Evening star., 1919-10-10
PRESS CLUBHONORS'
UNCLE ZOE Cannon
Messrs. GiIIett, Clark, Long
worth, Rodenberg Describe
His 40 Years in Congress.

Honors were paid at the National
Press Club last night to the only liv-
ing man who has served over forty
years in Congress-Representa
Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois. 1t was
''Uncle Joe" night at the club. and
tributes were paid to the distin-
Euished guest by Speaker Gillett. for
mer Speaker Clark. Representative
mick" Longworth of Ohio, Represent
ative Rodenberg of Illinois, and in
song by Representative Honey Fitz"
Fitzgerald of Massachusetts, and the
Press Club quartet.
"Uncle Joe" was declared to be not
30 much an individual as an institu-
tion. 1t was recalled by Mr.. Long
worth, who presided. that only four
men have served longer than forty
Senator Allison of Iowa. Senator Nor
rill Of Vermont, Senator Frye of
Maine and Mr.. Cannon. The unique
feature of Mr.. Cannon's service. he
pointed out. is that it has all been in
the House. he not having been de
moted"-to use the word of Mr.. Long
worth-to the Senate. Later Mr..
Cannon stated that so far as he knew
only one man is in the House today
who was also in the House when he
began his service-Gen. Sherwood of
Ohio. He entered Congress, he re-
minded the audience, when Grant was
president.
Affection Pervades Anecdotes.
The public life of the Illinois legis-
lator was reviewed in terms of sin
certify. mirth and affection. Many of
the peculiarities of Mr.. Cannon were
hy- h.
Gillett spoke Of Uncle Joe's trait
OF walking up and down the aisle
when making speech and of his
many and varied gestures. In pay
Ing compliment to the effectiveness
OF his method of emphasis, the Speak
er stated there were many imitators
who failed to realize that the matter
was more important than the manner
OF Its presentation. 1t was recalled
that during one of Uncle Joe's
speeches, he was making his u43al
tramp up and down the aisle, when
one of his colleagues interrupted to
ask:
Joe. are you making this speech on
mileage?"
Speaker Gillett especially empha-
sized Mr.. Cannon's services as chair
man of the House appropriations COM
mittee and his success in saving
money to Uncle Sam. And in that
connection, he lauded James C. Courts,
Tor many years clerk of the appro-
pr1atlons committee. Later, Mr.. Can
non related how he protested against
g. political appointment to take the
place of Mr.. Courts and succeeded in
havfng the latter retained. He also
recalled admitting on the floor of the
house a charge that Mr.. Courts Rad
made the regulations of the chairL<ea
iaerved.
Speaker Gillett spoke of his first
coming to Congress twenty-six years
ago and witnessing the welcome
which Uncle Joe received upon his
return after having been out Of Of
nee Tor one term. IF person can
peak Of age of one so young as Mr.
Cannon" said the Speaker. II believe
he looks no older now than he did
then"
Former Speaker Clark recalled a
former speech he made to the Press
10 introduce group of baby con-
Gressmen, he stated. and in the
course of his remarks to them he said
that the longer man serves in Con-
Gress the better congressman he be-
comes. and he advised constituencies
10 return men to Congress.
Three million copies of that speech
were printed, mainly by men who
Wanted to come back" added Mr..
Clark, amid laughter.
Deprecates "Meddling" in Europe.
Mr.. Cannon was on the program to
reminisce lad lib." and he talked of
many incidents of famous party de-
hates In the House. In recalling some
experiences of his service with the
House appropriations committee. he
ppinted out that in the old days all
appropriation bills were handled by
that committee and he expressed the
hope that he might live to see that
system re-established to prevent du-
plication and triplication of work by
several cabinet organizations.
His closing plea was for the nom
meddling of America in European af-
fairs. He paid sincerest tribute to his
friends and opponents of his lighting