Bloom's Shave

When Congress wants to stage a celebration it has an infallible formula: the whole thing is put in the hands of Representative Sol Bloom. Born 67 years ago in Pekin, Ill., of Polish-Jewish descent, reared in San Francisco, Sol had developed into a Manhattan real-estate man and music publisher before Tammany Hall, sensing his peculiar talents, elected him to Congress. For the past 14 years his Neanderthal forehead, nose and chin have distinguished him in Congress. So have his activities.

At one time he crusaded for reformation of the immigration laws to put an end to a serious U. S. shortage of servant girls. Another time he helped prevent the adoption of Daylight Saving Time in the District of Columbia by pointing out that the "hungry lions and ravishing tigers" in the Washington zoo would set up "such a howl as you never heard" if their feeding-hours were changed. Minister Michael MacWhite of the Irish Free State still remembers arranging an audience with the Pope in Rome to which Sol went wearing several dozen rosaries so as to have them blessed for his Irish constituents at home. Later Sol bent all his talents for several years to directing George Washington's Bicentennial celebration, and succeeded so well in indoctrinating the U. S. with patriotism that his wife Evelyn spent a whole summer with him in sweltering Washington because, as she explained: "If Martha Washington could stick it out here with General Washington, I could stick it out here with Sol."*

Last week, however, Congressman Bloom's latest project, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Constitution --which, since he is fond of appearing in costume, offers him delightful opportunities to appear as an early American patriot --came perilously close to shipwreck. Two years ago he got $10,000 to start his work, last year he got $200,000 more. Last week when he went back for $150,000 more he was very rudely treated. The celebration he has planned begins Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. On Dec. 7 comes the anniversary of Delaware's ratification, then the anniversaries of the ratifications by other States in order, ending with that of New Hampshire, the ninth State, next June 21./= But the celebration will go on to April 30, 1939, the 150th Anniversary of George Washington's taking the oath of office. Sol Bloom was almost deprived of this historic 18-month party by heckling Congressmen.

Republican Leader Snell declared that $350,000 "is a fairly liberal amount to celebrate something [the Constitution] that is diminishing at the present time." More serious criticism fell upon Sol's Story of the Constitution for which he wanted the money to distribute. Republican Clare Hoffman of Allegan, Mich, demanded: "Does the 10-c- which is paid for these books cover the cost?" "Yes & no," said Mr. Bloom. "Well, yes or no?" "I cannot answer in that way. The publication of the 10-c- book itself costs us about 11-c-." How many offices did his staff occupy in the old House Office Building, asked Republican William Lambertson of Fairview, Kans. About ten. And how many people had jobs celebrating? About 40 or 45./-

Up jumped Republican Charles Tobey of Temple, N. H. Said he: "I have here his book 'The Story of the Constitution; Bloom, author.' On the fly-page The Story of the Constitution by Sol Bloom.' . . . 'Copyright 1937, by Sol Bloom.' "

Incensed and hurt, Sol Bloom cried: "At the outset I may say that this kind of work with me is a labor of love. Ever since I was a little boy I have delved into history. I like to read it, and I like to write it. ... I think that the books gotten out by the [Washington] Bicentennial Commission will live forever as the correct history of this country. . . . When I started on the Constitution to write the history of it, I just could not believe that there was so much misinformation on the Constitution of the U. S. . . . I doubt if there are 1,000 people in the U. S. who could have told me one year ago how many pages there were to the Constitution. . . . If it was not for the fact I have my heart and soul in this work I would not stand for some of these questions that have been asked me for two minutes. . . . Many books are published bearing the title The Story of the Constitution. . . . The mere fact I put 'Sol Bloom' on there does not mean I was looking for glory. I put a name on there so people would know what to ask for. . . ."

[About the copyright] "This is a lovely question. . . . The reason the book was copyrighted by Sol Bloom is that the Government is not permitted to copyright anything. ... I did not want any cheap life-insurance companies or toilet-soap companies to take this book and use it for advertising purposes. . . ."

In the end Sol Bloom had the victory. Charles Kramer of Los Angeles popped up with an amendment to provide Sol Bloom not with another $150,000 but with $275,000, so that every Congressman could have 2,500 copies of Bloom on the Constitution to distribute free. A roll-call was demanded on the question and Sol Bloom fretted nervously while the "Nays" rolled up impressively. But so did the "Yeas." He got his money by a close shave, 148 to 142.

* George Washington never lived in Washington. During his Presidency the Capital was in Manhattan and in Philadelphia. /= Art. VII. The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. . . .

/- Representative Bloom in reporting these figures to the House was underestimating his activities. His commission has 87 employes, working in 21 offices.

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