The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-08-25

the person look
IKEA WI ing down as well
as that of a mem.
Der who Is on the floor.
\ On that trip a member friend took
.TDe In to see the late speaker, Champ
Clark. II was In the beginning of the
saEpat war. My friend said to Mi. Clark
t$Mr. Hardy has come down to Wash.
i&ton TO see what we are doing" Mr..
IUark replied In his characteristic
fwayI III he can find out, I hope to
God he win Let me know" And 1t is
ever so. we are all seeking information
about the congress-. even the speaker
az the house sometimes.
We have got to start from some
ehat you have come to my Office In the
house Office building. Every man who
comes to Washington should call on
Yhis congressman. The representatives
are always glad to see folks from back
0ouas; especially 80 are the members
From the West, Some members from
/ nearby states have more callers than
they can well take care of.
( The house Office building 10 a fine
structure, built Of marble. It has 40
once and committee rooms in 1t. Each
\ xuaznber 10 entitled to an, on1cc room.
II he Ia chairman Of a committee no
4 Huts two, sometimes. The building
covers a Large block Of ground with
Sxasscovered court In the center.
There are i've floors and basement
( Ii h a mile walk around the corridors
ON the four sides Of the FIVE floors.
Through the Tunnel to the Capitol.
I After we have had uttls visit wiN
take you over to the capitol. You
have already seen that magnificent
10tlding from the outside and will see
& many times before you leave the
city, 80 we will go over underground,
tunnel. which Is large. we'll lighted
and spacious runs for about two
blocks, I should think. BY the use Of
af member can go back and forth In
winter or hot summer time and dur.
ing bad weather without putting his
hat on, II he wishes. 1t isn't used
mnch In good weather. Over on the
senate side through similar tunnel
n little electric car system carries the |
senators back and forth between their |
office building and the capitol but |
the representatives of the people have |
90 walk.
Aruixtns at the capitol, we will go
L. 4
the house for a while
- Won Will be disappointed at first by
she small number of members present.
NvFy member doesn't sit In his seat
all the time every day. If he did, he
wuuBd not be able to keep up with his
office business, and besides that, he
would grow nutty. Much Of the time
Tsx spent IN general debate, and much
Of the debate Is very general. SO when
4 definite time has been set for general
hours being the usual
time, though It may be IL hours some
fimes-a member not interested can
safeaJ get up and go to his Office, or
visit 0ut In the cloak rooms for q
while. During general debate 1t often
Happens that not more than Is or 100
members are in their seats. After
while some one Will probably call for
n quorum, and then we will see the
house Ill up with members, as most
Of them like to answer as many roll
calls as possible
We will sit here in the gallery for
q while. This Is a historic old room.
NJ has been occupied since 1857, so 1t
mas seen much history made. 1t used
60 have desks IN 1t, but when the num-
Der of representatives was last In
creased the desks were taken out end
Main comfortable rows of seats put in.
A member has no special seat. he
may sit anywhere he pleases. The
Democrats sit on one side and the Re
publicans on the other.
Speaker GliIett Presiding.
The mace Is in its place, so we know
that the house is In session. II 1t
were In committee of the whole, the
mace would be resting on the floor.
The mace is the symbol of the speak
ex's authority and 1t has been doing
Srty ever since the American congress
waz organized.
The speaker Is In the chair, behind
N ine-carved marble desk. Mr.. Gil
Iert makes an excellent speaker In this
modern day Of great freedom In the
house. He is fair and nonpartisan.
He lets the house run itself, merely
acting as its presiding officer. He Is
seventy-one years Of age and has
served In the house 20 years. He comes