AMERICAN WAYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1939, Page 5

AMERICAN WAYS

CONGRESS AS POPULAR SHOW

FAMILIES IN LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER. TODDLERS RUN BETWEEN BENCHES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WASHINGTON. January 3. Light-hearted members gave no indication of the heavy responsibility to be borne this session when an unusually important Congress assembled today.

There is an informality about the American House of Representatives rather intriguing to British countries. Some Congressmen took their families into the Chamber, and toddlers can between the benches making triends, while gum-chewing juniors sat wide-eyed alongside their proud fathers. Unable to find a chair, one Congressman's wife sat on her husband's cnee. Throughout the proceedings the din on the floor was exceeded only by the chatter from the galleries. The Gavel thudded vainly tffl the chorus of "shushing” quietened the members of the public. Then 417 Congressmen gaily answered the roll-call under the glare of arclights before a battery of movie cameras. The Chamber was dotted with microphones broadcasting the opening ceremony throughout the nation. The House loud-speaker system is being tried out this session, but broadcasting has been banned because of fear that the members will talk too long. Photographers included a rebel Congressman who says he is taking a camera and sound record of the session, explaining: "If the electors see how like apes some Congressmen behave, maybe they will not return them.” Looking on was a man who has seen more openings than any living being. He is Harry Parker, negro ex-messen-ger, of unknown age, who has not missed a session in 67 years. Rocking himself in a chair which President McKinley gave him, old Harry beamed: “Ah has mah pension, but Ah has mah duty, too. Ah. always comes back.”

Congressman William Bankhead, of Alabama, father of the actress Tallulah Bankhead, was re-elected Speaker.