Evening star., 1936-01-05
Capital Sidelights
By viii p. Kennedy.

Senator Francis T. Maloney Of Connec-
ticut gave up athletics for politics. and
got into Congress by defeating the Ia
nous T. A. D. Jones. He was in the
United States Navy during the World
War. He says Il used TO think l was
a billiard champion. .eand I did have a
desire at one time to be a circus rider.
I was neishborhood athlete and one
time native auctioneer" Elected mayor
of his native city. Meriden, ne soon forgot
his sports and hobbies. He was twice
elected mayor. then to one term in the
House and next sentenced by his con-
stituency to a first term Of six years in
the Senate.
Representative Joseph P. Monaghan OF
Montana used to run an elevator IN the
block where he now has his law ONCE.
He served as baby" member IN the
twenty first Montana State Legislature
when he was only 81. and then came TO
Congress as baby" member His secre-
tary. Miss Esther Ford, is the youngest
secretary to any member OF Congress
assuming the job when she was decidedly
less than Il.
Among the old war horses" welcomed
on the House floor by veteran colleagues
Friday night when the President made
his speech was Representative Frank w.
Mondell of Wyoming, former House
leader Mondell in his youth was
pioneer mine prospector, noted pistol
Shot. sheriff of a mining camp and
bonanza silver-rush town. Probably no
man in Congress in the past half CEN
tury had a more spirited and romantic
youth. One of his old "buddies" who
thrashed over old mining days with him
was Representative Edward T. Taylor OF
Colorado acting House leader in the last
session-serving his fourteenth 2-year
term. Immediately after graduating from
a high school in Kansas Taylor became
principal of a high school in Leadvllle,
Colo.
Representative Fred j. Sisson OF
Whitesboro. N. Y, is of English and
Holland Dutch descent and OF ReVolu-
tionary stock. having had lineal ancestors
on both sides of his family who were
soldiers and officers in the American
Revolution. He was an intercollegiate
debater of national recognition and won
the Mckinley prize debate. Immediately
after graduation from college he was
high school principal and ever since mas
been interested in public school educa-
tion-for five years principal OF the Board
of Education.
His chief recreation is hunting and he
is proud of his bird dogs. While an eX-
cellent wing shot, he has been an out
standing conservationist. devoting much
time to game and fish stocking and to the
service of State and national sportsmens
organizations. He has for years been
director and president of various fish
and game protective associations, the
New York Forest League and the Izaak
Walton League of America. With other
prominent members of Congress, he hopes
through his service here to make the
National Capital the center OF the great
est sportSmen'S paradise.
X + X X
In. the first issue of the Congressional
Record for this new session there is
printed an appreciation of woodrow
wilson delivered at Pueblo, Colo, where
Wilson made his last speech, in Septem-
ber, 1919. This tribute was paid by
Representative John A. Martin of Colo
RADIO. The occasion was the installation
in the Municipal Auditorium of a tablet
to Wilson.
DR.. e w. Brandes, sugar scientist OF
the United States Department OF Agr1-
culture, who recently gained scientific
acclaim by bringing 80 varieties OF sugar
cane including eight wild forms. from
the scattered islands in the South Paciflc'
which are now growing in the depart
ment's quarantine greenhouse in wash
ington, will not forget an experience ne
had in taking a "tazar." One DAY last
Fall he was in 30-foot launch OF New
Caledonia. Seeking disease-resident sug-
ar canes, his party was headed up the
coast when caught in violent storm.
Sharks followed the tossing beat. Inc
anchor slid overheard, but the seaslck
crew got 1t back somehow. Nearby
large schooner with cargo OF meat sank,
but to the chagrin of the sharks the
meat was In tins. The crew made shore
in hfeboats. After battling the storm
for five hours, the Brandes party made
harbor. There they examined five-foot
"tazar" caught on troll line that had
washed overheard. It is much like the
slashing barracuda of Florida waters.
Members Of Congress generally have
devoted many years to the cause of
education-probably 40 per cent of them
have been teachers and another 20 per
cent have served on boards of education.
For example: Representative William w.
Blackney of Flint, Mich, was a member
of the Board of Education for 10 years
and for IA years an instructor in the
factory night school.
X Il
One of the Spanish War veterans In
Congress is Representative Earl g.
Michener Of Adrian, Mich.