Evening star., 1945-05-13
Capital Sidelights
BIZ Will 2. Kennedu.

Efforts being made by comparative
newcomers to Congress to streamline
House procedure to save time and pro-
mote efficiency remind observers at the
Capitol of long steps in that direction
which have been taken during the past
two decades under the lead of one un-
obtrusive member. After having been
a college professor of history and prac-
ticing law, Representative Clarence
Cannon of Missouri came to the Capitol
more than 35 years ago as clerk to the
late Champ Clark, was later his parlia-
mentarian, is now in his 23d year of
service as Speaker Clark's successor in
the House, has been parliamentarian of
the Democratic National Conventions
since 1920, is now chairman of the APP
preparations Committee and dean of the
Missouri delegation. Throughout these
active years he not only put the prece-
dents of House procedure into readily
usable form, with supplemental pocket
handbook on procedure, but he also
brought about the following improve
ments in simplifying and expediting
Mouse dCJlOQ.
Introduced original system Of stand
ardizing journalization of proceedings.
precluding points of order on the
journal;
Is the author of a compendium on
House procedure which has reduced by
three-fourths the time formerly devoted
to debate on parliamentary questions
and to large extent has nullified and
eliminated obstructive tactics;
Facilitated proceedings of the House
by introduction of mechanical count on
roll calls, by installation of amplifying
equipment reducing disorder on the floor
and in the galleries, by advocating dis
card of prefix on rollcalls and by dis
continuation of the practice of members
announcing how colleagues would have
voted if present;
Secured adoption of a resolution estab-
fishing the Democratic Steering Com
mittee.
AS war chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, he reported the larg-
est war appropriations in history and
the heaviest reduction in nonwar appro-
priations in the annals of Congress:
Introduced the system of committee
procedure which has reduced time re-
quired for hearings and volume of
transcripts;
Established an investigating staff
which has resulted in reduction of ap-
preparations and expenditures at min
imum operating cost;
Secured Standardization of qualitica-
tions and method of appointment of
permanent employees of the committee;
Reported practically all appropriation
bills during the critical period of the
war by unanimous vote of the COM
mittee.
Years ago the late William Tyler Page,
clerk of the House, in a speech before
the Missouri State Society on the con-
tributions made by Missourians in Fed
eral Government, cited Clarence Cannon
as one Of those who even then had made
outstanding service records.
X X X "
Senator David I. Walsh of Massachu-
sets. chairman of the Naval Affairs
Committee, has called attention to the
excellent postwar educational plan in
augurated by the knights of Columbus
A fund of s1,ooo,Ooo is set up to provide
a college education for the orphan sons
and daughters of members of the society
who lose their lives in World War II,
or who become totally disabled from
military causes. He stated that more
than 10000 Knights of Columbus have
entered the armed forces, and that more
than 1000 members have lost their lives
or are missing in action. The plan was
submitted to the Veterans Administra-
ton and approved by Gen. Hines and
his staff. No legislation yet has pro-
vided for the college education OF chill
dren of veterans who have lost their
lives in combat. Senator Walsh said
he hoped this example would be fol-
lowed by other Nationwide fraternal
organizations.