Evening star., 1937-07-18
Capital Sidelights
BY UiLL p. KENNEDY

The National House Of Representatives
mas just lost three Of its veteran and
greatly loved emploves-Patrck J. Haiti
gan, reading clerk for 26 years. and
Joseph G.. Rodgers, an emplove for a
years, IS OF which he was sergeant at
arms under the Republican regime. both
by death, and by retirement at full pay
Tor lie, Harry Parker. colored messenger
OF the Ways and Means Committee, born
on the Mount Vernon estate, who came
to work on Capitol Hill first as a boot
black, and who has been 81 years in
service. These three were given the dis
JUNCTION OF being eulogized for their
services by Speaker Bankhead Minority
Leader Smell. Chairman Doughton of
the Ways and Means Committee and
other leaders.
The dean OF employees now in service is
William Andy Smith. clerk in charge
OF the Congressional Record at the Capt.
tol, who is completing his seth year.
In his day he was famous as an oarsman
and cockswain-and he is still famous for
his af1ablity and readiness to give eff
cient service. Next in seniority is Will
liam Tyler Page. completing 56 years.
whom Speaker Champ Clark jokinglv
insisted was born in the Capitol. Mr.,
Page was clerk of the House under the
Republican regime and was executive
secretary of the George WASHINGTON Bi
centennial Commission. He is nationally
known as author of The Americans
Creed"
When Joe" Rodgers was buried he
had six OF the veteran employees as pail
bearers, whose combined service totaled
236 years: Mr.. Page. with 56 wears,
Joseph j. Sinnott. doorkeeper. with 81
years, David Lynn. architect Of the Cap
ltol, with ~ years; A. E. Chaf1ee. read
ing clerk, with 81 years: Marcellus Shield.
clerk to the House Appropriations Com
mlttee, with 80 years, and Kenneth Rom
ney. sergeant at arms. with Is years.
Minority Leader Smell in announcing
Mr.. Rodgers death in the House said:
1T is with great deal of regret that 7
announce the death of another one of
our old trusted. courteous and popular
employees. 1t is a rather remarkable CO.
incidence that his death came so closely
after the death of that other much
respected and efficient employe Mr.. Halt
lgan. Mr.. Rodgers has been an employe
OF the House for nearly half century.
For nearly IS years he was sergeant at
arms OF the House. and since that time
he was special minority empoye. He
probably has known personally as MANY
members of the House during the last
50 TO 40 years AS any man connected with
the House, and l am sure there has been
no more popular employe, no man who
was more deeply interested in the work
OF the House, no man who would more
quickly go out of his way to do favor
to any member on either side of the
aisle than our willing friend. Joe Rodgers
1t was with very deep regret that I
heard Of his passing and know that his
friends on both sides of the aisle are
sorry to know that no longer when they
enter this chamber will they be greeted
by Joe's friendly smile, which was always
ready for any member. have been spe-
cially close to Joe Rodgers for many
years, and I am proud to call him my
longtime friend"
Representative Paul w. Schafer, for
mer newspaper reporter. editor and pub
lished and former municipal Judge, mem
Der Of the ROYAL Order of testers and of
the Guild of Former Pipe Organ Pump
ers has just closed out his personally
COHuuCteu INDUSTRIAL eHlllDlt IN MS once.
He wanted to 60 one better on members
OF Congress who brag about their dis
tricts, by showing what his district. the
third Michigan, produces So he put on
show with the cooperation of the
manufacturers and Chambers OF Com
merce.
Then. lest his colleagues might forget
what they saw he filled mesh bags with
samples OF breakfast foods. dog food,
paper washcloths and dust cloths. cheese
rolls. macaroons, key containers, window
washers, seed catalogues, maps and
booklets. His office looked like Santa
Claus filling station with red and white
bags heaped up in one end of his Office
ready for distribution. Visiting Boy
Scouts were entertained with cookies and
candies. More than 80 varieties of food
products were demonstrated. He empha-
sized particularly the paper manufac-
lures Of Kalamazoo and the food prod
ucts of Battle Creek but he impressed
his colleagues also with the record OF
health resorts and educational institu-
tions In his district.
A Profitless Operation.