Evening star., 1939-11-19

Congressman think about his
job? This reporter found out
phen he wandered in on one
,Ueary legislator preparing for the
homeUard trek after the special
session ended. Because Con-
gresham could lose potes for
barring his soul in public, the
names and places in this inter-
Die1D-story haze been made tcti-
tiouS
BY JOSEPH H. SHORT,
Associated Press Staff Writer.
The Congressman was packing to
go home
well. I guess you're glad to be
getting off for a rest" said his
visitor.
Glad! Rest" the Congressman
exploded. Il never rest and I'm not
glad to go home. Id like to stay
here all the time, but that's not the
way to stay in Congress.
"Why - he doomed.
Here's my schedule: 1t takes five
days hard driving to get home. The
morning after I arrive I'll address
the Early Worms Breakfast Club
at am. That will be Sunday.
81 hope to spend the rest of the
day with my wife and daughter, be-
cause I won't see much of them
from then on.
Il have appointments all day
Monday with constituents until 4
pm. Then I have to drive ITS miles
to Red Beet. I'm speaking at the
Red Beet Farmers, Merchants and
Bankers Luncheon Club-their an
nual dinner-at pm
Late to Bed, Early to Rise.
Those boys at Red Beet are good
fellows and loyal supporters, but
they don't know when to bust up a
meeting. 1t will be II before that
dinners over and then I'll have to
visit around with Joe and Charley
for awhile. They turned in an al
most perfect score for me in their
precincts last year.
'I'll be lucky if I get away by /
which means won't be in bed be-
fore 4:30. I haven't any appoint
ments for Tuesday morning, but that
won't make any difference.
Around am my wife will break
the news gently that there's con-
stituent on the phone.
"'What the nells wrong with you
Congressman that you have to sleep
all the time he'll say. He's down
at my Office waiting to see me.
I'll tell him come on up to the
house and have a cup of coffee.
my wife'll serve us breakfast
Before he leaves, there1l be other
calls. I'll be tied down there with
conferences until just time to get to
International Club luncheon down.
town.
Engagements Galore.
That's my Tuesday speaking en-
gagement. have a speech sched-
uled every day for the first eight
days I'm home. I have tentative
engagements to fill the following
two weeks. There are others
haven't heard about yet.
II make it point to fill every
speaking engagement can. That's
the best way to get over what
you're doing and why you're doing
it-but it's hard work!
Then, there'll be the devil knows
how many people who'll have to
see me. There are hundred or two
I've got to see myself. And, I'll only
be home seven weeks.
"It's no fun, l tell you. I'll be
glad to start the drive back here
I may get away few days early
and take it easy coming through
the country. That's the most rest
I ever get.
Sometimes" he changed his tone
"I think Congressman are the un-
happiest people on earth. They
have to work all the time. Every
two years they must stand for elec-
ton. They get $4,000 a year. but
in my case and many others you
can only figure about $500 for
yourself and family.
"You have to make contributions
to a lot of causes. It costs money
to campaign. 1t costs money to
live in Washington. You have to
maintain residence at home.
Campaigning Is "In the Blood"
Il suppose you wonder why we
keep on running Well, something
gets in your blood. I could 60 back
home and practice law again. !
could clear much more money than
I'm clearing now. Maybe I wouldn' I
make $4,000, but I'd certainly have
more than I have now for myself
But I don't want to do it.
8 ~ L. LII - A..l. 3