The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-19
Official Washington's
Unofficial Side Of Life
j. c HEMPHILL,
In Philadelphia Ledger.

President Wilson was driving along
the street in his automobile recently
when he spicd little Sallie McAdoo,
daughter of the Secretary OF the
Treasury. on her way home from
school The President recognized the
child. stopped his car and called
Come on, Miss Sallie. and I'll give
you a ride"
Miss McAdoo was accompanied by
little friend. and she hesitated TO
leave her. even for the honor OF driv-
ing with the President
Bring your friend along: there's
plenty of room said the Pres!dent.
noticing the situation. and both girls
climbed into the car Miss Sailie
properly introduced her friend TO the
President. she proving to he the
daughter OF government official from
West Virginia.
And IS your papa q politician, TOO ~
asked the President of the new little
girl
Yes sir. he is she replied. blu,
he doesn't want to be President" she
promptly added.
Well don't blame him, said tho
President. who at that moment was
on his way to the golf course. In an
attempt to forget some of the cares
OF his Office. He took the girls to
Secretary McAdoo's home. where lie
set them down, some what clustered
by their experience. but proud of il.
nevertheless.
One OF the most interesting an
nouncements OF the present session
of Congress was the one recently put
out by Senator Lewis. OF Illinois. TO
the effect that henceforth he would
sign his name plain Hamilton Lewis
1t was the sensation OF the day. in
fact OF several days. although official
Washington has now become some
what used 10 IL, Senator Lewis's full
name is james Hamilton Lewis, and
for many years he has been known
among the politicians by the abbrev!a-
tion OF Jim Ham" Lewis There are
number Of Distinguishing features
about Senator Lewis besides hts
name. One OF them IS HIS whiskers
He wears a set OF whiskers closely re-
sembling those worn by the late James
McCrea. president OF the Pennsylvania
Railroad, except that the color is diff
ferent Lewis's wh!skera frequently
are referred TO nppantly in the pub
lie prints as pink" and the design
ton Is not SO far wrong at that. for
they are of :. rather light reddish hue.
although the Senator's hair IS quite
dark.
At gridiron dinner some months
ago one of the actors" peer!ng out
over the banquet hall. remarked. "Ah.
/ see the aurora borealis."
That isn't the aurora boreaus."
replied another: that is Jim Ham
Lewis's whiskers."
But Senator Lewis is not only noted
for his name and his beard he Is one
of the niftiest orators in Congress, and
likewise one of the most tashionably
dressed members.
When he announced that he pro-
posed to sign his name plain Hamilton
Lewis. Senator Kern, of Indiana. also
bewhiskered. urged him not to do it,
IF you start In on authorizations
OF this sort II might wind up by hav-
ing your wh!skers shaved off. which
| would be public calamity" Kern
pleaded
1T certainly would be calamity II
! II influenced you to follow my ex-
ample" was the quick come back of
| has not overtaken the country. Sena-
tor Lewis has abbreviated his name
but his whiskers still float In the
breeze.
Automobiles have come TO be a big
factor in political campaigns, and now
nearly every candidate for Congress.
especially In tho country districts.
| makes his canvass by motor, in this
way being able to meet and talk with
many more people each day than he
possibly could in any other way.
one member OF Congress, who Is
candidate for reelection Is the owner
OF big seven passenger touring car.
which cost him considerably more
than $1,000, and which he and his
family drive about Washington \
friend recently asked him II he In
tended taking this big high powered
! car out into his district to be used for
campaigning this fall.
~ do not" promptly replied the
Congressman. II have $500 car out
home which I use for campaigning
purposes. and ] am getting 1t over
hauled and ready for the battle. You
may call 1t hyprocisy II you like. but
you can bet 7 wouldn't take this big.
expensive machine out among the
farmers Of my district; 1t would be as
bad as calling upon them attired In
full dress suit. The machine have
at home for campaigning purposes has
a good engine, and can get over the
ground, but the paint is nearly all
worn off 1t, the top leaks. the wind
shield is broken and the lamps haven't
been polished since I sought the suf-
frages OF the people two years ago
It is n popular make OF car. such as
the farmers use pretty generally, and
I can get them interested by talking
carburetors, ignition, ETC.. and COM
pairing notes. But If took this big
thing out among them. they wouldn't
speak to me. much less vote for me-"
All of which Is Illuminating as to
practical politics. Many politician
who has risen to the statesman class
has dressed tho part while out among
the hustings appealing for votes.