Evening star., 1928-05-27
Capital Sidelights

pody,s friend at the Capitol, who goes
around like the good-natured homespun
Hoosier he is telling good stories In his
own homely, horse-sense way, well
coined to any group of Congressman,
but who has again captured for the
second successive session the champion
ship belt for getting major measures
enacted!
He is now known far and wide
throughout the country as Capitol
Builder" and says he has never heard
one word of criticism from the people
about single dollar spent in develop
ment of the City of Washington as the
greatest city in the world.
Dick" doesn't take much stock In
gravestones he admits, but ne does ike
to spread smiles along the way---tc give
a pleasant word and helping kand To
his fellowmen. And his friends Ike to
give Dick a few bouquets while ne is
alive He has a host of friends i'll the
Capital who are singing his praises.
Here is a summary of some Of the
measures he has just steered througn
Congress:
The additional 100000 900 for public
buildings all over the country.
The authorization Of $25 100000 to
acquire all privately owned land In the
triangle south Of Pennsylvania avenue
to the Mall. as sites for Federal build
ings, under the S50,000 900 program he
put through last session.
The resolution for commission TO
plan the Capital and Mall development,
and the bfll to carry out the recon-
mendations made by that commission,
which Is also on the preferred list for
passage before Congress adiourns.
The Supreme Court bill, which calls
for appointment of a commission to
select an architect and make plans sor
the new Supreme Court Building, to be
erected on the site authorized in the
public buildings bill which Elliott put
through last session, and with an au-
thorized appropriation of $4,000 for
preparation of plans for the monu-
mental home for the Supreme Court.
Dick" Elliott is also considered
guardian ad Item for the invalid PEN
Sions committee and guided two omni
bus pension bills through the legisla-
tive underbrush this session.
To his credit IL should be noted that
the same pension bill-known as the
Elliott Fitzgerald bill 49, which got a
pocket veto from the President last ses-
sion, was signed by the President last
Wednesday, providing more liberal PEN
sions for soldiers widows.
#
In these days when the minds of
most Democratic members of Congress
are turning toward Houston, Tex,
where the National convention Is to be
held next month, cloakroom gossip has
recalled the trial before the House OF
~ 40 q n
ular characters in American public life,
after whom the convention city was
named.
Houston was, in turn, enlisted soldier
serving under Cen. Jackson, who later
sent him on a diplomatic mission; gov
ernor OF two States. Tennessee and
Texas: member of both House and Sen
ate in Congress, and whose leadershi1 }
won Texas her independence and added
a great empire to the Union OF States.
1t was during his days of bitterness
and heart grief over matrimonial
troubles that were never explained when
Houston visited the Capital that he was
attacked fiercely in the house by Repre-
sentative William Stanberry Of Ohio.
who charged irregularities in connec-
ton with contract TO supply food to
the Indians, who were lifelong friends
Stanberry explaining his misunderstand-
ing and asking for retraction. Stan
berry blusteringly GRATED some more
Then Houston met him on Pennsyl-
vania avenue not far from the Capitol
and gave him sound beating with a
hickory walking stick. Stanberry had
Houston arrested and hailed before the
bar OF the House. Francis Scott Key,
author OF THE Star Spangled Banner"
was selected to defend Houston. The
trial Jagged and finally was disposed of
by the Speaker administering mild re-
huke. But President jackson stood
stanchly behind his heroic comrade in
arms throughout the trial and made
I the remark that such incidents would
soon teach members OF Congress to keep
civil tongues in their heads.
Who among us can tell offhand
ABOUT the Battle of Rhode Island. the
sesquicentennial of which is to be cele-
brated next August, with Congress CO.
operating with the diminutive state?
Nearly every day Congress teaches
history lesson to those who viii read and
listen. Many interesting historical re-
views are printed in the committee rec
ords and in the Congressional Record.
Representative Luce OF Massachusetts,
chairman OF the House committee on
the Library. has put the following inter
eStlng summary In his report on the
measure providing for Congress partici-
patton:
THE Battle OF Rhode Island was the
elimination of series of SklrmisheS
and bombardments over a period of
about three weeks. In the course of
that period the French feet did great
damage 10 the British fortificationS
and to the squadron In he bay and
surrounding waters The British were
compelled to sink burn or run aground
large number Of their ships to avoid
capture. and the garrison ON Connani-
cut Island was forced TO abandon It's
fortiiications. The shores of Nara
gansett Bay were lined with water
soaked and charred hullS of the de-
ssroyed fleet. which once had been
formidable British squadron.
In the battle of August 20 the Ameri-
can forces, inferior in numbers, de-
feated the British deciSiyely. A regi-
ment of negroes recruited from the
Rhode Island plantations rendered con-
SpicuuuS service Three times at the
foot Of Anthonys Hill they met and re-
pulsed the charge Of the HeSsian troops.
The arrival OF all overwhelming force
under Sir Harry Clinton forced the
Americans TO retire and accordingly
Gen John sullivan retreated 10 TiverA
ton without the loss OF man or any
equipment.
THE special significance of the epi-
sode lies In the fact that this was the
first instance Of corporation of the
French military and naval forces with
the American forces after the negotia-
ton of the treaty with France by Ben
lamin Franklin"