The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-24
Washington Wig Ways
Signaled by Tiller
Copyright 1921. BY rh.odor. Tnlsr.)

A few nights ago Senator Henry II.
Ahsurst OF Arizona attended play
In Washington that was produced to
further the campaign for the abolition
of-capitaI punishment. 1t was q rather
narrowing sort of performance, with
a couple OF scenes laid In the electro
cution chamber, another in the "mur-
derers' row" of the prison and still
another In the warden's office. where
there was much talk of not having a
hitch in the electrocution. There were
other scenes, but they all had to do
with the awfulness OF capital punish
ment. and the propaganda play was
a wonder in it's line.
The play didn't seem to disturb SEN
ator Ashurst particularly. although
about him feminine members of the
audience were deploring such terrible
things and threatening to start home
before the death scene came off. Most
of them stayed through until the
alleged murderer, convicted on circum-
stantial evidence, Of course, was mirac-
ulously saved when lightning struck
the prison powerhouse and put the
electric chair out Of commission. Then
the governor OF the State dashed in
and said there would be no more CAPT
tai punishment so long as he was chief
executive.
AS Senator Ashurst walked out OF
the theater somebody asked him what
he thought about II.
"Qufte an interesting play, In a
way" said the Arizona Senator. WIN
used to be a lawyer ready either to
prosecute or defend criminals, but
can't say that it changes my views
particularly. Some years ago news.
paper out West offered prize Of 500
for the best essay on capital punish
ment, either for or against. l was one
OF the contestants, and though my
essay was the briefest of the hundred
submitted. j won the prize
Senator Ashurst paused, and the
expected question. What did you
say" was propounded. by the by
sta nder.
We'll" said Ashurst, II wrote just
q line and submitted the following:
There are not enough men
hanged"
Senator Ashurst thinks it was the
easiest money he ever made, although
he has done everything from COW
punching and clerking in a .-"cery
store to serving in the United states
Senate.
Some day when he retires ,voluntIr
NV from the senate, or ~ defeated
albeit he has never been dcfeatcd yet
Senator Ashurst viii be ,abled tc
write an unusually interesting hook
During the years he LAS been in Con
gress the Arizona Senator mas kept q
daily diary of whiic occurs in Washing
| ton, his impressions ut the time con
corning the events, AMI what brough,
about each Development in nationa
and information II affairs.
This diary carries everything TO re
| ports Of conversations Senator Ash lrs
has had with Presidents of the Uni
! ted States to descriptions of near
fist-fights in Congress. IT is as filth
! full a diary as that kept by a school
J girl who records everything from hel
| freshman to graduation year in q
boarding school. The AshCrst diar,
includes Senate and House deba ties
newspaper comment, accounts of po
iitical maneuvering, election returns
amusing colloquies, hun,bug speeches
the shattering OF legislative ambitions
false moves in public lie. deaths and
| funerals OF the nations great men, and
about everything one may see and beal
! in Washington.
! Senator Ashurst has no particular
object in keeping this diary. lie may