Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-02
AM Aboprtl for tle oricnt


D ERHAPS in it's zeal The Times Dispatch
i has been just trife too severe in its
structures on Congress-; perhaps, after all.
Congress is not the obstructionst. do-noth-
ing. short-sightcd aggregation of peoples
representatives that the people themselves.
in utter WEAKNESS and disgust. have dubbed
It. but. on the contrary, is made up OF hard
working public servants constantly busy
at their thankless tasks and worthy the
sympathy and even more material tokens Of
appreciation than they are accustomed in
these postwar days to receive.
Thought that this may be true is given
birth by u letter aud 4 check just received
from Frank 7. Norvelle. Richmond citi-
zen, who thinks beneath the surface of
things, vino knows that mundane affairs
generally, and congressional affairs, par
ticularly. are not always what they seem,
and that even the press may sometimes be
led 70 a false and unjust conclusion. The
letter says: Lets hand round the hat and
pay their expenses; l am handing you my
check for 81" And the check was inclosed.
Mr. Norvellc was aroused to this high pitch
OF patriotic generosity upon reading a re-
cent editorial in The Times-Disp pa tch
wherein American Senators and Represen
tatives, more than 100 of them, were taken
to task for their proposed indulgence in a
joyride to the Orient Mt the public ex-
pense. In fact. The Dispatch took
the matter rather seriously to heart. and,
in its role of defender OF the public veal.
considered it lis bounden duty to let the
people know that their duly elected repre-
sentatives in Washington were contemplate
ing al Oriental tour while the taxpayers
sweltered ut home throughout the hot sum-
mer and worked to pay the bills.
But Mr.. Norvelle looks deeper than did
The Times-Dispatch in it's hasty judgment,
or misjudgment, of these servants OF the
people, and his conclusion is the more pro-
found. Certainly it is the more convinc-
ing since he backs 1t UP with the cash He
realizes how badly in need Of vacation
the congressman are. For many long
months they have labored, an hour or two
every day, some days, with nothing but
their week-ends, and an occasional vaca-
ton, OFF. They have wrestled with momen-
tous questions, without result, it Is true,
hut they have wrestled just the same They
have been misunderstood and jeered at by
tharkless, mistaken country that de-
manded something tangible and construc-
tive, and failed to understand that politics
is greater than peace treaties. They are
weary and worn with the ceaseless grind,
and ii they are to continue their invalu-
able services to the United States they must
have surcease from their mental labors.
That can be found in a jaunt TO the Orient,
their families and their retainers along,
and your Uncle Samuel paying the bills.
They deserve the trip, SO let them go.
Eut in one detail your Uncle Samuel is
niggardly. He asks each of the junketeers
10 put up SIS OF his own money Think
OF it. = crying shame, of course, and an
other demonstration OF the well-known in
gratitude Of republics. But Mr.. Norvelle
has found the way. Already he has made
his contribution and started the Grand
Congressional Oriental Vacation Fund"
How many other patriotic Americans will
follow his example? II they come forward
in sufficient number, the deserving Con-
gressmen. their families and their retainers.
make the trip free of cost, and free
also from the worries always attendant
upon the necessity of spending their own
money. Then. while regaining their men
ta rigor, they can, by giving hour or
two OF study to each of the nations OF the
cHete East, accumulate information that
will enable them to settle all Oriental ques-
tions in 4 jiffy. Also. since the East is
not effete as TO he bone dry, by closer
acquaintance with its liquid demons and
noting the effects. they will be better forti-
fed on their return to give further battle
TO It's kindred demon in America Sure, it's
worth it, Let them 60 at the public ex-
pcnse, and hats off to Mr.. Norvelle for his
generous inspiration.