The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-09-27
Washington Report
BY HELEN ESSARY

BY HELEN ESSARY
WASHINGTON.-The capitol of the United
States is looking mighty fine this late Septem-
Der. It's shining with the good intentions of
the lawmakers plus a gallon or two three
of brass and window polish.
A strong current of clear air is blowing
through the Corridors The returning legis-
lators brought it with them from that recent
refresher course they had back in their dis
tricts.
The capitol is pleasanter place to go now
adays than it was the hot, stale days of July
before congress adjourned for the recess.
Also you can tell by the look in the legislative
eye that the lawmakers have returned to
Washington recharged for good works.
They have taken on an extra muscle, too.
Some of them have been saving wood-not
entirely political wood, either. The majority
leader in the senate, Alben Barley, got a
mowin' blade and an axe and a hammer and
saw and some nails and went to work on the
meadows, the woods and the fences of his
old Kentucky home. He filled in for the hired
man now gone to war. He said he had hard
time getting timber down there where he
came from. You had to wait for the cypress
to grow up into stable trees before you could
cut it down.
Senator Barley told good story the other
day when somebody asked him for an opinion
on the foreign policy of the Republican party.
He said he'd have to give an answer that
was about as definite as the sermon OF
parson down home The parson didn't want
to hurt his congreg CATIONS feelings by being
too sharp so he said, Il implore you to
change your ways-in measure. Refrain
from sinning-to certain extent. Or you'll
be damned-as it tWere."
Alben Barley is a capable and conscien-
tious laWmaker who as President Roosevelts
spokesman in the senate, has had to dodge
many missile aimed at the White House
without knowing exactly how the White House
wanted him to dodge.
Another popular southern lawmaker, Senator
Sam Rayburn, is back briskly tending to the
administrations business in the capitol. The
gentleman from Texas cut pink and blue
birthday cake the other day in celebration of
his third year as speaker of the house.
said to Mr.. Sam, as they call him down in
the Fourth district:
You're certainly a man OF ability and in
tegrity, but there must be other reasons for
your long success in public life" The speaker
was in the Texas legislature when he barely
was out of his teens.
'Well,' said Mr. Sam, picking his words
carefully. II always believe in people. I
trust people and they never let me down.
When campaign time comes around, l don't
make lot OF raise, high falutn promises.
l just say I'll do the best I can. And 1 keep
my WOlu NOW lOOhlHS OoSh q 1ltIS, IL JOu IL
permit me- for the 30 years since l first came
to Washington the house of representatives
has been my whole life"
A nice life to have, l thought. Nice in
many ways. A life of power and national &C
complishment. The capitol is happy place
to work in too. The offices of the speaker
are particularly agreeable shop.
There are many such agreeable offices in
the capitol. They give you feeling of per-
poanence Make Won know that the American
world is going we'll. No wonder the members
of congress like to. come back year after year
to such workshops.
The White House is a pleasant place, too.
It's also one of the finest boarding houses in
the world. I'd like to live in those lovely
rooms and be waited on by all those atten-
tive people.
Unexpected incidents break the routine of
the capitol nowadays A sightseeing crowd
paused one day in the corridor outside a
closed door just across from the senate lunch
room to hear the sounds of the gospel hymn
II Want to Be Ready Lord" A luncheon
favored with religion was in progress behind
the door. Ever often a waiter hurried in
with a big tray of food. Then the singing
would STOP
Soon an intelligent young man, George 5.
Kendall came out to explain the gathering to
me. He is a theological student, but is about
to go off to war. The singing luncheon was
his idea, he said. 1t occurred to him that
many people must be looking for some spirit
ual inspiration to stir into their daily food
Kendall sent out inquiries to various dis
trict organizations members of congress and
to capitol employees. He got Homer Rodeheav-
err who used to be with Evangelist Billy SUN
day, to lead the singing.
There are no sermons. Instead a few words
of introduction by Senators Capper, Green
Gillette, Van Mugs or perhaps Congressman
Gillie or Spranger or any one of so other
members. "All kinds of people like to come
to the luncheons,'' said Kendall, and hurried
back to suggest another hymn.