(3 of 4)
Will you kindly settle a controversy pursuant to Speaker Garner's "Plea in Homespun"? (1) Is it customary for the Speaker of the House of Representatives to take the floor to deliver his opinion on an issue? (2) Has the seriousness of and widespread interest in the present movement to balance the budget given publicity to the Speaker's taking the floor which, at another time, might pass unnoticed?
JOSEPH R. NOEL
Chicago, Ill. 1) No. 2) No.
Speaker Garner's tax speech was the first use of his parliamentary privilege to join in House debate. As Speaker (1925-31) Nicholas Longworth descended the rostrum to address the House from the floor five times on such subjects as the Soldier Bonus, a Big Navy and the "Lame Duck" Amendment. Frederick Huntington Gillett (1919-25) spoke five times. During the eight years of his Speakership (1911-19) Champ Clark took the floor 18 times for regular debate and 45 times when the House was in the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union. His speeches produced much applause with members rising to their feet. Joseph Gurney Cannon (1903-11) spoke four times on the floor, six times in committee and four times (irregularly) from the chair. Thomas Brackett Reed (1889-91; 1895-99) spoke, according to the records, only "two or three times" from the floor whereas Charles Frederick Crisp (1891-95) spoke not at all. On March 15, 1871 Speaker James Gillespie Elaine indulged in an undignified and personal controversy with Representative Butler, also of Maine, on the House floor. Henry Clay (1811-14; 1815-20) spoke so often from the floor that he virtually used his prestige as Speaker to control and color all legislative procedure.—ED.
Imitators
Sirs:
Students of Penn State publish the Penn State Froth, clever college comic magazine. Last week appeared the parody number. Those magazines "parodied" included Liberty, True Confessions, Amazing Stories, and TIME. I am sending you the parody page of TIME. I think you will find it "curt, clear, complete."
Several days ago appeared The Log, comic magazine of the U. S. Naval Academy. It also is a parody on TIME even including the cover design, contents, style. Be sure to read it; it is interesting and cleverly written.
TIME seems to impress college students. There must be a reason.
ERNEST C. MILLER State College, Pa.
Sirs:
They do say that imitation is the sincerest form of plagiarism so I know you will be very interested to receive the copy of To-Day. . . .
Of course, To-Day may be operating under license from you in which case there is no harm done but if not then I feel sure you will be highly flattered at the shadow you have cast in these parts. . . .
Needless to say as a subscriber and cover-to-cover reader of TIME, I thought you would be interested in the exhibit.
DAVID MCMILLAN
Melbourne, Australia