Evening star., 1944-03-17
Congress Criticized.
To the Editor Of The Star.

To the Editor OF The Star:
The other day I had luncheon at the
Capitol in company with a number of
members Of Congress and came away
much impressed with the thought that
few of them knew or cared much about
present or future conditions in the
world outside of their individual dis
tricts.
Strange as it may seem, most Of the
Congressman apparently had not even
a superficial knowledge of the problems
which will have to be solved before long,
II there is to be any real hope for peace
and prosperity in the years to come
When we consider that the United
States is going to be called upon to
help finance all kinds of schemes for
rehabilitation and reconstruction in
the devastated areas throughout the
world as well as for economic stability
here at home, and that Congress will
have to vote the money required for
such projects, it is both sad and serious
to discover that the men who should be
best posted know nothing and care even
less what is and what is to be, outside
OF their own congressional districts. y
OF course, if members of Congress
want to remain on the payroll, their
best bet is to keep on the right side of
the voters in their own districts, and
there Is little doubt that most of them
seeking to avoid criticism are prone to
"say nothing, do nothing and be
nothing" which might give opponents
at home chance to garner votes at
the next election.
But the problems which face us now
and will face us In the near future are
not going to be solved properly unless
the elected representatives Of the people
have thorough understanding of
these problems and are able to vote for
constructive measures and against de-
structive legislation.
At home most congressman are big
fish in small ponds, but in Washing
ton they are minnows in a very big
ocean and remain such unless re-elect-
ed for several terms or until advanced
by seniority to top spots on important
committees. Naturally, some new men,
bers, with individual color and smart
publicity agents, get front page no.
tices once in a while, especially when
they first appear on Capitol Hill, but
most times this Is just a flash in the
pan and so far as influence on other
Congressman is concerned, the results
are something less than nil.
BY and large, no one can dispute the
fact that we have very few statesmen
among our representatives at the Capt.
tol. Maybe this is because it is more
important, If one wants to remain in
Congress, to be good politician and
it Is OF more advantage to be up and
doing in affairs which are Of special
interest to the home district voters
than to spend time studying what is
for the best interests Of the country
as whole.
1t would be ideal If it were possible,
for our elected representatives to adopt
broad view on all legislative matters
when they took their seats at the Capi-
tol. Few bills upon which they are
required to vote have or should be
allowed to have purely local or po-
ntical flavor. They should be for, bv
and OF the best interest of all the
people.
Read the Congressional Record and
learn now much time is taken up with
Senseless debates and be convinced that
II all the loose chatter was eliminated
congressman would have much more
time to study vital legislation, fitting
themselves to doing a much better
all-around job. Teamwork and real
knowledge are necessary to solve the
problems ahead of us 1t is time all
Americans, regardless of party. prepare
to meet our obligations to present and
future generations
JOSEPH CACCAVAJO.