Evening star., 1942-02-08
Capital SideIights
BIZ Will P. Kennedy.

hennetn HOmney, veteran sergeant
at arms of the House, runs a bank for
members and Capitol employees which
does as much business as most city banks.
Part of the banks equipment is "rogues'
gallery" of autographed portraits of the
members, for purposes of Identification.
This bank is visited daily by practically
every member and his ONCE force. One
of the attractive decorations In this bank
is an all-American calendar, behind
which there is an interesting story. Years
ago the late Diamond Jim" Brady COM
missioned the famous portrait painter
A. j. Rowell to do ivory and gold minia-
ture oil paintings Of each Of the Presi-
dents for $4,000. Before the commission
was completed Mr.. Brady died and the
portraits were acquired by Theodore r.
Gerlach, then president Of the Gerlach-
Barklow Co., photographers, Joliet, Ill.
Later. as new Presidents were elected.
Mr.. Rowell was commissioned to paint
their portraits in uniform style with the
original collection. AS patriotic con-
tribution, realizing that these portraits
possess an unusual educational value,
Mr.. Gerlach caused reproductions to be
made in colors, and these appear on the
calendar in Mr.. Romneys bank. On the
reverse Of the calendar is additional in
formation of educational and historical
interest: An authentic story Of the max
ing of the Constitution, verbatim copy
of the Constitution with spelling, phrase
ology and capitalization the same as in
the original, all amendments to the
Constitution, brief but comprehensive
biographies of the Presidents and in
formation concerning the Presidents
families.
The traffic problem in Washington for
defense workers and oficials is trivial,
Representative George A. Dondero Of
Michigan points out. in comparison with
the problem for thousands working
directly in defense production plants. He
emphasized that at one of our Navy
yards 5000 workers travel by auto be-
tween so and IS miles round trip daily
and that in one of the larger plants,
where access is solely by passenger cars,
$4,000 workers drive 20 miles to and from
their jobs each day, with an additional
$500 workers to be added within s>couple
of months. At one Of the most important
aircraft plants, he explains, "a per cent
Of all employees commute by auto and 40
per cent could not get there in any other
way
y
Representative Martin J. Kennedy Of
New York has urged his colleagues to
sponsor an impressive Nationwide OBJ
servance of Washington's birthday this
year. although it comes on Sunday and
Congress will not be in session for the
customary reading of Washington's fare
well address, delivered September 19.
1876. He suggested that pilgrimages
should be arranged to visit Washington's
tomb at Mount Vernon, and quoted the
noted English statesman Lord Brougham
regarding the veneration that should be
paid to ''the Father of His Country"
He also advised his colleagues to read
Edward Everetts "Oration on the Char
acter of Washington"
Before starting on his career as one
Of the most popular cartoonists IN the
country, Clifford K. Bergman OF The
Star. was q craftsman in the Patent
once, as was also the famous artist.
James Abbot Mcneil Whistler q drafts
man in the Coast and Geodetic Survey.