Evening star., 1936-01-12
Hilltop
Echoes
Random Observations
in the Halls of
Congress.

speech on the floor. Chances are he
never win make speech as long as
he is a Senator He just doesn't like
to crate any more. And he is rated
as a spellbinder-lass of the old
school of orators. Twice Governor Of
South Dakota, william John Bulow-
they call him Bill, out where the
West begins-was elected to the Sen
ate in 1880. His terms expires next
year. During his incumbency Bill
Bulow arose from his seat in the
Senate only once-to make a short
talk, as he calls it, on the World Court
He took his political life in his
hands Dhen he did this. but he got
rwdy with it. Epen his political
enemies claim that talk tDGs q
classic. Senator Bulow says he
sUore of making speeches the year
before he came to the Sen1te-dt
the Jackson day dinner in Wash
ington. He had told the audience
the difference betDeen the language
used in the East and the West.
That Summer Coolidge had deliv-
cred q celebrated line in the Black
Hills. Bulow explained it: I'VE cor
raled the President" he said, 'put
him in the lodge, behind a 9-foot
fence, and he learned to speak oul
language. We understood what hi
meant when he said I do not choose
to rum but back here in the EaSt
nobody seemed to understand the
President" That Interpretation fel
f1at-and the man who was to OF
Senator from South Dakota swort
he would never make q speech ir
Washington, If he could help it. Tt
date he has kept his promise, with
the exception of that short talk or
the World Court Yesterday, he smiled
and said, You'll never get in any
trouble long as you keep silent"
" II y
Since 1897 James Preston-one
time superintendent of the Senate
press gallery-has not missed an open
ing session of Congress. until this year
When he failed to put in appearance,
at any time during the present ses
sion some of the Senators and Rep
reSentatives began to wonder. Capito
Hill didn't look the same without jim
Preston. So Bob Jackson. who wa
Mr.. Preston's associates in the Sen
ate library, was sent out on the trail
He found Jim Preston at his ne,o
81,
the national Grchtutst "Hoio come"
Jackson asked, you haven't shotDn
up on Capitol Hill this year. Mr..
| PreSton?" Jim smiled. Plumb
forgot" he confessed, until
looked doun the Avenue and sdD
the flag flying oper the Capitol.
Started to 90 dotDn to the Capitol,
| Jim Preston was the first man Il
organize the press galleries Of tn,
Senate and House. He began his worl
SO years ago. Consequently, he ha
known all the great and near-great o
the land in that time. Everybod.
knows Jim Preston-and likes him
even if he has sworn of Capitol Hill
| Il X X X
A young boy, he was dressed like i.
Texas Ranger-and Just as handsome
as any Of the two-gun men who rid
the border. As he entered the off1c
Of Senator Tom Connally, the boy tool
of his 10-gallon hat and stood at at
tention before Miss Eleanor Crow, tn,
pretty secretary.
What can I do for you, my lit
tie mdn?" she asked,
81 want-a be page" the boy
said.
"Where are you from" she
asked.
"I'm q Teran," he Dragged, and
ttreD out his chest. And you
wdnt to be q page?"
He smiled. And I'll make
good one, too"
Miss Grow explained. Neither o
the two Texas Senators-Co Connolly o.
Sheppard-had pages. From Texas
the boy would not be eligible else
| where.
very WELL" he said, "I'll go back II
Texas-and when the time comes, II
run, for the Senate" He put on hi
hat and walked out Of the ONCE with
out leaving his name. AS he went
the secretarial force noticed that tn.
boy wore real cow-hand boots. This
then, was a Senator in the making
and no foolin'.
X
Down in ole Kentucky, In the con.
gressional district represented By
Glover H. Cary, there is an old ferry
man who is quite philosophical. He
claims that half the time it doesn1
make much difference which sid.
you're on, just so you're able to stane
on your own feet.
The old ferryman recalled to thu
Representative o case to illustrate hi.
point. Just as he was about to star
his ferry boat across the river ont
day a very much bedraggled indi'
vidual hailed him:
Mister" he said, please take mt
on the other side of the river. I'vt
got to get there, but haven't ever
got the scent fare"
The old ferryman drawled: "Ir
that case," he said, what difference
does 1t make what side Of the rive
you're on?"