Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-12
The Tea Party Lobby.
Ry Fredcric J. naskin


Washington. May IA propaganda
which has for its purpose to make |
somc % the sessions Of Congress social /
"ceasions Of the first Importance, to
WI the gaileries with beautiful women,
uet the splendid terraces of the Capitol 1
With tea tables. and generally tighten
and heautify the monotonous business
OF passing laws by encouraging the /
iar scx 10 take an interest in it. has
Just been initiated here by Harry VII
son Walker. well known both as a
journalist and politician.
10 is understood that Mr. Walker is
backed In his campaign for social at
mosphcrc in Congress by certain
wealthy Congressman. who chooses TO
remain for the time being anonymous.
and that great interest has been awak-
cned in social circles The ladies are
said 70 take 10 tho idea with relish.
II may Seem 90 YOU that this IS not
project of tho first Importance. but
that Is because you have not talked to
Mir Walker about it. lie claims that
tho stimulus of feminine beauty in the
gallcries Is just what Congress needs;
that the realization Of his project will
make the Congressional Record more
Interesting viii raise the level Of debate
and speed the dispatch Of business.
Many have noticed that Congress
scems 20 exist in perpetual state or
ltthsrgy II ls hard 70 gahter a quorum
tpr the transaction OF business. When
thr bcll rings for roll call, the MEM
hors respond slowly. reluctantly. and
with Navus Debate tends to bc vol
unanimous rather than spirited. The
typical member of Congress is slow in
~tarting speech. but when once no
scts under way he seems TO be the
Ntetim OF a sort Of echolalia. Words
ruil out OF him in an endless monoto-
nous stream 20 the rhythm Of snores
from hts colleagues. In the gallery
few tourists from a rubberneck wagon
look on Alphabetically and wonder when
those scenes Of animation which they
have read about in their school books
,,tl take place The reporter asleep in
the press gallery knows that such
-.,ucs are extremely rarv. and that
ths5 are characterized by chaos rather
th3u hy brillance.
4 stimulus for Congress.
air Walker is not responsible for
thls 81. turc ~ Congress in action. but
D., does say that what Congress needs is
a tonic. sumuant
what are tho time honorcd slim
ulauts 81 mortal man? Certainly woman
stands FIRST among these Wine. Of
course. has been regarded as a stim-
ulant IN the past. but now Il is abolish
ed especially from the Halls of Con-
srrss. For how could a Congressman
who had voted dry take drink: II is
uuthiukabl,
Mu~.. ALSO famous quickcncr off
tH. utcntt processes u has recently
a-,d - j therapeutic In insane
lpn~ and 3s j means of preventing
rl4ltnN u rruItcntarics Why should
81 8. 'f1.a
lAtors might DO a better days work II
they hesau each morning. like school
hsidicu. by singing Columbia. the
Ceu 80 M, Octan. or My Country
o Thee Igut here again difficulties
e .n,ouutcrcd Authorities have cN-
IeeSsrd doubt whether there IS enough
uas.,al talent in the House and SEN
combined 20 carry tune
There remain the ladies' There IS
III such thing as a CONGRESSMAN who
Is not responsive 10 feminine beauty.
THAT i gallery Of beautifully gowned
women would be provocative Of bet
ter speeches is a fact too obvious TO
need detailed consideration, especially
DO view Of the fact that the ladies would
y, voters as we'll as charmers. Then.
.oo women now sit III Congress, and
K +. natural that they should wish 10
N r,urcs,ntcd in the galleries as we'll
Finally. there IS abundant precedent
.Dt tho custom. In nearly all civilized
auutries, there is more social atmos-
th.rc about parliamentary proceedings
imam tn this country. Society attends
.sou the English House of Commons on
..rtain occasions as ii does also upon
NJ, French Chamber of Deputies. And
those who are averse 10 following
Ior.ru pr,,cdcnts can tind one nearer
home, There was a time when Albany
.,a- .n, of the great social centers Of
NtI..1.a. and when the meeting OF the
Ntu York state Legislature was
-o.Ii. occasion 81 great hriliiance Nor
3 = 81 RECORD that the quality by either
t the legislators ~ 81 the legislation
.as improved sine, then.
Again. the beginnings Of a connec-
.lou between society and our National
.soNcrnmeut have already been made
a,r. ia Washington. since former
resident Wilson inaugurated the Gus
.Dr. 81 reading presidential messages
Y, congress there has been a growing
.rndcncy for society 10 attend the read
uae and the new administration has
shown at increase in that tendency.
These message days have lent 10 our
.u4rt- sl,+t ed. prespiring Congress a
.ouch al The dignity and splendor which
surely the Legislature OF a great na-
.loI euNAiQ nav.
A. Walker does not claim that MS
d,n IS either new or original. IN TACT
), teaIs the fact that II originated
.Aav back in rhe nineties in the brain Of
CuneIcssman who had the distinc-
Ion uf being the only Snowman who
.tcr sat iu tho Congress Of the United
states.
Harry Miner was a theater owner OF
-sN York whom no doubt many readers
\ This viii remember. ThSN may re-
member also that ne defeated the
arnous Tim Campbell for a seat in
congress Campbell Is the man who
himself by his reply 10
resident Cleveland when the latter
blc,ted to some plan Of Mr. CampbelIs
+ ths ground that j was against the
constitution.
bot what IS the Constitution be-
s. zen friends. Mr.. President inquired
ina. And his words go echoing down
ia years gaining significance as they
q.
- ~ rate. Mr.. Campbells career in
'ougrcss came o. an end when A1r.
liner ran against him. Ills defeat is
aid 10 have been due primarily 10 the
act that he was seen lunching with
~ British Ambassstd0t
Many wondered al the time why the