, 1922-05-30

during tho past three years. aud
while acting as representative of the
enlisted men of the navy before con
the privilege of the writer TO inter
view Congressman Frank w. Mondell.
Of Wyoming. many. many times on
matters pertaining to the men in the
navy. There is n vast difference be-
tween long distance observation and
personal contact. Opinions formed by
long distance observation mean opin-
ions formed via periodicals and hear
say, more OF less unreliable and un-
satisfactory. Personal contact gives
NJ an insight into the character of an
individual. such insight cannot be OBJ
tanned through long distance observa-
ton. Mr.. Mondell. in most cases, has
been Judged by the personnel in h
military service through the long dis
lance method individuals in the
navy. on account of the nature Of
their duties. must use TIE long dis
lance method. This method in judg-
ing the actions of Mr.. Mondell on mill
itary questions has been SO misleading
and wholly unfair that the writer m
sidered 1t a simple act of Justice to
acquaint the service with the splendid
and unselfish attitude of Mr.. Mondell
toward the services.
It must be understood that Mr.. Mon
dell. in his position of leader of the
majority in the house and also as
chairman Of the steering committee.
each an every bill coming up before
th- AN,,~o 80 49,. Il .,.r
separate the good from the bad and
when n considers the great number
OF bills introduced in the house. the
enormity OF his ask may be realized.
II the writer were asked to state in a
few words the type of a man he con-
siders Mr.. Mondell TO be. he would
sum up as follows: Honorable as they
make them, conscientious to the core.
a leader of men possessing exceptional
ability, and, above all. a man of his
word. Once convince him that n bill
presented before the house contains
provisions hat are just, and he is for
that bill to the finish. I may relate
the following incident that bears out
this statement. In 1919, hearings were
held on,a bill to increase the pay of
the personnel in the a Mr.. Mon
dell. knowing 1t was necessary for con
gress to practice economy to place the
country on n sane business basis, de.
clared on the hoo OF the house that
while he considered 1t necessary to ad'
just the pay of n personnel in the
military service, he did not believe
that such an adjustment should be un
dertaken until all appropriations for
the coming fiscal year had been com
puted. enabling the house to ascertain
the condition OF the treasury. Imme
diately after he had completed his
speech. h writer called on Mr. Mon
dell and informed him of the condi
tons under which the enlisted mer
in the navy were serving and the con
dition of their dependents owing to in
adequate pay. This interview LASTED
over an hour. Mr.. Mondell going into
the subject thoroughly. At the end
of the interview. he informed the wri
ter that he was convinced that the
men in the navy should be given an in
crease in pay that would enable their
He stated that he would Immediately
take steps to get the bill for an in
crease in pay before the house at the
cdtucoA pOrolpit udIe- 1neTe arr
many congressman who would have
been loath Z inform the house they
had changed their views on the ad
1ustment Of pay. But not so with Mr.
Mondel. BE was convinced hat ar
increase in pay was just and neces
sary and Immediately got behind ant
boosted the increase in pay for the en-
listed men. Mr.. Mondell has aleray,
been on the side of right AMI always
will be on that side. He is well aware
of the fact that many are trying Il
dip into the treasury and IL he wcrt
to approve of bills without thorough
Investigation, the taxpayers would. b,
dishing out about half Of their wage.
for taxes. MI. Mondeil is The right
nan in the right place. He has n lis
job and when one has a big job their
is always a bunch barking at one
heels. The barking comes from, these
can only aee their own Ede q