The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-09-15

big pay, bright lights, much society
I suppose I used to think so. I hal
seen the Legislature at work, and nat
uraIly supposed that such an impor
tant body as the congress would no
work more continuously than does I
state legislature. / had never seer
much Of the eastern part Of the coup
try, and when I came down here
found myself planning little weekend
trips to New York. Atlantic City, NeS
England and nearby places
But I had another guess coming
The congress takes mighty few week
and recesses.
In olden times, a few years ago IN
tact, the congress was In session, more
or less leisurely, for about half the
year. The members could spend a
good deal Of time back home where
congressman are not 80 numerous and
where their official title cuts more ice
than 1t does here In Washington. But
during the past six or seven years the
congress has been In almost continu-
ous session. The war. Of course,
NQCW a DkH COI61CcS dAo
brought about the extra long sessions.
The talk here would indicate that for
q long time to come a member will
spend most Of his time In Washington.
The house meets every day at twelve
O'Clock noon and continues In session
usually until Ave or six O'Clock at
might, and some times later. 1t meets
usually every day except Sunday. It
observes few legal holidays and has
eaksn only short recess at Christmas
times
When the house Ia In session q mem
her rarely leaves the hill. He may
not sits in the house all the time, but
he sticks around nearby 70 a. to be on
hand II quorum 10 needed or a vote
taken.
He gets hin lunch Whenever no cnn.
There Is restaurant In the capitol |
and In the house Office building. and he
usually eats Aurrtedly in one q these
when he finds a SLACK time. Mems
tastes In lunches vary everywhere, but
have observed that members are usu-
ally Hight eaters at lunch time The
speaker and several other men Of my
acquaintance always take a pint bot:
s1e/of milk and eat 1t In bowl with
crackers or bread. This may be fol-
lowed by ice cream. pie or some sim
pie dessert.
Hard Work in Committees.
II member had nothing else to do
but to attend sessions Of the house and
give some study, thought and consid-
Grafton to the big problems before con-
gress he would find himself quite we'll
occupied. But that Is only half of the
work-perhaps not half. Much Of the
business Of congress is conducted In
committees.
Every bill Is first considered in q
committee, and sometimes committee
spends weeks or months holding hear
ngs and considering a single bill.
This was true of the revenue, tariff,
Ionus, immigration, educational, pro-
libition enforcement, appropriation
md other big bills. Some committees c
meet every day for weeks at a time, L
nd others at less frequent intervals.
usually meet at ten o'clock 9
the morning. Sometimes they go on I
working while the house Is In session a
nd sometimes they meet at night. h
Some members have very hard COM r
littee work and some are more or less
as they choose to look at 1t.
. rule, every committee wants to 1,
onsider every bill that can possibly
e referred to 1t. and almost every a
,ember is anxious to get on the most O.
Important and hardest working COM 1,
,ittees. o.
Then there Is the Office work. The q
iail brings lots Of Office work. The s,
fice and departmental work alone q,
'ould keep man fairly busy all Of a
ne time If he worked union hours. Il
Much Business With Departments
The practice has grown up for many d
eople to write their congressman d
bout their business with the various n
ct a great deal more Of this class OF pi
ork to do than do the members from II
lie East and South. The public land 10
acts furnish much business that
ust be looked after at the general 81
nd Office During the week MEM W
Or is apt to have business before the Ell
Iterior department, the forestry serv- 81
e, the pension bureau, the veterans Oh
Ireau and the Post Office depart 70
emit. And he may have an immigra- OF
on case before the Labor department ci
passport case before the Department al
State, some business In some branch e'
the Agriculture department, and al az
ost anything else before any other ca
lreau or department in Washington. Ju
A member never considers the ques- Ia
ID of official duty. If 1t is something ra
at can properly be done, and con- IN
ttuent back home wants 1t done, he III
,es and does 1t. And he Is glad to do
for ii makes him a friend back
'me. But it all takes time and helps
make his day full day. 81