Imperial Valley press., 1941-03-11
WASHINGTON, March II -


a new congressman a congressman?
Luther Patrick, At, congressman
from Birmingham, Ala, since 1886
and in his own words a World
War veteran, teacher writer, lawyer
and radio commentator took time
out on the floor Of the House of
Representatives the other day for
a Commute Grafton on that ques-
ton AS a piece of oIatory, it may
never grace the fifth readers or
the copy books, but as a piece of
exposition on the kind of haZing
a new congressman goes through,
it is Illuminating material for the
folks back home who vote to send
these people to Washington.
Congressman Patrick was very
fair about the whole thing Ten
days before he delivered his speech,
he warned the House he was going
to make it and what the subject
would be.
Il do not particularly encourage
attendance of anybody who has
been here over two years he said.
There is no way to force the new
congressman to attend. They may
or may not come. But they are
welcome"
Candor like this is unusual, and
the gent e man from A b m a
should go far. And he wasn't Civ
ing relief or advice, he Said-just
comfort and company. for the
problems that beset the new con-
gresham are the same ones that
beset the old.
DON'T SEND COMBS
TO RAYBURN
Congressman Patrick was frank
enough to admit that everything
he had to say was based on his
own mistakes. The first thing he
learned was that no member of the
lower House gets into an elevator
ahead of a senator Mastering that,
he went on to bigger and better
things and by swallowing the bit
ter pills of sad experience he alb
sorbed enough vitamin D to COM
pile his list of Dos and Donts.
Rule | is to avoid being original.
No matter what a congressman has
to say. it's safer to attribute it to
someone else quote. bllckety,
blickety blick. Unquote.'
There is no congressional rule
prohibiting new congressman
from speaking if he has something
to say, but Patrirks Rule 2 for
new congressman is to be sure
they're not mistaken about having
something to say. A congressman
is usually beaten On something he
has said.
Rule 3 is to avoid making prom
ises back home. Tell young ladies
at home you'll introduce them to
Mrs. Roosevelt, and she's sure to be
out of town when the home folks
arrive and ask you to make good
If there is personal experience
behind Patrick's Rule 4, he won't
admit it, but the rule is: Don't
send Speaker Rayburn comb for
Christmas. Up. s. He's bald)
And for Rule 5-Don't try TO
beat the senator with a telegram
relaying news about the letting OF
a government contract in the home
district. That's the senator's privi-
lege, and furthermore, the best way
for a new congressman TO com
municate with a government de-
partment is by telephone-through
the senator's office.
A good many congressman go
through their terms without see
ing the inside of the Congressional
Library, but Patrick's next point
is to keep up on general reading
Rule Family ties are just as
important in Washington as else
where, and the homeliest girl often
makes the best secretary. Enough
said, but there's .corollary to that
No congressman Is ever greater
than his secretary,
A congressman has to watch his
beauty, too, and Rule is never to
let the features relax or droop.
Sure as he does, a photographer
will pop up from a paw paw bush
or a sofa and catch him at his
worst.
Next is TO avoid prophesying the
outcome of the war
Rule-10 Let not your heart be
troubled when those who oppose
you say, IIe's been in Congress x
years, ana what has ne done?'
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