, 1923-01-11
BY I. w. DINSMORE

tur0. nothing else ike II even IN
Casper. 1t occupies q vast amount
of space, but still more in the
thousands of guide books sold at
every turn in the city. The main
corridor in the basement is the long
the guide exactly 751 feet and 4
inches. No one l am sure Is going
to dispute this point. Speaking of
1t in janitorial terms 1t must seem
six miles to the night porter who is
charged with the tender duty of
scrubbing 1t.
At one end OF the capitol building
is the Senate wing. and at the other
the House of Representatives. These
two halls are used for recreation
purposes. They have developed
more loud voices and strong lungs
than any other institution in the
world. They are also used as sleep
ing quarters for the members whose
social engagements keep them from
rest during the night.
In the House debate is limited, and
If a member might wish to talk sew
eral hours regarding the advantage
of an English Tar over a American
Sailor in discussing the Ship Sub
sidy Bill, he is forced to sit down
after saying a mere ten thousand
words. and give some other repre-
are so many Representatives who de-
sire mention in the Congressional
Record, which is sent back home,
that it would not be fair to have one
member grab off toe much time. In
the Senate this is different. The
length OF a speech is proportional to
the Senator's physical endurance.
They can go as far as they like. Only
1t is considered a bit ungraciOus to
speak too loud, as the preSiding Of
ficer gets his sleep during the day
while acting as presiding officer, and
no Senator with n consideration
for a presiding officers feelings
would wake him up. La Toilette is
the only Senator I have heard who
cares nothing for a%nyone's feelings,
and can talk louder to a bunch of
vacant seats than most men could to
a crowded house. His vision OF a
third party carries him to any length.
As I have implied, during such
speeches the Senate Chamber is
practically deserted. Now and then
n Senator will stroll in and look at
the gallery to see II the crowd is
sufficiently large to warrant his re-
iihiht Al lie stdl. IL Aol hc COu-
tents himself by merely walking
around the hall a few times and
then retires for another smoke.
This naturally brings up the Ques-
ton, where is the work of Congress
done? 1t is done in the committee
rooms where nearly all legislation is
shaped and discussed. When a bill
is presented to either branch of the
Congress, 1t is Immediately referred
to the proper committee. This
group considers 1t very thoroughly
from all angles. They hold hear
ings and call expert witnesses in
many cases. When they have fin
ished with 1t the bill is reported back
to their body with recommendations.
When one hears of a bill dying in
committee II means that they failed
to take action on 1t. During my
short experience l have observed that
the less you see of a Senator in the
Senate Chamber. the more work he
is probably doing in the committee
room.
The majority of the committees
OF the Senate have suites in the
Capitol Building proper while 9TH
ers are housed in the Senate office
building. The rooms are large and
very handsomely decorated. In the
corridors the walls are adorned
with arabesques. allegorical figures,
birds and game. tracery OF vine and
foliage. Also notable scenes are de-
picted In the different committee
rooms, showing events OF American
history and portraits OF distinguished
men. The rooms Of the Appropria.
ton Committee. OF which Senator
Warren Is chairman, and where he
has his offices, are considered the
finest on the ground floor OF the
Capitol. Five frescoes (by Brumidi)
depict the Boston Massacre. the Bat.
tie o. Lexington. the Death of woos.
ter. Washington at Valley Forge
and the Storming OF Stony Point
Som OF the electric chandeliers IN
these rooms were formerly at the
White House.
A volume could be written abou,
tho Capitol building. II Is a treas
ury OF wonderful paintings ant
statutes. II has been the scene OF {
thousand events of great historica'
Significance. The Rotunda in thu
center OF the main building is ths
room to which one usually Gomez
first. II Ia IN immense circular hal
ninety-seven feet In diameter, while
above IL the top OF the inner shell O,
the dome rising to the height OF 1876
The walls OF the Rotunda are
adorned with eight celebrated paint
ings. having for their subject mem,
orable scenes In American History
Passing from tho Rotunda to the
House side n enters tho Nationa'
Statuary Hall. This was formerly ths
Hall OF Representatives. and the
scene OF many stirring debates b,
Webster. Calhoun. Clay and Adams
This has been set apart as a
National Statuary Hall to which
each state may send the statutes o,
two OF its distinguished citizens
More tina half tho states have re.
sponded and tho hail at present Ia,