Evening star., 1942-12-27
Capital SideIights
BY Will P. Kennedy.

When Will Rogers, jr.. comes in to the
new Congress on January he will be
under the penetrating gaze of his father,
the late Will Rogers. cowboy philosopher,
who so often poked his quips at Con-
greSS. A bronze statue of the Oklahoma
humorlst stands in corner of the short
corridor approach to the House chamber
from the old Statuary Hall, and looks
directly towards the spot where his son
will stand while taking the oath. The
1edgeling Congressman cannot but feel
the spirit of his parent lowering over
him. Will Rogers efigy is sought by
many visitors to the Capitol It is one
of the most characteristic OF all the
statues contributed by the several States.
The closing session of the Seventy
seventh Congress, recently adjourned
sine Gle, was considered by many persons
to be the most trying session In recent
years. There was long tense period
OF historically important legislation af-
fecting the fate of the world But, evi-
IDENTIFY Congressman thrive on tension
and hectic legislative excitement, for the
session just closed stands out with
record valetudinarianism During the
past year there were only three deaths
in the HoLse-the best record in manv
neutrality-suspicious. Pat Boland of
Pennsylvania, whip of the House;
Frank Buck, California active member
of the Ways and Means Committee and
Philip A. Bennett. Republican, of Mis-
souri,, former Lieutenant Governor, editor
and publisher of a newspaper for II
years.
Senator Charles o. Andrews of Florida
played smart trick. He had his Christ
mas greetings to constituents and friends
printed in the Congressional Record and
reprinted mot at Government EXPENSE
on f1yleaf that he sent to many per-
sons. 1t was composed by distinguished
member Of the District of Columbia bar.
who served as a captain with the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Forces during the
First World War-James Patrick Nc
Govern. The verses are as follows:
The War Effort.
Effort for this war? In freedoms hour
And very life's? Vain word of compro-
To dull our Nations will to win, our
power,
While civilization falters-lives or dies
Effort for this war? Best terms are tame
But this breathes doubt. and men who
falter fail.
When action must follow thought like
ball and flame
And strength and truth inevitably must
prevail
Effort for this war? The martial call
To warriors on land, in sky, on sea,
Fortifying them to give lives-all.
For love Of the Nations reverent men,
ory?
Effort for this war? At home, even these
Must serve with fullest heart and
readiest hand
While light at Armageddon overthrows
Darkness, so that peace may smile in
every land.
Representative Wilbur Cartwright. a
going out member, who recently was paid
extraordinary tribute in the House when
he bade his colleagues of many years
"good-by," has just sent to his constitu-
ents the last of his weekly letters. It
contains number of pithy sentences:
The United States is still young and
growing-time and the stork march on"
Protect the birds. The dove brings
peace and the stork tax exemption" TT
sounds as If some Congressman were
living beyond their income taxes" THE
difference between death and taxes Is
that death doesn't get worse each time
Congress meets" SLAP the Japs and
swat the Axis; don't forget to pay your
taxes" p. S.: II don't want much for
Christmas. Just peace on earth and VIC
tory for the Allies. And I'd love Hit,
Mus and TOTO in cage"
1t was Light Horse Harry Lee" father
Of Gen. Robert E. Lee. who paid tribute
IN Congress at the time Of George Wash.
ington's death to the Father of His
Country" as First in war; first in peace,
and first In the hearts Of his country
men,"
John Adams, "our unhappiest Presi-
dent" desired no other inscription on
hin tomhatdoA than. "f3era Hes .Joh,