The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1931-07-23

- z1.sl that / am writ
ing a column of Washington matter
for number of newspapers in south
ern Minnesota, he felt that it would
perhaps be a good idea to add the
Redwood Gazette to my list, since
he knows from past experience and
observation that readers take kindly
to such feature. Consequently
am to write regularly for the Ga
zette. If the material interests you
and you grow to like it, thank Scott;
if it proves otherwise, blame me. /
am out of your reach.
Frankly, and with due modesty,
predict that you will be turning read
lily to the column after you have be-
come accustomed to it, for I am
speaking with the knowledge of what
hundreds of subscribers of other pa
pers have written me voluntarily.
However, when l start first col
umn for new paper, am somewhat
like the little bashful boy about to
speak a piece at school, I seem to
need a little prompting. 1t is not
SO bad in the case of Redwood Falls,
though, for have friend in Roches-
ter, Peter Larson by name, who has
frequently visited relatives in Red
wood county, and he has told me so
many glowing things about the beau
ty of the country, the fertility of the
farms, and the industry of the peo-
pie, that / almost feel as if I am IA
miliar with things thereabouts.
Did you ever stop to think that the
city of Washington, D. c., is your
city, that you are a shareholder in
it although you may never have been
here? Well, it is the truth, for a
part of your money has been invest
ed in the public buildings, in its
scores of beautiful parks, and even
in its stately streets. Every resi-
dent of the United States then has
two municipalities in which he should
be interested, his own home town,
and the capital city of the country.
OF course, an added interest al
ways attaches to this community in
the District of Columbia, for it was
all planned by George Washington,
by and with the advice and aid of
those whom he selected to create
federal city. This community then
stands as monument to his thought
fitness. 1t is, moreover, the one
city in the world which. was designed
to be the capital of a nation, and
from time to time it is to be my pro-
vince to tell you things about this
city which, perhaps, you may not
have known before.
This column will delve into history;
it will at times take a reminiscent
trend; and it will also carry you
along with the sweep of time as it
is at present. 1t is the aim of the
writer to inform as well as to en-
terrain.
In the winter time, when Congress
is in session and weighty matters Of
state are under discussion, the Capt.
toll building is the chief center of at
traction in Washington, and thous-
ands of visitors go there daily to
listen to the senators and represen-
tatives and to gain thrill over the
operations of the two houses of the
national legislature. find that
there are still great numbers of peo-
pie who have the idea some way or
other that the President of the Unit
ed States is to be seen around the
Capitol. Indeed, there are many
who seem to think that the Capitol
and the White House are one build
ing. The contrary is the case, how
ever. The Capitol is practically
mile and half from the home of
the President, and the Chief Execu-
tive does not make it practice to
frequent the halls of Congress.
True enough, he has little room as
signed to him in the Capitol as an
office, but he seldom uses it. Most
of his contact with Congress is
through his formal written messages.
The President does not often appear
before the senators and representa-
tives in person to voice opinions as
to the needs of the nation, although It
has been done sometimes in the past.
had the pleasure at one time OF
hearing Woodrow Wilson deliver an
address to all the senators and rep
resentatives. The meeting was held
in the House of Representatives, it
being larger chamber than the sem
ate.
Your correspondent has had an ac-
quaintance of 81 years with Wash
ington. Aside from doing newspaper
work in southern Minnesota, he has
at different times been employed in
the Census Bureau, the Patent Office,
the Bureau Of Inspection Of the