Evening star., 1921-01-22

Although 1T iS not generally known,
members of Congress have an en-
ployment agency all their own--where
they can get efficient. tested stenog-
raphers or secretaries without either
the member of the prospective en-
ploye having to pay one cent of COM
mission for the service. This service
has been established by NJ. w. PICKER
ing, who is in charge of the House
majority room, and who for fourteen
years has been of very great help 10
members of Congress, irrespective OF
party Affiliations. Hundreds of sec
retaries, clerks and stenographers'
secure employment each year wits
members of Congress through MT
Pickering's introduction.
The MANNED heroes of the world war
have also found Mr.. Pickering a ready
and capable friend. One day he was
sitting at his desk and heard the
measured tramp of a man in the
marble corridor outside. He stepped
to the door to offer him a chair, real
izing that he was waiting for some
member whose door was locked. Ee
found a veteran from Walter Reed
Hospital. both of whose hands had
been cut off at the wrist. The veteran
was waiting to see a congressman
secretary. who had promised to help
him get his discharge. Knowing that
the secretary was out of town for
few days, Mr.. Pickering offered to help
the MANNED soldier. Through the Of
flee of Representative Thompson of
Ohio he got immediate action on the
resealse. The young soldiers arm
stumps had healed and he had been
waiting more than six weeks to get
mechanical hands. while eating his
heart out with desire to get home to
see his mother. Mr.. Pickering took
this handless man to lunch in the
members dining room. The result
was that a number of the members,
including Representative Rucker of
Missouri, called on Mr.. Pickering, Of
fering any assistance in their power
The result was that this war hero
is now drawing $156 a month COM
pensation and is enjoying four
year college course. Recently Mr..
Pickering was again at his desk and
heard the tap of several pairs of
crutches in the marble corridor. 1t
proved to be a delegation from Wal
ter Reed of disabled men. who waived
aside his offer to do something for
them, but said their own object in
calling was to express appreciation
because. he had been 30 kind to their
buddy. -
Representative w A. Rodenberg of
Illinois sat down the other day and
figured out just what "Uncde Joe"
Cannon stands for as landmark
in the country's development. He
finds that since Representative Can
non came to Congress for the first
time in 1872 the following have hap
pened:
600. 900.
From thirty seven states to forty
eight.
5000. 900, ,000. 900.
From sc. 900 miles Of railroad track
to 26S.000.
From Initiation of post card serv-
ice to airship mail.
From s23.ooo,ooo in postal receipts
one-haif Of all t,e members of
Congress born while he has been in
Congress.
All of his colleagues in the early
Congresses dead except Gen. Isaac
r. Sherwood.
sides being Speaker himself for eight
years.
Served under ten Presidents.
Took leading part in readjustment
following three wars.
Helped to establish the civil serv-
ice.
Saw three of the eighteen amend
ments to the Constitution adopted.
Saw three new executive depart
ments created.
Saw Panama canal built through
legislation he helped to pass.
Rev. Henry n. Couden. the blind
chaplain of the House. who has just
retired. served quarter of CEN
tury. He says no one ever objected
to any of his PRAYERS except Speaker
Gillett. who thought he was praying
for ''the" league of nations when he
prayed for "a" league of nations. He
thinks Representative James r. Mann