Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
Capital Sidelights


Building, made some fourscore years
ago, and which has been stored for
many years In the attic OF the Capitol,
is being repaired and brought up to
date at a cost Of about $500, and Is
to be sent to Seville, Spain, as part of
the United States Government exhibit
at the exposition in which all OF the
former Spanish colonies are participant
ing. One of the features of the United
States display will be a facsimile OF
the Government Buildings and of the
new triangle development, on which the
Commission of Fine Arts. the Public
Buildings Commission, the National
Capital Parks and Planning Commission
and the Office of Public Buildings and
Public Parks are cooperating. The
model of the Capitol. made according
to the 1850 plan, is now in the crypt
of the Capitol
From various States word Is trickling
back to Washington that members OF
Congress seem to have caught the spirit
of the Americans-all and, aroused to
the interest of all the people In the
Capital City. are making speeches
describing the work that is being done
by Congress and other agencies OF the
Government to make this the most
beautiful city in the world.
An illustration of this is that when
the writer was on a recent trip to YER
mont. he attended a church service al
New Fame, the county seat. where JUS
tice Wendell P. Stafford formerly pre-
sided in one of the most beautiful Ole
colonial courthouSes, and was pleasant
ly surprised to hear Representative
ernest w. Gibson give a very graphic
description of Washington, the City
Beautiful" in comparison with otner
world capitals, emphasizing the further
work that Congress has IN nina lof
this soul city"
REPORTS from all parts Of the United
States show that the people Wherever
they get a chance are encouraging the
development and establishment OF the
National Capital.
Another Government employe Is
about to enter upon distinguished serv-
ice in his home State. Ernest w: Glib
son. ir.. until recently employed in the
Coast and Geodetic Survey here, While
taking his law course at George WASH
inpton University, Is conceded the elec-
ton in his campaign for States attor-
new. He Is credited with having more
practical court experience ehan any
other young attorney in his county.
~ y
Two officers of the House, really the
agent of their respective political par
ties. about which the public knows Mt
tie are the Republican and Democratic
whips Representative Guy U. Hardy
Of Colorado. one of the bright news
paper men in Congress, who Is educat.
ing the public by explaining some OF
the overlooked things about the ma
chinery of legislation, furnishes the 1ol-
lowing interesting information about
the whip: ..
The office of whip comes to us from
the British Parliament-that Is Inc
name does. and 1t has been USED LOT
some 200 years. It Is probable unat
every legislative body. as long as there
have been such bodies, have had some
person who has acted in this capacity.
The whip looks after the member
shin of his party and endeaVors 70
have them present to vote on 1mpor-
tant measures. When the vote IS APT
to he close he checks up. finds out who
is out of the city, and advises absentees
bv wire of the important measure COM
ing up.
There are many hours of long debate
when many members do not feel IL
necessary to be present and listening
and they 60 along attending to their
other business. which in many cases
is pressing. The whip keeps posted on
the daily program, and If something
important comes up where votes VIII
be taken he notifies the membership
of his party. Occasionally memoets
offices are notified by phone from the
whips Office that "All members are de-
sired on the floor Immediately" After
such notice is phoned around you VIII
see the House gradually fill up with
members.
The Republican whip has also duty
20 perform in connection with the Whlte
House. The President occasionally seeks
information from the whip as to the
sentiment of the House on important
administration measures, about the
prospect of passage of certain bills, and
the whip naturally reflects the PreSl-
dents views about many things and Is
in a position to know the adminiStra-
tons policy.
The Republican whip was formerly
appointed by the Speaker. but Is no"
chosen by the party caucus. Represent
ative Albert H. Vestal of Indiana Is
serving as Republican whip at this
time. He has served six terms in Con-
gress. Some others who have rendered
distinguished service as Republican whip
have been Thomas B. Reed, James Will
son. later Secretary of Agriculture:
James E. Watson, now United States
Senator from Indiana; James A. Taw-
ney and John w. Dwight. On the
Democratic side, Representative William
A. Oldheld of Arkansas is the party
whip.