The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-06
i
BENCHES FOR Use
I OF HOUSE MEMBERS
Change Made Necessary on Ac-
count of Increased Mem
bership.
CHAIRS AND DESKS REMOVED
General Appearance of Legisla-
tive Hall More Like English
Parliament.
CHAIRS AND DESKS REMOVED
ny p. III. MCGOWAN.


Washington. April 5.-Elliott Woods,
the man who Ia charged with the
maintenance and good order OF the
United States Capitol and it's extern!
slve grounds, and who also is the man
responsible for keeping the Capitol
Building warm in winter and cool in
summer for the members OF the
national House OF Representatives.,
has just completed big task,
and he is justly proud of his work. He
has taken out every seat in the House.
including those in the Cherokee STRIP
and has substituted handsome mahog-
any benches in their places.
When the last census was taken
and 1t w-is found that the membership
OF thc House would immediately be in
creased by the addition of about forty
new men, 1t was then seen that some
thing would have to be done TO mako
room for them. The addition of new
states into the nation of Stars and
Htripes in recent years, had taxed
every available inch of floor space. and
u was. indeed. problem to know
where tho additional members were to
Dc placed. Various plans were sug-
gested Some thought the camp stool
Wherever he might find a foot or two
OF room. might be Il good plan. Others
thought that a kind of meZzanine hal
cony, which would safely accommodate
hfty or more members. might be placed
in the House. while still others offered
hrst one Kind Of suggestion and then
another But all the time the man
| who was to make the changes. was
saying little, but doing lots OF think
ing That was Elliott Woods.
when 1T became time to say what
he thought about housing the new
members he was right on the spot with
blue prints and detailed plans He
showed that It would never be feaaible
TO put in more individual benches each
, having It's own swivel chair. More
chairs would mean crowded elbow
room, and much discomfort generally.
iuii al the chairs and desks out. he
said, and substitute benches. The plan
was at once seen to DO not only FEAST
bic. but entirely practicable, and no
sooner had the scheme been proposed
than actual plans were underway FOR
ripping out tho old desks. changing
the sianting floor space to meet new
conditions. selling tho old outfit and
contracting for the new and handsome
| benches which arc now in place, ready
Tor the nations lawmakers when they
assemble here for the extra session OF
Congress Monday at noon.
All this has been done since March
] !. There has not been a day with tho
exception of Sundays. when the sound
! OF the saw and hammer was not heard
! reVerberatins through the House wing
of the Capitol Building Everything
which had been turned upside down
iE order that the benches might be
properly placed and In apple-pie order
before the congressman get back has
been changed to order. and the whole
presents beautifu! and harmonious
appearance when viewed from the gal
leries above. The general appearance
is now more like the English Parlia-
ment than 1t was before the change
was made. and almost every day scores
or visitors find their way TO the Capitol
Tor the purpose OF getting a view of
the benches before they are OCCUPIED
hereafter there will be no special
seats assigned TO any particular NOM
bers, but, on the contrary, they will
he allowed TO sit wherever they may
desire. 1t Is believed. however, that I'll e
old members will choose their places
under the new plan, as near their for
mer desks as possible, and this will
! throw the new men to find places
wherever they may wish. Much Of the
useless junk which has Uttered the
desks of the members heretofore Will
hereafter. DO found missing, and 1t is
possible that nothing but complete
Tile of the Congressional Record OF
each day will be placed near the mem
bcrs' benches
Mr. Woods is much pleased with his
plan. and those Congressmon VINO
visited the House to-day, ware also
heard TO express their satisfaction OF
the changes which have just been
made.
Memorable FOR South.
The sixty third Congress, which
meets at noon Monday. should be a
memorable one for the South. 1t is
Southern Congress from start to fin
ish. and If good results are not forth :
coming before the gravel falls for the
last time in the House and Senate.
none will be to blame but the men
who have been sent to Washington
from Dixie as the representatives OF
the people
The South IL in control. with
Champ Clark and Underwood leading
things In the Honsc, and Tillman, Mar
tin and other Senators in control Of
the Legislative machinery at that end
OF the Capitol. everything indicates
the complete success of the new SEES
sion.
1t is doubtful If Virginia ever had
better or more representative dele
cation, taken as n whole. than that
which is now credited to the Old Do
minion. with Senators Martin anc
, Swanson in important positions in the
Senate, and the ten House members
all occupying influential places on the
other side os the Capitol, Virginians
may hope for the greatest amount OF
success. Holland, Jones, Montague
| Watson, Saunders elias, Hay, Carlin
Slcmp and Flood make a delegation OF
which any State may well be satisfied
or the old members, much has al
ready been written. and 1t Is safe tc
1 say that Of the two new oncs--Monta
que and Watson-they. too. will max,
their mark in the halls OF nathona