Evening star., 1946-01-06
Capital Sidelights
BIZ Will p. Kennedu.

Congress l946 revised edition Of "Our
American Government: What Is It?-
How Does 1t Function?" in question:
and-answer form, soon will be sent to
schools and libraries throughout the
country. The compilation of this book,
one OF the most practical works on
Government, with authoritative In
formation on all phases of Federal
activities in compact form, has been a
special self-imposed task of Represent
ative Wright Patman of Texas. He
placed in the Congressional Record,
September IL, 1910, the first batch of
l38 pertinent questions and answers
which were later reprinted in pamphlet
form. Distributed by members of Con-
gress, the publication promptly became
so popular with school authorities.
Librarians, study clubs and civic organ
izations that periodic revisions of the
instructive material as a public docu-
ment have been authorized by a House
resolution on motion of Chairman Pete
Jarman Of the Committee on Printing.
In ls41 this Comprehensive Story of
the History and Functions of Our Amer
lean Government Interestingly and
Accurately Portrayed" contains 252
questions and answers, with illustrations,
charts and index-and a second edition
of 5000 copies had to be printed to meet
the demands. In addition to the dis
tribution by members of Congress. it
was placed on sale by the superintendent
of documents, Government Printing
Offlce, at 20 cents copy. One university
ordered and paid for 10000 copies and
sent them to all its former students
Many members Of Congress, after ex
hausting the allotment of $50 copies to
each OF them for free distribution, have
purchased copies by the tens of thou
sands at $1750 per thousand to meet re-
quests they received from schools, home
demonstration clubs and land-grant COL
leges. More than score of United
States district judges have purchased
copies in wholesale lots to present, with
their compliments, to newly made
citizens when they receive their natural
lzation papers. A New England college
president purchased 1000 copies for
distribution in high schools and sent
in supplemental order for an extra
1000 copies.
Ernest S. Griffith, director of the
Legislative Reference Service has CO.
operated with Representative Patman
In the preparation of this document. as
has also the United States Information
Service. 1t is used as a textbook in
many schools, because it contains con-
else information especially about Con-
gress and the three coordinate branches
OF Government that usually is not con-
tanned in school and college textbooks
Typical of the new material in the
Forthcoming 1946 revision are: Only IL
times has Congress passed acts which
can be considered as declarations of war
(enumerating them). Seven Vice Pres
idents have succeeded to the presidency
by reason of vacancy in that Office
(enumerating them and the length of
their service. What is meant by day-
light saving time and war time? What
is the Presidents flag and seal? What
and when was VI day, also We day?
Who appoints the librarian of Con-
gress and how many have served in
that office? What is the original of the
Great Seal of the United States? What
is meant by rider" on a congressional
bill? What is meant by classified
civil service"2