"WAR ON BUGS DECLARED BY HOUSE"

EXTERMINATION OF INSECTS 'WHEREVER FOUND' AROUND CAPITOL AUTHORIZED

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 27, 1922, the Evening Star reports a "war on bugs" around the Capitol building was declared yesterday by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The House authorized the extermination of "insects wherever found."  Reading the resolution incorrectly, Representative John Nance Garner* (D-Texas) inquired as to whether the Senate "is the only place where there are bugs."

Representative Clifford C. Ireland** (R-Illinois) replied, "Oh, no, there are a few in the House."

Senator James A. Reed*** (D-Missouri) referred to the House action as "something practical."

*John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner (1868-1967) was born in Red River County, Texas & served in the US House of Representatives 1903-1933 & as VPOTUS 1933-1941.

**Clifford C. Ireland (1878-1930) was born in Washburn, Illinois & graduated from the University of Wisconsin & Illinois School of Law.  CCI served in the US House of Representatives 1917-1923)

***James Alexander Reed (1861-1944) was born in Richland County, Ohio & served as mayor of Kansas City 1904-1906 & in U.S. Senate 1911-1929.

 JFK+50 NOTE

 At 10:15 a.m. Central Time, November 22, 1963, JFK's last phone call may have been made to former VP Garner from Fort Worth.  The President called to wish Mr. Garner well on his 95th birthday.  Garner said "You're my President.  I love you."

SOURCES

"House Declares War On Insects Around Capitol," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 27, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Hours before Dallas:  A Recollection by President Kennedy's Fort Worth Advance Man, Part 3," by Jeb Byrne, Summer 2000, Prologue Magazine, National Archives, www.archives.gov/ 

 

 

U.S. Capitol

1922 U.S. Postage Stamp

U.S. Post Office

Smithsonian National Postal Museum 

"FORDNEY SAYS HOUSE WILL PASS SOLDIER BONUS BILL"

HOUSE DEMOCRATS OBJECT TO REPUBLICANS MEETING IN 'SECRET SESSION' WITH LEGION REP

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 17, 1922, Chairman Joseph W. Fordney* (R-Michigan) of the House Ways and Means Committee said that the soldier bonus bill will be reported to a Republican caucus within the next ten days "and a Republican house will pass it."

The chairman's statement followed debate on the floor of the House of Representatives during which Congressman John N. Garner** (D-Texas) objected to Republican members calling in an American Legion representative to meet with them in "secret session."

In a related development, the National Grange sent letters to Congressmen in opposition to a sales tax to pay for the soldier bonuses or "for any other purpose."

*Joseph Warren Fordney (1853-1932) was born in Hartford City, Indiana & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1899-1923.   JWF was co-sponsor of the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922 which raised tariff rates on many imported goods.

**John Nance Garner (1868-1967) was born in Red River, Texas & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1903-1933.  JNG was VPOTUS under FDR 1933-1941.  On the morning of Nov 22 1963, President John F. Kennedy called the former VP to wish him a happy birthday. 

SOURCE

"Uproar In House On Soldier Bonus," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 17, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Joseph W. Fordney

(R-Michigan)

Bain News Service Photo

Library of Congress