South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-08
Statesmen Real
and Near.
By Fred c. Kelly

WASHINGTON, Feb. s. Sen.
owen OF Oklahoma has a great habit
OF losing complete track of the on
ward march Of time Sometimes he
will sit down at his desk shortly after
breakfast to work at something and
VIII never give moments thought
to the clever feats performed by the
clock until darkness Overtakes him.
A while ago owen had a stenograph-
er, a young woman who was not
aware of his continuous performance
system of & plying himself TO task.
owen started in to dictate to her at
about $3.50. Along about 3 o'clock
in the afternoon he was still at it.
He paused to think of a letter he
was to write, but could not recall
just what it was.
1T seems as if I've forgotten some
thing" he remarked musingly.
'Mebby suggested the new stenog-
rapher, lit was lunch"
Claude Kitchin of North Carolina,
who is to be the next floor leader of
the house of representatives, is a
modest chap. There is one accom-
pliShment, however, of which he is
inclined to be boastful. He contends
that he is probably the than-whomest
person in the entire country when it
Il can tote more kids" brags
Claude, than anybody"
Doubtless he is right, for he has
had more favorable conditions TO de-
velOp his skill in that line than falls
to the lot of the average man. Claude
is the parent of nine girls and boys.
Who wouldn't attain a certain pro-
ficiency at Juggling youngsters, a Ger
tain expert technique, as you might
say, with the wealth of opportunity
right at hand for daily practice
Kitchin contends that he can carry
five children, all too small to walk,
and can do it with the utmost un-
concern.
You tuck two under each arm"
he explains, taking them firmly
about the waists with the smaller
kid on top and the heads forward.
That makes four. The fifth you can
let ride on your shoulders"
And there are eye witnesses who
declare that they have seen Claude
Kitchin performing that identical
feat
lively new congressman took a fancy
to Kitchin and suggested that their
families go out for an automobile
ride some pleasant Sunday afternoon.
Claude agreed that that would be
mighty nice and his friend did not
notice the little queer smile that
trickled over his face.
The following Sunday, as it hap
pened, the friend drove up in front
of Kitchin's dwelling place and
hOnked his presence. In due course
Claude Kitchin came out followed by
Mrs. Kitchin and nine other Kitchins
of assorted sizes. He did not intend
to take them all along, but he wished
to let his friend think so, for the pur-
pose of his joke.
why didn't you tell me you were
making a collection of youngsters -
asked the friend, so that 1 could
have provided myself with a sight
seeing van?'
Kitchen comes from town called
Scotland Neck. 1t is not a pOpulous
place compared with many larger
cities. One could doubtless count the
entire population in couple Of hours.
But one of Claude's methods of
joking is to get hold of somebody
and talk solemnly Of the great mu-
nicipal projects and the vast business
enterprises Of Scotland Neck.
In New York one day he paused
with a companion in the midst of the
throng about Broadway and Forty
second street. and remarked sadly:
do you know this sight here
makes me mighty hOmesick It's so
much like Scotland Neck on Saturday
night"