Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-05

tee in Congress, not
omttng such important committees those
on military and naval affairs and appropria-
tions Upon him, in the natural order of
things, devolves the duty of formulating the
committee program. AS it's spokesman he
has need of all the intelligence, tact, per-
suasiveness and skill in debate which he
can bring to bear. The committee has had
conspicuous representation in past years
men like Burton, Lodge and Root. Senator
Lodge is still a member. 1t Is quite likely
that Senator Stone as was the last
year, will be relieved of some of his re-
sponsbilites by the man in the White
House, for the President has shown consid-
erable Willingness. as everybody knows, to
drive with all the reins in his own hand.
Clever Cross Examiner
"Gumshoe Bllp Senator Stone is called.
He's quiet man, who looks as if he were
looking for something, and yet looks out OF
pair of eyes as expressionless as the Sphinx
itself He's a quiet man even in forensic
battle-showing no sign of fire till all of a
sudden, in crisp incisive words and q nasal
tone, he shoots a sharp question at his op-
ponent. He's a lawyer and said to be
clever one. His method in debate is often
that of a cross-eXaminer, Il method he
employs with greater freedom at committee
hearings. Otherwise he is not at all talka-
tive. fact that may indicate some promise
OF statesmanlike qualities. At any rate that
fact indicates one of the reasons for the title
of "Gumshoe Bill" The epithet may be eX-
planned farther as signfying the Senator's
alleged "noiseless methods in obtaining what
he wants" That last phrase is very sug-
gestive. especially If applied to a man in
political life. but nothing has been proved
against "Gumshoe Bill" The country heard
of him back In the days when Folk as
Attorney General and afterwards Governor
of Missouri, was cleaning up certain political
conditions in that State. 1t was bill"
Phelps, a politician and lobbyist who said of
Senator Stone at that time, "Stone sucks
eggs as / do, but he hides the shells"
That's as far as any charges ever went.
and that's also a very original way OF
describing gumshoeing, You see that Stones
reputation is largely impressionistic
Stone figured with La Toilette in the fill
buster against the Aldrich- -Vreeland cur
rency bill. The Wisconsin Senator held the
floor for 10 hours, Stone then spoke seven
hours. The blind Senator Gore followed. but
as the story is told in La Follettes auto
biography-Stone. who was to have taken his
turn next. did not return to the Senate cham
ber till Gore had sat down. thinking Stone
Toilette also being absent preparing material
for another speech.
Comes From Missouri
Stone comes from Champ ClaTk's State
but was born in Kentucky ST years ago. He
was brought up on his fathers farm and
attended the district school When the fam
fly moved to Missouri, the boy entered the
State university. After graduation he studied
law in the onice of his brother-in-law and
in 1869 was admitted TO the bar In 1872 he
was elected Prosecuting Attorney Of Vernon
County. He served in the 4sth. 5Oth and 5lst
Congresses going to Washington at the time
when Thomas Braekett Reed was leader OF
the Republican forces in the House. Stone
distinguished himself early in his con
gressional career as a capable. though not
brilliant. debater. In 1882 he was elected
Governor OF his State. For several years
thereafter he held the political control OF
Missouri one Of his accomplishments was