Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-28


Moreover, he is the goat on whom may
be blamed the failure OF an individual
member 20 secure something his con-
stasuents-and only his constituents
want Mann wouldn't let II go
through IS considered a sufficient ex-
crse IN most instances.
lie is also the Infant terrible" OF the
House. Don't try that older members
will warn younger ones who have IN
mind attempting to sneak something past
a negligent House, for Mann certain!
will bawl you out If you do
Not elegant language, of course, but
IN. unofficial language Of Congress is not
ALWAYS elegant 1t Is the homcly Ian
guage OF everyday Sfe In America. a DIV
redolent or the soil. not unmixed WIN
slang. and this sturdy and powerful
leader OF the minority speaks IT himseI
with freedom and ease.
AIr. Mann occupies the unique position
In the House Of being the man who ap-
pears 70 be fully informed on every oil!
that comes before that body IN the
ordinary course o. business. How ne
does II is q mystery to most members
and TO those who observe closely the
operation Of the great Legislative ma
chine on Capitol Hill. And yet to MS
notion there is nothing mysterious
about IT, lie attn outes 1t to q willing
ness 20 work.
But his wonderful memory, memory
that Is tie aInazernent and the delight
OF his admirers, is also largely RESPONSE
ble He possesses {, mind that seems 70
be absolutely Photographic IN It's ability
TO retain facts. figures. entlre printed
pases OF government documents, prece-
lent IN IeKislation and every Quirk ana
turn IN tn. rules Of the House.
X Is doubtful il in the entire history
u the republic there can be round man
who has spent more hours on the floor
~ the House When he was forty years
1ld-ia ls.6-he was elected TO the flfsy-
fifth Congress. Once every two years
aince nc has been reelected. Now there
are a number OF men who have been
more years In Congress. but no one OF
them has spent so much time directly ON
the floor. OF course, there Is no system
% timing a congressman on his EXITS and
entrances, but by general observation
arity OF attendance.
He 10 always there Be tho sessions
prolonged. Mr.. Mann drews his rations
n the form Of chocolate from his pocket,
ribbies and sticks.
4 master OF House detail, lie is the
mentor OF the body. His curiosity never
seems to Gag. He wants 10 know all
abou, everything that comes up. and SO
lie Is always pry,ng about In the channels
that carry information.
When engrossed bills which have passed
the Senate come over Mr.. Mann finds
line to search them deliberately for err
.ors. Should the printer have substi-
,a.eG an or Tor an of II is Mr.
Mann WHO sees that the error IS correct
-. II the bill contains a 'joker''-and he
: wizard IN detecting jokers-It is GER
ain that he VIII make known the fact
u il Mr.. Mann WHO offers more corrcc-
lions than any one else TO the printed
i.eco:d and journal. IN other words. he
seeps the House straight IN the details
or Its business.
and then, too, he IS the ASA ss.nator OF
purely personal legislation. Here Is tile
case OF the boy who has been most arbi-
,rsTily and unjustly dismissed from West
Point-as his friends relate it-'for doing
CT interviews her congressman and gets
& bill introduced to return the boy 20 the
academy. What legislator can stand up
against weeping mother? What COM
Tn!ttee can?
The bill goes through the committee.
comes into the House with a favorable
report and Is called upon the unanimous
consent calendar. Then arises the cruel.
knowing ones were sure he would.
II OBJECT" he announces, and the bill
goes over. The weeping mother comes to
hinl and weeps all over his Office carpet;
used to tears. And the bill dies.
~ don't like to do these things" said he
10 some one who asked him about cases
such rs these recently but some one