The New York herald., 1921-06-05


Washington. ID. C., June 4.
THERE are 122 baby" members of the
House of Representatives of the
SiXty-seventh Congress-fellows who
came to Washington to save the nation and
reform it. They are Just learning there's
difference between Pennsylvania avenue and
Main street back home: that possibly
justifiable strut along the latter thorough
fare becomes merely a laughter producing
soosestep here in Washington
The national capital has been accustomed
TO new Congressman since the seat of Gov
ernment was established. Except in dress
the type has changed but little through the
years-and certain of the rookie members
to-day dress in the long coats and wide
hats of the statesmen of a generation ago
What does new member of Congress do?
How does he act? How does he feel? What
influence, if any, does he have and what of
his disillusionment?
It's rather sorrowful story, my country
men, and there'll be no denial of it if these
baby members" really take a true inventory
of themselves and their feelings as this
New Members on Arrival
Expect to Be Interviewed
Some years ago a new member of Con-
gress came to Washington from one of the
Western States For the purposes of this
story his name will be Representative Junius
p. Bunnymede. The home town band had
accompanied him to the depot when he
started for Washington and craftsmanship
Admring constituents gave him assign
ments and missions to perform. Washing
ton would take notice when this chap
rived, they opined. They foresaw one side
of Pennsylvania avenue tipping up he
walked down the other side.
Arriving at the capital, Mr.. Bunnymede
proceeded promptly to a hotel He had
observed that from time to time members
of Congress were interviewed in the news
papers. and he was almost bursting to say
something on the issues of the day. Quickly
he consulted a telephone directory and
called up the managing editor of one of
the Washington newspapers.
Now it so happened that this editor
hard boiled sort of man. incidentally his
father many years before had been a mem
Der of Congress, and he knew both the news
paper and legislative games. Substantially
this conversation ensued
"Is this the editor? 1t is? Well. l am
Congressman Junus p Bunnymede OF -.
| have Just arrived and am now at my hotel
] will submit to an interview if you will
send one of your reporters or correspondents
over to my room"
II guess you are one of these new men,
bers of Congress-" suggested the managing
editor Mr.. Bunnymede admitted it.
We'll. lemme tell you something replied
the editor. You stay around this town
little while and you'll probably come to the
conclusion that you amount to about as
much as a htchlng post. Let me know
when you wake up"
Representative Bunnymede was never in
tervewed except for local consumption back
home. His constituents retired him at the
end OF two years because he had put through
none OF the reforms he had promised
Probably the new member of Congress
isn't as unmportant as this editor pictured
overdrawn presentment is a fair index of the
ultimate dsillusionment of the average new
member.
Each lot of rookie" legislators is about
as green as the preceding. Experiences are
substantially the same: heartaches about
tho same, and shattered ambitions likewise.
The new member goes up against a game
here about which he knows little or nothing.
II is different from ward politics and his
encounters i'm State, county and municipal
affairs. The veterans arc in the saddle:
they know and frame the rules of legisla-
tive procedure; they dislike a youngster who
demands hand in things. and they try to
teach him his place IL he does not subscribe,
at least for reasonable time to the theory
that new members should be seen and not
heard.
Most New Members Begin
BY Antsgonizing Their Predecessors
Almost every new member has defeated
some old timer. He has done this by promis-