MAN WITH COMPLAINT UNFURLS BANNER IN HOUSE GALLERY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 15, 1924, a man sitting to the rights of the Speaker's rostrum in the gallery of the United States House of Representatives threw a banner over the railing which had a multitude of words printed on it. According to the Evening Star, the words could be read "with difficulty" by members on the floor.
The banner, 3 feet square with a blue border dotted with 48 stars, was torn down by assistant doorkeeper James Griffin and the man who had unfurled it was taken into custody by doorkeeper Bert Kennedy.
The Speaker asked that the man be escorted out of the Capitol and "sent on his way."
The words on the banner expressed a complaint about how he had been treated in District Court. It read, in part...
"I, John Martinowaski, charge U.S. Attorney Peyton Gordon* of the District of Columbia with misconduct and neglect."
*Peyton Gordon (1870-1946) was born in Washington, D.C. & graduated from Columbian University (GWU) School of Law 1891. PG served in the US Army 1917-1918 & was Associate Justice of the District Court of the U.S. for the District of Columbia, 1921-1928.
SOURCE
"Accusing Banner Unfurled In House," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 15, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
