Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-26
Capital Sidelights


Nation messages of Christmas cheer
and good feeling have gone into every
city, village and hamlet throughout
this broad land.
Employees around the Capitol are
untustly accused of being patronage
idlers, but there is one small group
that is heaving signs of relief today
after very strenuous and arduous,
extra-hours. exacting labor. These
are the men under the leadership of
Frank w. Collier, postmaster of the
House. who have been handling the
Christmas mail to and from the 435
members Of the House and fully three
times as. many secretaries and other
employees.
1t is not generally known that the
House post office handles as much
business as most of the city post
offices throughout the country, and
this little group has handled all of
this Christmas overload without ad-
ditional help by the simple but weari-
some process of doubling up," doing
double duty.
And this has been the biggest year
ever, not only in the number of
Christmas cards but also of packages.
When you stop to think that about
every member of Congress sends out
on an average about 1000 greeting
cards, in various sizes, you get only q
partial view of the big job that has
been done. This office has been liter.
ally swamped, but got everything
cleared in time for the great day.
AS regards Christmas packages
there were IL to % mail sacks full
FOR every outgoing maitland they
went literally everywhere
The Sneak ar RanrnConfo tive N;Chn
las Longworth, as usual, headed the
list in the volume of cards, illustrated
with an interesting picture of the
original Capitol Building.
X II X X
Each year there is considerable
rivalry about the Capitol to see who
Will have the most attractive greet
ing card. Generally Edmund F. Erik,
clerk of the foreign affairs committee
and secretary to Representative
Stephen G.. Porter of Pennsylvania,
wins by common consent. This year
he came through true to form with
an attractive folder carrying an orig
inal message of most appropriate
seasonal sentiments.
n X X 4
One Of Santa Claus best aides in
Congress is Senator Peter G. Gerry of
Rhode Island. For many years, even
before he became prominent in poll
tics, Senator Gerry has been financing
Christmas party for the poor chill
dren of Providence. Cards of invita-
ton are issued through the st. Vim
cent de Paul Society. the Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and
the various police precincts, in a sin
IN ant obi
who otherwise might not have a share
In this feastday for childhood.
All of these 1900 or more youngsters
are to get turkey dinner with all the
fixings. including cranberry sauce, ice
cream, nuts and candles. There will
be Christmas trees laden with toys
and useful gifts: Each child will re.
cefve a toy and pair of warm gloves
or Winter cap, muffier or stockings.
In some particularly needy cases the
children will be given other garments.
There will he an orchestra and other
entertainment.
Each Summer Senator Gerry invites
all the children from near and far to
be his guests at a picnic.
\ X II
Capt. Arthur P. Fenton, one of the
best known and most popular EN-.
ployes about the Capitol, who has
seen service there for 80 years, has
bid good.by to longtime friends here,
and Is to start the new year as col.
lector of customs in Cleveland. Ohio.
Fenton lived next door to the late
Senator Redfeld Proctor, in Vermont,
and came to Washington with him
when Mckinley was elected in 1897
Proctor had formerly been Secretary
of War under Harrison.
Senator Mark Hanna took Fenton
under his political wing, and had him
on his staff when he was chairman of
the committee on inter-oceanic canals.
In 1901 he went to Cleveland with
Senator Hanna. and has considered
that city his home ever since. He is
q graduate of the Georgetown Law
school. in 1911. lie Is prophet Of Kali
lipolis Grotto.
During the World War Fenton saw
varied service in practically every
branch of military operations-mili-
tary intelligence, ordnance, Quarter
master Corps. Infantry, Judge advo
cate generals office and motor trans
port service. He rose to the rank of
captain.
ADIOpOS VI ms CcHSuTe Oh. Ine
House ways and means committee for
strangulation and suffocation of tax
relief for this session, Senator Pat
Harrison of Mississippi, Democrat,
tells this little story:
" II heard once of a modest Quaker, of
mild manners and sweet temperament,
but who had a neighbor who owned
dog that this peaceful Quaker hated
and wished to be dead. The Quaker
himself did not possess sufficient heart
to shoot or kill the dog. He con-
ceived another plan. So on one occa-
sion as the dog sought the sunshine
and exercise, and walking down the
street he was spied by this well.man-
nered Quaker and Immediately put to
flight. The Quaker ran after the dog,
shouting and hollering at the top of
his voice, Mad dog, mad dogr' Others
hearing him and seeing the sight.
Joined in the cry. 1t melted others,
and one whose heart was not of such
a tender disposition shot and killed
the dog"