Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01

IL DilnS at the seat VI
ment to take up their leSista-
tive labors and once more they
come back to an improved as well as Il
renovated Capitol. If there is any struc-
1ure in our broad land that is maintained
in perfect repair-''well kept up in
every sense of the term-it is the white
doned building on Capitol Hill.
Uncle Sam is rarely bothered by a
shortage of cash for such betterment,
and it is proverbial that whatever may
he their economies in running the general
government the senators and representa-
tives never stint themselves with refer
ence TO those things which make for
their comfort and convenience at the
Capitol.
Some years ago il was the practice 10
carry on repair work and new construc-
ton at the Capitol at all times. but stop
was put to this when there was an acct
dent in connection with some repair work
In the hall OF the House of Representa-
Iives that all but cost the life OF a prOm-
nent member. Thereafter. decreed Con-
gress. a labor of this kind must he
performed during the recess between
sessions.
:. x
Now this annual congressional re-
cess naturally varies greatly in differ
ent years Ordinarily every other year
is long session" and every other year
is short session" but sometimes this
program is upset by Il special session
and then again. whereas il may be neces-
sary Tor a short session 10 Cnd on the ith
of March. there is 10 similar limit 10 the
continuance of long session. As IL
happens. 1872 was the year for long
session. but few persons anticipated that
it would he quite SO lengthy sitting as
il eventually proved.
Congress did not finally close up shop
until along in the dog DAYS" and this
has seriously interfered with the plans
which had been made for 'sprucinS up
the Capitol building during the recess.
About all that there was opportunity
for were minor Improvements and or
binary repairs However. in Il little more
than three months there have been com
pleted exactly Isl tasks
II is essential to include the Capitol
grounds as well as the hui ding. for not q
little Of the recent work has been done
II the be%utiful parl. on which Cons resi
Is spending millions of dol airs 10 enlarge
ard improve. The last severe winter left
its scars on the nittd States Capitol
grounds it did elsewhere N the com
Try. and the most unwe!come outcome
was the loss of a number OF the state Y
trees that have won the admiration of
visitors TO Washington i'll years gone by
To repair the havoc the Capitol Off
Gals have been planting large number
of youT.g trees. and in order that these
newcomers may in after years possess
added interest for the people of the ma
ton there has been followed the custom
of having many f the new trees as
possible persona ly planted by promiGeH
men Thus the late Vice President Sher-
man planted tree; so did Speaker
Champ Clark. Senator IOdge and Senator
Wetnore and a numt.sr of the leadin e
men of the two branches OF the national
Ieg' stature. Meanwhile the officials have
Eestirred themselves as never before To
rave such forest nIonarchs the Cap
tol grounds nov boast. The trees have
been carefully sprayed at frequent inter
Vais 10 discourage the insect pests and
tree doctors" have been en- gagged at con-
siderable expense TO practice their arts
in an effort TO arrest decay.
::
OF course. the Capitol building has had
it's annual bath on the eve of the re-
turn of it's distinguished tenan1s. Thi.
cleansing of the vast white marble Pill,
by means of clear water hurled agains
Two or three fire engines and consider
s;reans are engaged for days AT u tim
on this odd chore-
OF the actual improvements made dur
ing the past quarter OF year at tn
Capitol some of the most important-im
Jortant at least from the standpoint q
the congressman tnemselves-have had L