Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-06
New Men In'Congress
by Frederlc j. HaslsIn

Washington. July 6.--The sixty
Seventh Congress in now three months
old SO far as it's active work Is con-
eerned. New members to the number
of iae--a record crop of baby" Con.
gressmon--are by now well started on
the road To the knowledge that there
is tremendous difference between
the state Street back home and Penn
sylvania avenue in Washington. Their
Importance in their own eyes has
steadily shrunk since their advent
there. They have. not reformed the
Government, restored Iiherty Bonds
10 par, shaken the Capitol dome with
fiery oratory, or accomplished any
other OF their many dreams. One
excellent reason is that the Congress
sional system does not permit 1t, and
they have not had a chance.
A famous New York editor. when
asked some years ago what compen-
sation Senator received, replied
Five thousand dollars a year and
the privilege of membership in the
greatest club in the world" House
membership has never been defined
so concisely. IL might we'll be COM
pared to the public schools of Eng
land The new boy has 10 go through
many soul crushing experiences be-
fore he finds his proper level.
Trace the career of new member.
He has come successfully through a
hot campaign on top of successful
primary light. He is the bis man
Of his community. The fates have
hss
slbility of leaping TO the quarterback
Of the Ship of State. wrestling the
wheel from the incompetent hands
which have held it, and guiding the
vessel safely away from the perilous
shoals which threaten.
The President has called a special
session of Congress. The rookie, who
ordinarily would hask in the sunshine
Of hometown adulation for more
than a year before coming to Wash
ington. packs up his belongings and
prepares TO go to the Capital to put
the Government on its feet again.
On the Way TO Glory.
The boys parade to the station,
bearing their standard aloft on their
shoulders. Banners and n hsass band
go before. and worshipping con-
stituents follow. He makes a speech
the last one he viii make for many
months. He is wildly chered. and is
presented with a floral horseshoe. paid
for Jointly by the John q. Smith
Marching Club, the Volunteer Fire
Department and the gentleman who
expects TO be appointed postmaster.
The trip to Washington endures
too long for this statesman 10 keep
his identity secret. In the smoking
room or the dining car he finds oc-
casion 10 tell one or more-prefer-
ably more-of his casual train ac-
quaintances that he is a Member Of
Congress on h1s way to Washington.
Polite interest is aroused. Perhaps
he is told what Congress ought 70 do
about the tariff. and certainly he gets
a lot of advice about taxes from gen
tlemen whose only knowledge of tax
a1ion is what they have to pay on the
fifteenth day Of March each year, and
quarterly thereafter.
The prideful young man alights at
the Union Station in Washington.
With a lordly air he indicates 10 an
approaching Red Cap porter that he
will permit him to carry his bag. The
porter appears to b. making for him
respect and slIbservience evident on
his ebony features. He goes right on
by, though. ard eigerly snatches two
suit cases from q fat shoe drummer
who makes Washington twice
month, and is always good for a
quarter tip. This is the first tiny
pin-prick in the balloon of pride.
Eventually securing a porter our