Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-09

souls and advises them as to what they
must do in order to get within the
inner sanctum.
McKenna also holds the keys to the
White House proper, in so far as visitors
are concerned. To get glimpse of the
Presidents home one must first have
a card signed by the doorkeeper, to be
presented at the door of the executive
mansion.
During the 26 years he has been
doorkeeper, McKenna perhaps has come
in contact with as many important
people as any other one person in the
world. Also, must he act as the go
between for the thousands who come
from everywhere TO shake the hand of
the President.
1t Is the latter class that makes his
Job anything but the most pleasant.
These persons are always making some
absurd request. and some seem wholly
unable to understand why they can't
be granted.
While we were talking to McKenna
a visitor rushed up with the request
that President Hoover place his sig
nature In an autograph book.
But the President is not receiving
today" the doorkeeper informed her.
The visitor insisted that the sigma
ture must be had. There was no way
out McKenna took the book and said
he would try to get the President to
sign. The visitor could return later
in the day and get 1t. He was shown
where the signature was wanted, marked
the place, and put 1t on his desk, to
await opportunity to slip into the Pres
ident's office and ask him to write his
name.
IT get this every day." he said. 'But
am accustomed to 1t. And after all,
it's in the days job"
McKenr1a refers to the President as
that Teller in there" and he always
accompanies his statement with a wave
Of the hand toward the executive
offices.
It is never President Hoover this or
that-always that Teller in there"
Franklin W. Fort New Jersey repre-
sentative In Congress- will be heard
from often on the question Of farm re-
lief at the forthcoming special session,
and yet 1t Is doubtful 1t there is a single
farmer numbered among his cor1stitu-
ents.
His district is essentially urban, lying
almost within stones throw of New
York City. Parts Of Newark and the
cities of East Orange and Orange, as
well as the wealthy suburbs of Essex
County make up his constituency.
But despite the fact that Fort Is a
"city man." it is conceded on Capitol
Hill that when the House plunges into
the farm problem he will be found in
the thick Of the fight at all times.
Forts friends have never been able
to explain why he has taken such an
interest in agriculture since he came to
Congress. When he arrived In wash
lngton four years ago to serve his first
term, he came into the office Of his col
league, Charles A. Eaton and remarked
doc, I intend to try and get a seat
on the agricultural committee"
Eaton and other friends were greatly
surprised Why should he, representing
a State which had little or no interest
in agriculture. want such post? And
besides, what personal interest could he
have? All OF his operations had been in
the banking and insurance fields before
his election to Congress. Even at that
time he was manager Of big fire insur-
ance agency In Newark, representing a
Denmark company and was president of
bank.
But Fort stuck to his purpose. He
won his place on the committee and
came back to his friends "tickled as e
child"
From the very beginning he tackled
the farmers problems with the greatest
enthusiasm. He set out to acquaint
himself thoroughly with what agricul-
ture was up against. Today, If you
walk into his Office you will see lined
about his desk volume after volume OF