The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-31
Capital Capers
BY GEORGE ABEL,

THE. State Department is in a quandary about
= the status of the Brazilian Finance Mis-
sion which is now being Wined and dined in
Washington.
A very puzzing situation has developed as
the result of an exchange of cables between Rio
and Washington.
Ambassador Aranha of Brazil who is known
as the strong man" of Brazilian politics, is re-
sponsible for the appointment of DR.. Arturo de
Souza Costa as Minister of Finance. So when
the Brazilian government recently wired that it
was sending Souza here to settle the debt prob
lem thus taking negotiations out of the hands
of Aranha) a nice point Of diplomacy was in
volved.
Immediately, Aranha cabled his resignation
as ambassador in Washington. The Brazilian
government wired back a. soothing message to
the effect that the Brazilian Finance Mission was
only formality and had no real Importance.
The idea of sending the mission, said the cable,
was merely to satisfy the opposition. Aranha
was still to have full control.
Upon receipt of this cablegram, Ambassador
Aranha reconSidered his resignation and agreed
to remain here as envoy.
But the State Department is vastly perturbed
and undecided. How can it deal with financial
mission which has no real power? What is the
real significance of the missions visit to Wash
ngton? These questions are daily asked to
each other by State Department officials and
apparently no one can find the answer.
AS a result, the four members of the Brazilian
Finance Mission are having a nice time wearing
top hats eating excellent dinners and being po-
ltely received by Secretary MorgenthaU. Aside
plished
Heavy, smooth jawed DR.. Souza who heads
the mission, has so far expressed only one opinion
since his arrival
I've never seen snow before It's marvellous"
II EP. PERCY LEE GASSAWAY of Oklahoma,
N known to most of his friends the cow
boy judge" has grown homesick during his brief
sojourn in the capital.
Gassaway sits day after day in the cloakroom
of the House, brooding upon the joys of his
native state as contrasted with those of Wash
ngton
I'm terribly homesick," ne confdes to friends
who stop to pat him on the shoulder.
Widely advertised as the only man in Con-
gress who wears cowboy boots, GasSaway sadly
contemplates his footgear and muses. on the in
consistencies Of political life.
THE only reason attend sessions now" he
says, lis because of morbid curiosity. I've de-
cided that the only thing congressman has to
do is wait for the voting and then vote Yes" or
4NO ESASO44d44y, III OA4AJ MoASAAAS " NV -
the appropriations BILL and then try to get car
fare home"
He gives a snort Of disgust at the doings Of
his Congressional colleagues.
In the old days, after a dignifed session on
the bench. would return to indulge in the
pleasures Of a gentleman in dignihed way-to-
wit, several highballs and a quiet game OF poker
in the back room of some hotel. But these men,
after a most undignifled session Of doing moth
ing, return to their hotels and play bridge with
women in the lobby"
. GasSaway shakes his head despondently
Bridge with women in hotel lobby! The
siSSies!" he snortS diSgustedly.