Evening star., 1923-03-04

Out the lcU6t duo oT6&QIu
of the land as "Uncle joe" il leaving
Congress today. having broken tho
long distance record for membership,
with a mark which probably never
will be equaled. He has served forty
six years. through most troublous
days. and is loved best today by
those who fought him most bitterly
in the days Of so-called "Cannonism"
and Cannon "czarism.'
He went on the appropriations COM
mittee forty-four years ago and has
been a member continuously ever
since, except for four years, when
he was not in Congress, and eight
years while he was Speaker. For
Ten years he was chairman OF the
appropriations committee.
X X X x
CANNON was Speaker in the days
~ when the Speaker was boss, being
such q Speaker as were Reed. Car
isle. Crisp, Blaine and the other
great leaders who have occupied
that chair. But although assailed as
"czar," Speaker Cannon was really
less of a boss than any OF his pred
ecessors. All the previous Speakers
had made up the list of committees
themselves. In his organization Of
the House Speaker Cannon sent for
John Sharp Williams, then demo-
cratic leader of the House and later
senator. and said to him:
Williams. you're boss of your side.
believe in a contest the leader
should control his organization. ]
wish you'd make up the democratic
side of the committee lists. Two
made up the proportion according to
the majority and minority strength.
I'll make up the majority side ano
YOU make up the minority side, and
I'll incorporate your list with mine.
I'll make only two conditions
first geographical. If I find II neces-
sary to put a republican on any COM
mittee from state which ought to
have only one member. I'll not let you
also assign a democrat from the same
state. Second I'll have to ask you to
do what I will do myself. refrain
from appointing new members to the
rivers and harbors committee from
districts where they have big new
projects under consideration. or to
the naval committee where they are
trying to get new navy yards"
williams agreed that that was mot
only fair, but most generous propo-
sition." and yet it was out OF this ar
rangement that the furor against
"Cannonism'' and ''czarism' developed.
Williams did not give several of the
old democrats the committee places
they wanted. For example, Repre-
sentative Shackleford of Missouri
wanted d place on interstate and for
cign commerce. Shackleford made
speech in the House against the "czar-
ism of the Speaker and that was the
first note of rebellion.
x X x x
ssT INCLE JOE'S" first speech in the
~ House has been written into
history as "the hayseed speech" but
il really resulted in revision Of the
postal code. establishing the pound
rate of paying postage on second
class mail matter.
The postage on newspapers pre-
viously had to be paid by the sub
scriber and collected by the post
master making the delivery. Under
the legislation put through by Cannon
the postage had to be paid at the Of
fee of publication at pound rate.
While making his maiden speech"
Representative Cannon was inter-
rupted by Representative William
Walter Phelps of New Jersey, who
said: THE gentleman seems to have
oats in his pocket"
"Yes." promptly replied Cannon.
"and hayseed in his hair. and that's
the style of most of my constituents.
7 hope that both are good seed and
will grow good crops here in the
east
Mr.. Cannon was making plea for
the country press, because the city
press had been attacking the bill.
Mr.. CANNON, who is one of the
WI most generous of men in ex-
penditures for his family, seems to
have a grudge against himself when
II comes to personal outlay. He is
notoriously tight wad" regarding
himself, close as the proverbial bark
on the tree.
II fell out that he was wearing an
overcoat which had seen too many years
of service. His daughter expostulated
with him. mildly at first. then insist
emily, and finally emphatfcally. until he
consented to go to clothing store and
select an overcoat. He wouldn't think
Of letting any one else pick it out. That
would not be in accordance with his in
dependence
The salesman showed him a coat
which he fancied and which fit him to
his easy-going satisfaction.
How much?" was Uncle Joe's eau
ttous and suspicious question.
"Only $685." was the reply.
Up in the air he went. 'sWhy," he
cried, 'T never paid more than $50 for
coat in my life" and he took the gar
ment off, going out of the store ripping
and snorting at profiteers.
He duly reported the incident at
home, still indignant. His daughter
sootnfngly said. well, you 60 back to-
morrow and see Mr.. So. and So. and he
w1r1 give you $50 coat" Meantime she
arranged that the salesman mentioned
should fit him with a suitable coat and
price it at $50, and she would pay the
balance. He did so, supplying him with
the $85 coat.
Next day Uncle Joe breezed into the
Capitol and bumped into q fellow men,
ber.
Hello, Uncle Joe; you have a new
coat?"
Eyes. it's all right"
''How much did you pay for it?'
'-Thirty dollars. and that was enough"
..I,ll rive Won $40 for II right now"