"UNCLE JOE CANNON QUITS...SMOKING"
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 29, 1922, the Evening Star informs its readers that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Joseph G. Cannon,* has quit smoking**.
What makes this news front-page worthy is that the Speaker "has been visualized with the inevitable cigar in his mouth...ever since he has been in the public eye."
The Star characterizes this news as calling for "pause for amazement, consternation...and incredulity." Concern is expressed for how cartoonists will depict the Speaker without his cigar.
How did Old Joe accomplish this feat?
According to the Star, "well, he says he just up and stopped."
JFK+50 NOTE
Uncle Joe Cannon died in a deep sleep at the age of 90. He had a weakened heart & suffered from the general effects of old age. We do not know if he resumed smoking at any time after quitting or how his years of smoking adversely affected his health.
When comedian George Burns was on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show at age 93, he said that he smoked 15 cigars a day. Johnny asked, "but what does your doctor say?" George answered, "He's dead!"
*Joseph Gurney Cannon (1836-1926) was born in Guilford County, North Carolina & served as Speaker of the House of Representatives (R-Illinois) 1903-1911. JGC is considered to be the most dominant Speaker in US history. In 1962, the House Office Building was named in his honor.
**Cigars, containing nicotine, are just as harmful as cigarettes. Smoking them increases the chances for developing lung & throat cancers as well as gum disease & tooth loss.
SOURCE
"Uncle Joe Quits Smoking; Strange But Only Too True," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 29, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
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