Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1913 — Free Drinks for Italian Lawmakers. [ARTICLE]

Free Drinks for Italian Lawmakers.

• Stormy sittings of the Italian chamber of deputies have led to increased consumption of liquids, and some economists are endeavoring to abolish free drinks. When a deputy rises to deliver a set oration, coffee and iced water are brought him by a messenger. One of the speaker’s neighbors pours him out a cup, and keeps it replenished. There is a buffet in the outer lobby where deputies are supplied gratuitously with beer, winejmirits, coffee, ices and mineral wa"TCrs, and in hot weather this is well patronized. As. however, tfie value of the drinks consumed last year by the 508 deputies was barely $4,000 (of which $2,000 went for mineral waters) tfiey cannot be accused of excessive thirst. Parliamentary representatives in Italy receive no pay. Free drinks qnd free railway travel are the only privileges they enjoy.