Evening star., 1935-03-17
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

Mistaken Identity" still stalks on
Capitol Hill-as 1t does most every
where; oftentimes, man gets In
wrong through no fault of his own
thereby, as has Representative Harry
P. Beam. Democrat, of Ohio. In the
rapid fire of debate on the floor. even
the reporters in the press galleries,
zealously striving for exactness, oc-
casionally make a mistake regarding
which individual made a certain re-
mark, and a member is heralded to
the country for something he did not
do. Quite naturally. If the matter is
something for which he receives ap-
plause from his constituents the men,
ber is usually not strenuous in denying
the report, but If it happens to be
something that gets him in wrong
with the voters of his district. even
more naturally he insists on cor
rection.
Thus was 1t with Representative
Harry P. Beam-who publicly on the
floor last Friday called attention to
such a mistake in identity. He had
been confused with Representative
Carpenter, Democrat, of Kansas. who
the day before had told the House
relative to his participation in con-
ference Of members looking toward
the formation Of new political party
IF this be treason, make the most
Of it." Mr.. Beam said in self -justi-
fication: II made no such statement.
I have no sympathy with this move
ment. I am Democrat and believe
in Democratic doctrines, and I stand
100 per cent behind the President of
the United States
This fellow Beam besides being 100
per cent behind the President" Is a
100 per cent typical American, who
lived in his own balliWick since he
was years Of age, educated in its
public schools and local universities.
enlisted in the Navy during the
World War, served as commander Of
an American Legion post, as assistant
corporation counsel of Chicago, men,
Der Of the local State and American
Bar Associations Carpenter also is
a high-grade citizen and legislator
who served in the World War He
organized a company of Kansas In
fantry. He was promoted to first
lieutenant during the Argonne often
sive. He is a member Of the Board
of Education back home"
Before he told his colleagues in his
toric words the make the most of
It," Representative Carpenter ex-
planned his position thus:
"I do not yield in my lofty respect
and admiration for our Speaker, Mr.
Joseph w. Byrns, to any member in
this House. I do not yield in my
loyalty or my respect and admiration
for the President of the United States
or the Democratic party. But I do not
easily bluff.
IF it be treason to assemble to-
gether with members of this Con-
gress-Democrats. Republicans, Pro-
gresSives, Farmer-Laborites-
they may be-to discuss progressive
legislation for the benefit Of the peo-
pie OF this country-I say, IF this be
treason, then make the most of it.. !"
y 4
Here is a teaser for the word sharks
those meticulouS in the niceties Of
diction-it has already been discussed
ny some of the dictionary writers, &C
tording to Representative Sol Bloom
OF New York, who is propounding his
query to colleagues:
In speaking of the anniversary Of
the Constitution is it proper to say
the formation" Of the Constitution.
or the formulation" of the Consti-
tuition? Representative Bloom him.
self insists that formation" was cor
rect up to the time the Constitution
tinkers got to work, but that now il
has been amended the correct word is
formulation"