, and
their uses as food" dread and bread
making" and much other information of
such q character that gives many hints
in preparing the family meals
Some of the publications issued through
this means are Of inestimable value be-
cause they are of such a nature that their
compilation Is not attempted outside OF
the government service. In the scientific
line the Smithsonian reports contain a
great deal Of valuable information in
archaeology and ethnology which could
be gotten from no other source, while to
the business man the consular reports.
which contain accounts OF foreign agri-
culture, commerce, health and imports
and exports, come as an immense help In
their work. There Is also large map Of
the United States, which would cost the
buyer no less than So, which is eagerly
sought by educators. Such publications
come only in small lots. which means
that they are some little trouble to the
members in placing them in the right
hands.
IL the specter Of death invades the
houses of Congress many times in a sea-
son. 1t also makes it's presence felt I'm a
way among the men in the folding rooms
For every member that dies there Is a
a euiogy printed to the amount OF about
4. 600. Each member Ia allotted about
eleven copies with the exception of the
colleagues of the deceased member, who
receive fifty or moro. Some Of the edi-