Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-30
SOME INTIMATE VIEWS OF
CONGRESSMEN DOING CHORES
Stranded Americans Europe Taxed Resources MembeUnce
Slow PaymasterReal Estate Lobby Active Washington
BY E. W. TOWNSEND

"DOING chores" is what experinced mem
~ bers of Congress call It; "transaotIng bus
iness with the executive departments" new
members call It, more accurately. perhaps, but
more pompously. To many members 1t is their
most interesting work in Washington, espe-
claly to those who enjoy making acquaintance
with the wonderfully varied activities OF gov
ernment in its relations with the individual
citizens.
Most of the chores fall to the lot of members
from largo cities, more especially to those from
seaports. because from them arise questions re-
lating to the tariff, immigration. naturalization
passports Government supply and contract
work. with which inland members are not so
much concerned. But the latter naturally,
called upon to do chores relating to the work
of the Bureaus OF Soils, of Animal Industry,
Forest Service. Public Lands and Rural Free
Deliveries. None escapes; to some II is pro-
dgious bore, to others a welcome insight into
the unsuspected functions of government.
War Brought Big Tasks
New phases OF this work arise to surprise
members. and OF this class none created more
confusion for time than the abrupt demand,
which started at the beginning Of the European
war. for the location of and aid for thousands
of Americans stranded in the war zones.
Every one read in July and August OF million
aires stranded because their unlimited letters
OF credit became worthless. The Importance OF
the persons concerned gave great newspaper
space to such stories, but little printed
about the thousands whose funds. letters Of
credit and home bank accounts were exhausted
They were the whose plight required the
two appropriations amounting to 81 $4,000 BY
Congress.
What members Of Congress and oficials OF the
State Department discovered. TO their dismay
was that thousands literally dozens OF thou
sands OF Americans make a tour abroad with
precisely enough funds credit. which. ex-
pended on a carefully prepared plan OF daily
disbursement would leave them with street car
fare and nothing more upon their return to
America. A few days interruption in this ltin-
srary and-they were broke. psnnilsssl They
had so much for each day. not margin for a
weeks lay-oh.
Then II was that members OF Congress began
receiving letters calling upon them TO do a new
line Of chores. Get my father" or mother or
sister, brother. son. daughter as the case might
be- "back from Europe!" Some OF these appeals
were accompanied by checks or offers OF checks
to provide expenses. but many were not One
member received a letter IN which the writer
demanded aid from all the machinery of the
Government to insure the speedy return OF his
parents land I'll share expenses with you"
the writer literally added.
His Answer Took Time
It took that member some time to compose
satisfactory letter. sxplsining the many
demands on his salary which would deprive him
OF the pleasure OF personally chipping IN for
papa ana mammals return passage money.
Another letter 1 saw read like this;
MY sister-in-IaW ana my wifs's cousin and
two children are IN EurePs. Please see they are
brought hack. because see Ia ths papers you
have money Tor them"
The writer Of that letter was taetfuny
requested to givs the names of his relatives
ana some hint ~ 70 thsiF whsFssbouts ''in
Europe" when last heard from. and Aeflns upon
thls information when Il va hnally receives.