Evening star., 1934-12-30
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

ox WILL +. AENNEDY.
The usual batch of Christmas
greeting cards at the Capitol has been
distributed, and the decision regard
ing which wins the annual contest
for uniqueness rests between four
Representative Thomas L. Blanton,
Democrat, Of Texas, with his Yuletide
greetings inclosed a photograph OF
himself with an eulogistic autobiog-
raphical record on the reverse side
and coupled with his compliments of
the season a watchdog the Treas
ury attack on National Capital appro-
priations.
Representative Dirksen, Republican,
Of Illinois sent his Christmas greet
ings in the form of House resolu-
ton ito provide for an abundance of
Joy. happiness and prosperity for all
folks, for merry Christmas, happy
New Year and other glad purposes. "
Former Representative Edmund F.
Erik of Pennsylvania, who for many
years has held the record for send
ing out the most elaborate card, this
year had a beautiful folder with a
wet-pavement-by-night reflection of
the Capitol as a frontice, and a trib-
ute to friendship as the sentiment:
"A constant reminder Is scarcely
necessary from a constant friend, but
then I cannot help telling you how
wonderfully the vintage Of esteem and
appreciation has improved with age
so here's to friend-'May all the
goodness and greatness, all the sun
shine and smiles, all the cheerful
blessings, all the happiness and sig
nif1cance Of this day implies abide
with you. not alone today but al
ways"
But the honor goes to William Tyler
Page. veteran Capitol employe, for
mer clerk of the House and secretary
Of the George Washington Bicenten-
nial Commission. His card is Of the
parallel column style-one column
on THE Birth Of Nation" and the
other on 'The Birth of a Saviour
and between them the legend ION
Earth Peace to Men Of Good VIII. /"
Descriptive Of the Birth Of Nation"
is quoted THE Americans Creed" {"
which Mr.. Page compiled, winning a
wartime contest, and under that
appears Render Unto Caesar the
Things That Are Caesars" Descrip-
tive Of the Birth of a Savior" is the
Apostles Greed, under which appears
Unto God the Things That Are
Gods"
Comes into the new Congress a
young fellow who was ready to prac-
tice law at the mature age of II, but
had to wait for a special act Of the
Arkansas Legislature to permit him
to practice. The law required lawyer
to be 81 in order to be admitted to
the bar. So. John L. Mcclellan, the
incoming solon and his father pre-
sented a petition to the Legislature,
which after several delays permitted
him to practice in the State courts.
He was then the youngest practicing
attorney in the United States. He be-
gan reading law at the age of 10.
His mother had died when he was only
three weeks old and he and his father
were always close associates. His
father was a farmer and school
teacher. He made his campaign which
resulted in the defeat of the veteran
Representative Short Line Glover
just 20 years after he managed his
fathers campaign for county Judge.
He resigned as prosecuting attorney
Of the seventh judicial district.
There Is no formality about the
Introduction or Identification of new
House members-usually q veteran
member from the State introduces the
newcomer to the Speaker and clerk
Of the House. The certificates are
mostly all in the hands of the clerk.
Sometimes State makes q blanket
certiflcation for the entire delegation
Maryland has just done so. Last time
Massachusetts, did it. 1t is preferable,
however. that an individual certifi-
cate be issued for each member elected,
as one mistake in blanket certificate
might invalidate the instrument and
delay the swearing-in of an entire
delegation. If these certificates are
not in when Congress meets the names
of the members cannot be placed on
the official roll and he cannot partici-
pate in the organization of the House.