The Washington herald., 1913-12-26
Statesmen, Real and Near.
By FRED c. KELLY.

by hED -. hEL@L1.
Representative Frank z. Doremus. OF
Michigan, is going to endeavor to keep
Congress Democratic, even il he has to
from his pocket within full view of a
startled and expectant populace.
1t would not be the first time Dore-
mus has waved a mysterious stocking
aloft and told things about Ii, but II
that fails he will doubtless have other
Ziegfeld or Belasco tricks that may be
equally effective. At any rate, he pur-
poses to leave no stone unturned TO
keep Congress Democratic, just like 1t
is now, for that Is his job. They have
elected Doremus chairman of the DEM
ocratic Congressional committee. The
position is one that has a dry and hol-
low sound to those of us who find poll
tics and political talk a good deal OF
a bore. Right at first IL sounds about
as exciting as II one were to say that
Soandso had been elected president
pro tenn. of the Association of Sur
vivors of the Sultana, or Esteemed In
ner Guard OF the Knights Of the
Sacred Sow.
But here is the idea: The Republic
ans, being the party out of power. will,
of course, try TO pick flaws in the do
ings Of the Democrats, and undertake
TO make the next House, or Senate, or
both, Republican. II they should sue
ceed 1t might be difficult for a Demo-
cratic President to get done the things
he wants to, and IL the President can I
get anything done. why, he is in bad
fix. Thus we see that the Congression-
al elections next autumn may deter
mine whether the present administra-
tiOn shall end up as a success or
fizzle. and that puts US right into big
league stun. Doremus is the fellow
who will be chiefly responsible for dop-
ing out the schemes to get a large
mess of Democrats elected and keep
Congress the way It is. He is re-
sourcefuI person. and, whether II takes
silk stockings or
All. yes. that's what you've been wait
ing to hear about-what that silk stock
ing had to do with II. You've forsaken
the lingerie advertisements over In other
parts OF the paper to pause and learn II
there isn't some high-grade scandal
lurking here TO surprise and delight you.
Well, to be perfectly frank, Doremus
landed in Congress by means of a SILK
stocking-a g stocking such as are worn
bv French maids in the first act OF
problem plays. He got up before the
voters Of Detroit night after night, pulled
the limp. but mysterious stocking from
his pocket and told what he knew about
1t. When the voters learned the awful
truth they went and cast their ballots
for Doremus. and that was the way he
broke into Congress. He knows as well
as ANYBODY that he wouldn't have got
here except for the stocking.
Besides his disposition to sit back and
listen End keep out OF the conversation,
Doremus is noted for his Willingness TO
seek advice. He doesn't agree to take
all the advice he gets, but he hunts Tor
il and doesn't care a continental how
humble the source. Not long ago he was
greatly interested in a bill pending before
the House. Another Congressman dropped
into his office and Doremus asked him
what he thought about the bill. The
CONGRESSMAN gave his views and Doremus
listened.
II must ask some others about that"
remarked Doremus.
The door opened and an expressman
came in with a package.
Doremus explained the bill to the eN-
pressman and asked him what he thought
about it, And he listened to the eX-
pressman's ideas just as carefully as he
had TO the Congressman
Shortly after he first came to Wash
ington. Doremus was honored by being
invited by a Senator TO attend an ex-
elusive little dinner TO meet a couple of
international celebrities.
Bring a friend said the Senator. Il
am going to bring Mr.. Soandso, OF the
Cabinet. as my guest. We are going to
make it a pretty nifty assemblage."
That was the tip for Doremus 10 bring
the most celebrated person he knew.
So he invited the young man who was
acting as his stenographer, because he
thought the stenographer might enjoy it
II have no dress suit They may
frown on you for bringing me-" suggested
the stenographer.
Then I'll simply frown back said
Doremus.
So you see he isn't a bad sort.
Copyright, 1913. by Fred C. Kelly. All rights re
served