A Call On The Speaker

Cannon's Informal Reply to a Michigan Delegation's Spokesman

The members of the Michigan delegation in the house put on their long coats and wore their high hats, and all went to see Speaker Cannon the other day to ask about their committee places, says the Washington correspondent of the New York World.

William Alden Smith was spokesman. They lined up in front of the desk where Cannon sat in a dinky little coat, with a cigar jammed in the corner of his mouth.

Then Mr. Smith delivered an oration which dwelt on the glories of the Wolverene State and the talents and abilities of the speaker in equal measure and wound up with the request that Michigan--imperial Michigan--should not be neglected when it carne to committee places.

Uncle Joe arose. He seemed to feel the lack of a long coat and a high hat. He concealed the stump of his cigar in his hand. "Gentlemen," he said, "I appreciate all your eloquent spokesman has said about Michigan, and I feel deeply the honor of this visit. I am sure you are all aware of the perplexities-- Oh, what's the use? Boys, I'll do the best I can for you, and cut the oratory out."