Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-06-04
The senate IItNIIrjutc.;

T HE Senate has long resented the sug
gcstiun that il is the most exclusive
and tho most expensive club in the world
That body has hinchcd whenever unfeclnE
newspapers have remarked upon the num-
Der OF miliionHiroS within its membership.
the total wealth OF these mon WAS computed
and there were references 10 the magnif-
ccncc of Senators Offices, committee rooms.
private baths and other evidences of luxury
all OF ii as the expense OF the American
people.
y totally false impression has been given
the country regarding this the greatest
deliboratvo body in the world" Senators
have asserted. and they have felt that they
have been made the victims OF unjust and
disparnging comment. More than one mem
Der in the course OF the last few years has
risen in his place 10 denounce the detractors
Of the Senate and the maliEncrs of its fair
name. They have argued with impassioncd
speech that tho Senate is not only the bull
wark o: the nations liberties. but that ii
proceeds with its vast and vital labors with
a simplicity that is 100 per cent American.
Just how the Senate. however. is able TO
reconcile this much-advertised simplicity
with its latest enterprise in the direction of
luxury. is past understanding. Under its
new Republican leadership, tho Senate first
OF all closed its reception room against all
visitors. II barred its doors and forced
callers to remain in the corridors. If a SEN
ator chose TO emerge from the sacred pre-
cincts within. TO I've interviewed by a CON
sttucnt all right If not, tho constituent
could 70 his way.
Now this body OF simple Americans has
established on the north purtico. adjoining
the closed rcccption-room. n beautifully APP
pointed tcaroom. a sort OF roof garden. a bit
removed from the roof but otherwise the
same. between Corinthian columns immac-
uatcly covered tables are placed. Dusky
servants glide noisclcssly over the marble
floor with glasses filed with clinking ice
and with platters of inviting salads. Electric
pcrcolators have been provided for the cof-
fee drinkers.
y hot summer is expected. also long
OF the Senate is difficult to keep cool when
the sun beats down upon the great Capitol
building But outside there are. gentle
brcczos, n beautiful vista Of swaying tree
tops and green turf and Senators feel that
they are entitled TO all the comforts which
somebody clso's money can provide while
lating for the dear people
This new adjunct TO tho Senate chamber
is reserved rigidly for members of the SEN
ate. Not even the admrng wives OF the
statesmen may be admitted Folks from
home, of course. are excluded. The enter
prise would not be a success if it did not
provide absolute privacy for the lawmakers
Much importan, work is TO be done in the
pf Tho now
The present leaders OF the Senate. it may
b" recalled, recently rcopencd the gorgeous
marble baths in the Senate Office building
lh"y had been closed for many years. But
through an inadvertence. the fact that the
baths were once more to he used leaked
INTO the newspapers, and there was great
agitation among Senators, who FASTENED to
rcassurc ihc country that the baths were
not TO be operated at public expense