Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-25
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

this a sho-'nuf dwellin' place." Dur
ing the round of the mansion. the old
colored servant was shown the heads
of animals which flank the main stair
way on either side-trophies of Mrs.
Elmer Schlesinger's hunting expedi-
tons. 'Lawd o mercy. all wouldn't
want that lady shootin' at me-
*f*
Before the year is over the Govern
ment Printing Office will issue one of
the most pretentious volumes that
ever left Its busy presses. 1t Is to be
entitled Art and Artists of the Cap
itol Of the United States of America. :"
The author, is Charles r. Fairman,
art curator OF the Capitol a Vermont
er, who long has adorned that post
Congress, in April, 1925. appropriated
$1,000 for the work, which IL to be
handsomely illustrated with repro
auctions OF the principal architectural.
scuiptural and canvas gems beneath
the dome. Mr.. Fairman saws that the
architectural joy Of the national cita-
del Is the pediment Of the House wing.
because OF the perfect perspective 1t
permits from all sides. Tho curator
considers Sargents portrait OF Thomas
Bracket Reed in the Speakers lobby
OF the House the unQuestionably
finest painting in the Capitol. Upon
the bronze figure OF Cha ncellor Robert
K. Livingston of New York, designed
by Erastus Dow Palmer, standing in
Statuary Hall, Fairman hangs the
iaurels Of distinction in the field Of
Capitol sculpture
Visitors to Vice President Dawes Of
fee, just off the floor of the Senate
and the doors Of which are already
wide ajar. seldom fail to ask the why
and wherefore of a mirror "skyed"
near the ceiling and away beyond the
gaze OF anybody who'd try to look into
1t. 1T Is the most famous looking
glass in the United States. John
Adams bought 1t soon after he became
Vice President In 1883. There was an
economy program even in those an
cient days. and the SIS or $50 the
mirror cost became the subject Of q
hot and historic hula ba loo. Recause
or Its traditions. the glass-an object
ABOUT four feet long and two feet
wide, framed in gilt-has been re
tanned in the Offices OF all the Vice
Presidents. 1t Is hung above the tall
srandfather's clock that stands
against one Of the walls Charles w
Fairbanks of Indiana, who. 1t NAV be
recalled. was once Vice President had
the reputation Of being the only one
In modern times tall enough to nut
john Adams mirror into practical use
Jim Reeds political foes. Demo.
cratic and Republican alike. seem IN
nave singled out his well known
vanity-his eternal youthfulness-as
the spot whore the Missourjan can
most easily he touched upon the raw.
Senator Robinson. Republican. of In.
diana, In Yesterdays brush with Sen.
ator Reed on the Senate floor was
the second man within a few days TO
REFER TO the Democratic presidential
aspirant as that venerable. white.
haired old gentleman" or words TO
that irreverent effect Reed. of course
is advanced In years-he would he in
his sixty ninth year when land if) in.
augurated President in I9o9-but in
aspect and temperament few men of
90 are his peers. The approach OF
Spring discovers Jim in sartorial
bloom worthy of a campus sheik. In
his sreenish- blue SLOUGH hat. with
suit and tie to- match, no more deb.
OMAR and rakish figure bestrides the
scene on Capitol Hill.