The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-16
He May Be Baby of Congress But His Heads On Straight
YoungsterFr Texas Is
 Johnny-on-Spot
BY BRUCE CAPTION NEA Service Staff Correspondent


 Washington, Jan 16.-This city has seen lots of baby congressman, and it has good reason to warm up to them slowly. Let new legislator show up who is more than usually young, and it will give him all kinds of chances to make an ass of him. self-and if he takes them wash ington will be off him for good.
 But the baby of the 76th Con- gress apparently is going to get along all right, and if he stubs his toe over anything it won't be be- cause he wasn't watching.
 The baby is Congressman Lind ley Beckworth of the third con- gressional district of Texas, who is only 25.
 "TheyIl get you to do lot of fool things, if you aren't careful, he says in his pleasant Texas drawl.
 "Take the photographers. They've wanted me to do lots of things Like fo- instance they wanted me to go down to the gymnasium and pose for lot of pictures, exercising. " CYou cont blame the photogra- phers: Congressman Beckworth looks like a first-rate halfback0. IN WASHINGTON
 DO AS AT HOME
 Well, thatd just have been silly. I never go into gymnasiums down home. Why should I up here? If I did I'd just make myself look ridiculous. And then there'd be plenty of people" - he grinned- "including some of the unreconciled ones back in my own district, who'd point to the pictures and say, 'See!'
 But the trial by photographer is only one of the ordeals a new congressman faces. Beckworth's first day was typical.
 Up early and to the office to answer a flood of letters. To the Capitol at 11:30 to find seat in the House before it convened. Shaking hands with other new members, everybody very cordial. (Beckworth had already met his fellow-TeXan, Vice-PreSident Gar ner, in Texas) Staying through the WIlOlC OCSSlOll. Wll4Ill Ol1ly GiDOub half the House members did The rest of the afternoon and evening back at the office Then home to the rooming house, two miles from the Capitol, where he is sharing a room with his father temporarily.
 Eeckworth thought the opening session was not as impressive in cersmonial as he had expected.
 E looks to him as though he wilt be too busy to have much social life.
 GOT THERE
 EARLY
 like all wise new legislators, Beckworth has been on the job for several weeks before the session opcned. There are endless little pre- lim.naries. He had to bring his cer- tificate of election to the clerk of the House, so he could formally be put on the payroll. He had to at- tend party caucuses at which he stated his choice for committee as- signments (which may or may not be granteO. Beckworth asked for agriculture, internal and foreign commerce, foreign affairs, roads, in sular affairs, and postoffices and post roads What he will get, as a new congressman, may be some thing else again.
 Then he had to file with the superintendent of buildings his choice for an office, but here again he must yield to seniority if some congressman with longer service wants the office he has picked out.
 He has to straighten up his mile age credit for the trip to Washing x ton and open his stationery account credit of $125. He must file list of his clerical staff and open his an- nual credit of $5,000 for clerical hire.
 He must apply for his congress sional auto license tag, which en- titles him to freedom from park ing tickets when on official busi- ness.
 He must check over his office fur niture to see that it is satisfactory. and ask for new if it is not, in- cluding the two typewriters the gov ernment furnishes.
 He must get his name on the list for copies of the Congressional Di-