The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-04-11
NEA Service Writer

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 Copyright 1883, NEA Service Incl
 Washington.-Ancient memories of the old Capitol bar floated back as 1t began to appear that beer again would be served in the House and Senate restaurants.
 But only to few. The lone member of congress whose service dates back to the days of the bar is Representative Edward W. Pou of North Carolina, 70-year old chairman of the house rules com mittee. He came here in 1901. The bar went out in 1903. MT Pou remembers the institution, but he never paid much attention to 1t because he wasn't interested. So one must rely on the memories of a. few of the oldest Capitol em- ployes.
 There were judges of good whis- key here in those days. If you wanted a favor from congress- cepted thing to invite him down for a drink. Some members seldom made a speech without first get ting slightly "oiled". And all the surviving authorities agree that the choice stock of liquors and wines at tho house bar was ono of the boasts of our natoin's capital.
 Perpendicular drinking was the exception and table drinking the rule. The House bar was In the House restaurant, just under tho House chamber and 1t was operat- cd by three bartenders. It had q brass rail.
 Some old-timers remember 1t as running the length of one end of the room and others as horse- shoe mahogany jutting out Into 1t, with about 35 feet of leaning space. But it was so well patron- iZed that anyone who wanted to drink in comfort went off to a ta- ble, leaving the bar primarily to those who wanted one or two quick ones.
 Business was never dull, as far as anyone can recall. Members, lobbyists and constituents kept a brisk trade going. Night sessions sent large throngs to the bar.
 Rye highballs and gin rickcys were favorites, although there were plenty of beer drinkers and wine drinkers. Whiskey sold at 10 cents q glass.
 The senate never had a real bar, although liquor was served at ta- bles and there was q marble scrv- ing table where a senator might be served standing if he liked.
 All the old-timers -- including William Tyler Page, now minority clerk, and Joseph J. Sinnott, house chief doorkeepcr--insist that few members we're ever to be observed in condition that might be de- scribed as "stewed".
 Having q few drinks and being able to carry your liquor was then considered the mark of perfect gentleman" Page recalls, "and most representatives were perfect gentlemen"
 Tho passing of the bar 30 years ago was bad business all around, according to William A. Hawkins. 68, dean of the house walters who has served in the restaurant for 4S years.
 T remember 1t just as well as if 1t were yesterday" the old negro says. Some of those representa- lives had to be pretty well oiled before they could make a speech. They would go onto the floor to make q speech and then hurry back here to get another drink.
 The sale of liquor was all that ever made this restaurant pay.
 After they stopped us selling liquor we had to serve 1t in small coffee cups so the visitors would think the representatives were drinking something milder. And then we had to serve peppermints to sweeten the breath. Lots of representatives dropped in here several times q day. remember one western member especially well. A coffee cupful of whiskey wasn't enough for him; he couldn't make q speech unless he had big mug of it."
 Senator Joe Blackburn of Ken- lucky. according to chroniclers of the nineties. was the senate's "most scientific thinker" Many members used to have their whiskies shipped to them and 1t was reported that none ever had the hardihood to smuggle in a new choice variety without permitting Blackburn to sample it.
 An admlrer once sent Senator James Burnie Beck of Kentucky q barrel of bourbon and he tried 1t out with Blackburn. Blackburn in- sisted after the first sip that there was iron in the barrel. which Beck denied. declaring that there was q piece of leather. They made n heavy bet and after they had fin- ished the barrel--weeks later they found a carpet tack with a lonlher hand in the hnii0m