The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-12-25
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald)

Washington, Dec. 24-Recess Of
Congress over the Holidays brings out
some interesting situations. One OF
the most noteworthy developments
has been the lessening of the distance
between the White House and the
Capitol Measured with yardstick,
the distance is approximately one
mile but circumstances contributing
factor to this harmony has been the
humble pancake. 1t is generally
agreed that the series of early break
fasts with the President has done
more to formulate legislative policies
than any one thing.
1t is not an everyday affair for a
man to eat fapjacks with the Presi-
dent of the United States. The novel
ty appeals to the vanity of normal
men. Even Senators and Congress
men whose ideas of their exhalted
positions often sway their judgment
consider an invitation great honor.
The fact that they are signaled out
for this attention sets the average leg
islator temporarily apart from his as
sociates. He likes to appear in the
role of counsellor to the Chief Ex-
ecutive to the Nation.
However, there is mutual advan-
tage in meetings of this sort. These
intimate conversations have a ten
dency to impart great fexibility to
the mind Of Mr.. Coolidge as it gives
him acquaintance with a wide range
of opinion and frees him from iso-
lated thought. On the other hand,
the conversation during and after
breakfast enriches the understanding
of Senators and Congressman as to
the opinions and problems of the
President.
Oldtimers have likened these break
fast chats to the conference of form
err Speaker Joe Cannon and former
Senator Aldridge in the days when
these two men controlled the destin-
les of the Senate and House. 1t is
said that more legislation was shaped
by the leaders while throwing pebbles
into the Potomac than was ever draft
ed in party caucus.
When Senators nowadays are in
vited to break bread with the Presi-
lent they know that they will be ex-
oected to discuss affairs of State. The
criticism of these meetings heard in
he drawing-rooms of late indicates
hat the President has the psycholog-
cal advantage over his visitors. 1t is
argued that Senators and Congress
men whose grumblings fill pages of |
he Congressional Record each day in
yariably change their attitude after
he White House chat. The age-old |
heory is advanced that a well-fed |
nan is more amiable and thus more
receptive to suggestion. Then too,
hey discover that rumors which irri-
ate them at the Capitol are often
with the truth learned at |
he White House. A better under
landing is reached in these meetings
because there is no humiliation for
he President or the legislators in
privately admitting errors of judg-
nent. It is form of craftsmanship |
which is leaving it's mark on Congress.
The Senate and House will be hard
'ressed for time when they return
lext week. The House has made |
ONE progress Of the appropriation
ill for the Federal departments.
,hese bills WIFI eventually be present
d to the Senate but several other
naLOefS are now penQlng In CnlS
'ody. They must dispose of Muscle
shoals, the Isle of Pines treaty and |
he Postal Salary veto before taking
lp fiscal measures.
Under an agreement reached by /
he Senate final vote will be taken |
N the postal pay veto january 6. |
administration supporters claim that |
hey have mustered sufficient votes to |
ustain the veto. The parliamentary |
ituation concerning the salary raise |
n postal rates has been so compli-
lated that there is little likelihood Of |
my measure of this character pass
ng at this session.
Committee chairman have passed |
he word to members of the Senate |
Ind House to conserve their energies |,
which would be expended in advocat-
ng various legislative measures. The
of both Houses is so crowd
ID that it precludes consideration of |
measures of a minor character before |
he final adjournment on March a.