Evening star., 1937-08-22
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL P. KENNEDY,

Representative Jim" Mead OF New
York, one of the most physically fit
members of Congress and big brother to
his less robust colleagues, emphasizes
that the last few strenuous days of the
session showed members better able to
take 1T as result Of their systematized
daily exercise in the House gymnasium,
which is equipped and supported with a
trainer in charge by voluntary contribu-
tions Of the members.
The gym now has seventy seven active
congressional members with twenty-five
States epresented-Michigan with eight
and New York with seven head the list
but for the records each State is rated
on percentage basis according to It's
quota Of members The administration,
OF the gym endeavors to keep a personal
record OF each member registered By
keeping the State records there is in
centive for members who appreciate the
good the gym does them physically to
jack up some of their State colleagues
who become lax in attendance, squirting
their State pride to do better team work
The utmost encouragement is given to
each and every member who is willing
to make his physical wellbeing routine,
regular business. Even a member who
attends regularly to play games. just for
sport sake, is not given as many points
credit as one who uses the equipment
steadily under the guidance Of the in
structor. Extra credits are given the
early morning exercisers Competitive
games are not encouraged to the sacri-
nee OF steady. regular and varied exer-
ciSes. How the member uses his gym
Is given more consideration in scoring his
record than how proficient he may be
at any particular game. The young Con-
gresham punching the bag vigorously
and the older member plugging away
steadily at weight machines and exer-
c1sers are each rated on fair balance
OF what physical improvement they get
out OF it. Individual records are avail
able only to the House Gymnasium Com
mlttee composed of Representatives
Mead, New York: Lambertson. Kansas:
O'Neal, Kentucky; DR.. Calver. the House
physician and David Lynn, architect of
the Capitol. State records are available
to any member inquiring about his States
standing.
Representative Allen T. Treadway OF
0VoNh0A Au6C, NAASS., uCdll VI lIIC EttpuU-
lican members in the House, is going
home for q big fete in his honor by
several thousands of his admiring con-
stituents, on September l8, at Mountain
Park, Holyoke, Mass. This tribute is not
In recognition of his recent achievement
IN leading the opposition in the famous
battle OF the Tidal Basin and the war
OF the Cherry Blossoms, which success
fvy1l &c
thorized 100000 Thomas Jefferson
Memorial in the Tidal Basin area on the
south axis from the White House. The
home folks are throwing the big party
for Treadway because he is just COM
pleting 10 years of active life and twenty
five years as member of Congress after
twelve years in both branches of the
State Legislature.
Another saga of the Great Northwest
Of the far frozen places of Alaska-has
just been written into legislative history
the story of the reindeer and the
Eskimo. The House on Friday passed
the bill to provide subsistence for the
Eskimo and other natives Of Alaska, by
establishing for them permanent and
self-sustaining economy, by encouraging
and developing native activity in all
branches of the reindeer industry The
Record with speeches by Delegate
Dimond and others who had studied the
question closely. and the committee re-
port prepared by Representative Grove
Of Indiana make very interesting reading
on this subject. It tells the story of the
coming of the white man to that region
and consequent disaster to the natives,
50 that come fifty years ago the Eskinos,
with their native food on both land and
sea depleted almost to determination,
they faced starvation. 1t tells how be-
tween forty-f1ve and thirty-nve years
ago l ,280 reindeer were imported from
Siberia, which have multiplied until they
now number several hundreds Of thou
sands-constituting today the most i'm
portant single element in the Eskimo
economy. It is story that folks living
In the crowded places Of our big cities,
frequenting night clubs. whose footsteps
echo down the cement corridors Of apart
ment houses. ought to read-it shows
them another side Of life and how other
psople live.
T.