The Perks Go on . . . and on . . . and On

By Sidney Urquhart

Who gets a posh office, a lavish expense allowance, a devoted staff and unlimited postage? Answer: any former Speaker of the House of Representatives. Congress doled out these open-ended perks to departing Speakers back in the 1970s so that they could conclude their "official business." But somehow not one has ever managed to do so. According to figures disclosed last week by the House clerk, U.S. taxpayers will have to cough up $385,577.52 this year for staff members who will keep JIM WRIGHT and TIP O'NEILL comfortable in their home states. Not to mention CARL ALBERT of Oklahoma, who retired back in 1977.