The Washington times., 1913-07-09
SUMMER BRINGS OUT
SENATORS COOL TOGS
White Linen and FIanneIs More
and More Evident As De-
bates Drag to an End.

Summer days in the Senate Chamber
bring no relief for the tired legislators
They may discard heavy clothing and
blossom forth with such effulgence that
even Senator ]. Ham Lewis does not
stand cut from his fellows. but they
must remain on the job as the debate
on minor bills and resolutions drags on.
Every day longer that the term extends
into the summer sees some new Senator
joining the ranks of the "fussy' dres-
sers.
A figure in snowy white from crown or
hat to tip of toe, enters the Democratic
cloakroom. AS his hat comes OF the
long iron-Gray hair marks Senator Var
daman OF Mississippi, coolest of all the
ninety-five members who are compelled
to stay here through the summer.
White duck suit. white shirt, collar. and
tie. white belt and hose and shoes-he
is a refreshing oasis in this legislative
desert.
Conventional Attire Forgotten.
In the chamber are dozen flannel and
linen suits. an odd dozen pairs of white
flannel or duck trousers. and here and
there white shoes. with dark clothing
evidence Of the inroads that the tenn
perature has made upon Senatorial fash
ions. There remains a faithful group
in correct black or dark blue-Gailinger
of New Hampshire, Smith of Maryland.
Johnston and Banwhead OF Alabama,
Bacon OF Georgia, Goff of West Vir-
ginia. with occasional recruits The
rest either brazenly faunt the light raj
ment Of the tropics or compromise on
grays and light browns, with here and
there concession to laundered white
waistcoats of broad expanse.
That crinkled linen suit blazoned with
the red flowing tie protects the generous
form of Newlands of Nevada. The other
cream-colored one sets off Oyerman of
North Carolina, and those neat white
shoes, socks and trousers to the left are
worn by no less a parsonage than the
solemn McCumber of North Dakota
White flannel trousers have appeared on
the boyish form Of the erstwhile for
mally correct Henry Cabot Lodge OF
without vest. exhibiting the bosom of
a black-and-white striped shirt to the
astornded gaze of his colleagues
Queer Sartorial Effects.
Senatorial fancy has taken curious
turns. Jones of Washington has found
a shirt and collar of robins egg blue.
Clapp of Minnesota pats saffron vest.
Brandagee of Connecticut, wearing a
linen suit and fighting for air. strolls
into the Republican cloak room for ice
water. Nelson of Minnesota. in alpaca
coat and a pair of trousers that
wouldn't tip the scales at more than ,
pound, steadies himself at the doorpost
and then resolutely steps out to listen
&c the discussion or our relations with
NaXiHn nf a..
and Stone of Missouri, in gray silk coat
lies Imply back in his chair, wiping his
forehead Bacon waves a broad palm
leaf fan, and carefully adjusts his
choker collar before rising to ask a
Reed of Missouri draws up his white
tannels and glowers at a calendar: IL
Is still two months before currency
can be disposed Of Simmons walks out
to the Democratic cloakroom. where
Smith. Williams and owen are smoking
To forget the weather. The air is thick
with smoke; every settee has its
sprawling statesmen: ice clinks in
glasses passed around by walters from
the Capitol cafes.
Congress Dare Not Quit.
New Senators are discouraged. but |
they know the protest is a waste of !
words. Congress will stay In session |
until September. Hot days or cool, the |
old members remind them indifferently. |
the committee work and caucus wrang-
ling and delays must 90 on, while Pres !
ident Wilson sits sweltering at the |
White House, keeping tabs on Con- |
gress, determined that party pledges be |
by reduction of the tariff and |
legislation.
Congress may bend before the heat |
blasts of Old Man Sol but 1t dare not |
quit.