Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL P. KENNEDY.

The gavel has fallen - closing the
career of Speaker Nicholas Longworth
Propheticaliy, he himself told his COL
leagues just before he swung the gavel
declaring 'the Congress adjourned,
sine de-" that Perhaps this is the
last time I will address you from this
rostrum." His colleagues laughed and
applauded, seeing his allusion to the
promised close contest for the speaker
ship in the new Congress.
Continuing, Mr.. Longworth said: Il
do not mean to insinuate that regard
it as a probability, but must admit it
Is q possibility. The decision lies with
none of us here. 1t is a decision that
lies with an All-wise Providence. 1t is
only an All-Wise Providence who is go
ing to determine which of the two great
political parties will organize the next
House of Representatives.
with whatever Providence may de-
termine am abundantly satisfied" and
applause interrupted him. Il ought to
be, for but three Speakers of the House
in all history will have had a longer
term of consecutive service than I
have had.
II have enjoyed practically every
minute of it, except a few minutes last
night" whereat applause and laughter
again interrupted. But even during
| those few minutes when some members
! struck me as being, perhaps, a trifle
bothersome, esteemed them all, as 1
have esteemed every member here dur
ing my service OF six years, without any
single exception.
If am to retire from this office I
do so with profound gratitude to my
| colleagues, not so much for having ele-
waited me to this, the greatest Office in
any legislative branch in any govern
ment of the world, but more for the
evidence of the esteem and confidence
| you have had in me-"
That was his last speech as Speaker
and what balm it Is for the souls of
the leaders of the Opposition" in the
| House, who had previously spoken in
testimony Of Mr.. Longworth's fairness"
/ as Speaker, that he prefaced that last
speech by saying:
Mr.. ByrnS, Mr.. Crisp, and you, my
colleagues, I need not say that I am
profoundly grateful for this demonstra-
ton of your affection"
Just previously. Representative Crisp
Of Georgia, a former parliamentarian
Of the House and son Of q former
Speaker, had said:
II recall that when our distinguished
| Speaker first assumed the chair he
made this statement-that as q Repre-
| sentative from one Of the congressional
| districts of Ohio he was a partisan;
that as the Speaker of the House he
would know no partisanship, but would
| be the Speaker Of the entire body and
faithfully, fairly, courteously and i'm
| partially discharge the duties Of that
great Office" When the applause died
| down, Mr.. Crisp continued: Il desire TO
say that he has kept faith and lived
up to that promise He will take rank
as one of the great Speakers Of this
House"
With progress being made on acQuIsi-
| ton of the site between Third and
Sixth streets, Pennsylvania, Indiana
and Louisiana avenues for a new Mu-
nicipal Center, some concern has been
expressed as to the wiping out of many
| historic landmarks in this area, such
as the residences OF Daniel Webster and
! S. F. B. Morse. when he invented the
| telegraph and sent the first message to
Baltimore, What hath God wrought"
There is one old landmark In this
vicinity which will not only be pre-
| served but will take on a new life, with
| the improved setting which the Munich
| pal Center project will give. That is
the historic Trinity Episcopal Church,
on Third street between @ street and
Indiana avenue, which four years ago
celebrated its centennial This church
organization grew out of a meeting held
December 8, 1926. BY April $500 had
been subscribed and the Common Coun-
| Gil Of the then municipal government
! mad authorized the congregation to use
| the council chamber in the then City
| Hail. now the District Court House, as
temporary place of worship.
The first church Of this congregation
was situated on Fifth street between
D and E streets. Francis Scott Key,
author Of 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner"
was senior warden OF the parish for a
| number of years.
In 1848 a new church edifice was
planned and $4,000 raised. w. w. Cor
| coran, noted financier, who gave the
| National Capital its great art museum
| near the White House, made possible
| the present site of Trinity Episcopal
Church. The ground was broken on
January Z. 1849, the corner stone laid
| the following April: the first service was
held in the completed structure in May,
| 1851.
During the days of the Civil War and
again in the World War, this church
edifice threw open its doors for patri-
otto service to the soldiers. In Civil
! War days 1t was military hospital. A
floor was laid across the tops of the
quaint box peWs. The nail marks made
at that time may still be seen in the
woodwork today.
Some of those still associated with
the work of Trinity Church remember
the tall, gaunt figure of President Lin
coin standing in the church, where the
baptistery Is now placed, and looking
with sad eyes on the suffering around
him. During this period the congre-
cation returned to its first place of
worship in City Hall and later in the
nearby Wesley Chapel.
During the World War this historic
church became the scene of great serv-
ice and activity. Cots for weary SOL
diers were set up in the parish hall.
Many boys in the military service were
cheered and comforted both spiritually
and materially.
Tho fret nan American catherine 70 deal