Evening star., 1936-12-27
Capital Sidelights
BY VEL P. KENNEDY.

Uncle Sam had nice Christmas pres
ent Of some quarter Of million acres
Of the best country in all the worlds
history-this was the gift of generous
Americans to preserve forest lands for
future generations and ito obtain the
largest net total of public benefits" for
all the people. This looks forward to
happy New Years under greatly changed
conditions since the pioneers hacked
their way through the forest and felled
their own Christmas trees and f1relogs,
resulting in the passing Of the frontier
and the replacement Of labor by ma
chinery. It emphasizes many relative
ties" in our complicated modern life. 1t
opens up vistas and trails for one of the
very best Of the New Deal agencies
the C. c. (Which is to be an i'm
portant unit In a new Public Works De-
partment. and gives that gallant band
Of vigorous youth an objective on which
they can bend their backs and idealism.
while worshiping at Gods affairs on the
mountainSides.
We who live in congested city homes
and beehive apartment houses seldom,
If ever, stop to realize what is being
done by the c. c. C.. boys and other
Government out-of-doors men in the
great open spaces of this broad land of
ours. The physical improvements in
this vast national domain of 165, ,987 ,691
acres, which includes five new national
forests, during the past year consist of
4,67l miles of telephone lines, 282 public
camp grounds. six airplane landing
fields, 1880 miles Of firebreaks 5,911 miles
80 5- 4
for the G. G. G. boys. And range i'm
provements include the construction Of
1879 miles Of range fences, 594 miles Of
stock driveway and the development of
2,260 water supplies. More than 1000
small dams were constructed for recrea-
tional use, fish. wild life and water con-
servation. BY tree planting and other
wise. control of erosion has been effected
on 345.424 acres. Tree planting covered
140. .724 acres, an increase of 66Q08 last
year. Surely the c. c. c. boys are earn
ing their way and winning physiques
and learning to live with and love nature.
The new year opens large for them
with much good work yet to be done.
The sharp division between Federal
and State functions in Government the
century-old squabbling over States rights,
comes to the fore again not only in tax
questions. in division of costs over
w. p. A. projectsbut also over duplica-
ton in Office holding, which is growing
more prevalent. There have been re-
peated examples in recent years-a mem
Der Of Congress still holding his legisla-
tive title while being commissioner of
motor vehicles in his home State; a
member Of Congress still retaining his
position as chairman Of a campaign in
vestigating committee while serving as
q district judge in his native city in
New England. Now comes to Congress
George J. Bates as successor to the late
land universally loveO Representative
A. Piatt Andrew Of Salem and Gloucester,
Mass. Bates has been Mayor Of Salem
for 10 years-that office once made IA
nous by ''Top-hat" John F. Hurley.
former auctioneer, and coming to Con-
gress he declared his intention Of also
continuing to hold the office of maJ or.
making weekend trips back home to
handle the financial affairs of the city.
In the last Congress, which is closed
out of January 4, there was a great
furore because Representative Richard
M. Russell refused to give up his post as
mayor of Cambridge until his term had
run out. Then Russell failed OF re-
election to Congress and the veteran
Robert Luce, a decided asset to the Re-
publican side Of the House, returns. Now
Bates takes a leaf out Of RusselPs book
Of experience-declaring he will continue
to hold the municipal office, but Tending
off some criticism with the distinct
understanding that he would accept no
salary for his services as mayor while
Congress is in session" There is criti-
cism back home and In party circles,
however, because he Is keeping some
other man of the peoples choice out OF
q good Job, where he could work single
mindedly for the advancement OF the
community.
The gymnasium for the members of
the House In the new House once
Building is opened again and doing q
steady business. It was formally re-
opened with appropriate exercises by
Representative James M. Mead, who is
chairman Of a group of House members
who have banded themselves together to
support this agency to keep members
"fit.' An increasing number Of legisla-
tors are going to use its facilities, with
the records showing corresponding in
crease in their physical well-being. The
equipment and all costs are met through
voluntary subscription by those using the
gym. An Army drill sergeant is employed
to advise the members regarding their
exercise. All too-strenuous exercise and
games are barred.