Evening star., 1943-03-07
Capitol SideIights
By Will P. Kennedy.

The behind-the-scenes work of Con-
sress Is kept running smoothly because
both Senate and House have career men
In charge Of routine. Tomorrow Col.
Edwin A. Halsey completes 10 years Of
service a. secretary Of the Senate, while
last December he rounded out IS years
Of continuous employment by the Senate.
On January 8, South Trimble, veteran
clerk Of the House, entered upon his
1lth term in that once, having served
10 years, . previously during the Wilson
administration and 10 consecutively un-
der the Roosevelt administration. Mr..
Trimble also earlier served 8 years as q
Representative after having been Speak
er in the Kentucky Legislature. He viii
be - years old next month.
Col Halsey, now 81 years Of age, came
to the Capitol at the age Of Is to be
Senate page under the patronage OF his
uncle, the late Senator John w. Daniel.
For 16 years he was assigned to the Sen
ate press gallery, then as noor assistant
In charge Of pages. secretary OF the ma
jority and as assistant sergeant at arms.
He received his commission as colonel on
the STATS Of Cows. william M. Mann and
Henry q. Stuart Of Virginia. He has
served - sergeant at arms in the last
four Democratic National Conventions.
Both Col. Halsey and Mr.. Trimble have
built up career service for clerks and
other employees who perform essential
work for both houses Of Congress. They
both are consulted daily by many mem
bers OF their respective branches and act
IS counselors, confidantes and friends In
aiding members to straishten out per-
sonal. political and public problems. They
have proved Of invaluable assistance to
new members, helping them to get start
ed on their legislative duties and show
ing them the ropes, guiding them in
procedure.
Both Col. Halsey and Mr.. Trimble de-
vote much Of their time to research and
In the preparation Of authoritative docu-
ments which are helpful to members Of
Congress and others specially interested
in legislative procedure and congress
sional records. They are both jealous
Of the integrity, honor and prerogatives
of the Congress and Of their respective
houses. Mr.. Trimble now is engaged in
writing the history Of the famous Goebel
contest and murder, all details OF which
he knows intimately because he was
Speaker Of the State Legislature ut that
time. Col. Halseys ONCE, just across
the corridor from the Senate chamber,
Is conference club for Senators, and an
adjoining room serves As . luncheon club
where party plans and strategy are
considered.
Col. Halsey won prize for his 'Defini.
ton Of Democrat" framed copies Of
which hang on the walls Of many SEN
ators' ofices:
"A Democrat Is one who votes to ad.
here to the principles Of the party as ex-
pounded by Jefferson, jackson and Will
son, which assures personal liberty. free
dom Of religion, speech and press; equal
justice, industry, frugality and happi-
ness; which abhor corruption and priv
ileges. and which preserve inviolate the
Republic In vigor and union"
+
Speaker Rayburns ofhce on Wednes-
day and Thursday was the scene Of birth
day festivities. Representative Robert
Ramspeck Of Georgia, Democratic whip"
on Wednesday called the attention Of
the House to the fact that it was the
birthday anniversary Of "our competent,
eficient and lovable parlamentarian,
Lew Deschler, who has spent most Of his
adult Life In serving the House" and ex-
pressed doubt II any man In the his
tory Of Congress has ever been Of more
service to the members" Mr.. Deschler
Is 80 years Of age. He was appointed Z
messenger at the Speakers desk In the
House In December, 1925. Two years
later he was assistant parliamentarian.
He has been pariamentarian since jan
uary. 1928. under successive Republican
and Democratic administrations. He il
also editor Of the House Rules and
Manual. The next day. March I. the
assistant parnamsntariau, william T.
Roy. was q years q agA he has served
20 ysan in ~ Capitol.