Evening star., 1932-07-24
The Speakers Gaveb

brisk SklrmlsheS with any one who dared inter-
fere with their occupation. At the Collings-
worth County Court House Rancher Dave Good
win fired at, Tax Assessor John Beasley, the
bullet grazing Beasley's head, knocking off his
hat and lodging in the Court House stairway.
gavel cut from the stairway, preserves the
bullet and the exciting history it recalls.
January of this year two distinguished OBJ
jects OF wood came together when q gavei made
form longleaf pine timbers taken from the roof
Of the White House in 1927, banged for order
on the House rostrum which has supported
many an Mustrious speaker. The pine timbeFs
were first placed in the Presidents mansion IN
1915 after the building had been damaged hU
the British
George w. Rohleder sent a gavel to Rep
resentatve Garner for other purposes than
noising throughout the House the call for order.
This gavel is good for anybody who raises new
issues or wants to send our money across the
sea. We need our dollars here Make those
Rowdy Boys behave" This inscription was IN
closed with the harmless looking but strongt
gavel from the Eagle Pass, Tex, citizen.
The simplicity, courage and leadership of an
old Texas hero reminded R. R. Stephen Of the
Lone Star States newest hero. So from the
root of an ebony tree on the camp ground OF
that dauntleSs soldier, old Zachary Taylor, q
shining sturdy little gavel was carved and sent
to the Speaker
One locks twice at a rather unpretentious
gavel placed among the collection Of silver,
ivory and intricately carved objects. And with
a certain amount of reverance, it is laid atop
the costly array. The small tag around ita
handle reads: Last gavel used by Speaker
Nicholas Longworth. House called to order
March 4. Speaker died April g.
Perhaps it was because Of the gavel-tragedy
which occurred on the opening day of Congress
that the Speakers Office was Immediately there
after besiged with many and varied additions
n ChamboT
Of Commerce was hcnored on that opening day
when the Speaker selected the gavel sent BY
that organization to call the list session of
Congress to order. With loud bang the new
Speaker gave his first official come to order"
command. The bang rescunded into splinter
ing and cracking, not belittling the strength o4
the Texas lawmaker but perhaps over-estmatng
the merit of the West Texas Chamber of Com.
merce mesquite gavel. Another gavel guarar.
teed to undergo the most severe use was forth.
coming within the next few days from that civic
organization.
The postman made many trips to Mr.. Garner1
Office after that, bringing packages. each q
which had been attested as to its respective
durability. H. G.. Lumbard Of Girad Ohio.
declared that his gift to the Speaker might wear
out but it would not break. Hides of Texas
cattle were closely entwined to make one Of the
most artistic and unusual gavels in the
collection.
When Edward F. Williams of Blythe, Calf.
and Representative Phil Swing presented q
gavel to Speaker Garner on behalf Of the Palo
Valley residents, they declared it was made
of the hardest wood and would probably stand
many sessions of constant use. 1t is made OF
ironwood from the Chuckawala Desert of Cali
fornia and required steel lathe to cut it.
Had the Speaker any need of bodyguard
the gavel presented by j. B. Smythe would be
a suitable weapon for such person. For with
one blow of the Uvalde rock asphalt and
mesquite object, order, to the point of unconsci-
business, might easily be obtained
When Senators Walsh and Coolidge d.
clared that B. w. Doyle of Leominister. Wis.,
was preparing q gavel which would not only
make the necessary amount Of noise TO Sntee
several hundred debaters. but would oGt3ast
Hoafinled Thirfeenfh