Charles Marston
During his 35 years on Capitol Hill, most of which he spent in the House Press Gallery, Charles Marston assisted reporters in their coverage of Congress from routine committee hearings to historic events like the 1954 shooting in the House Chamber.
Featured Audio
"Welfare of the Press"
"Welfare of the Press"
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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Abstract & Transcript
During his more than three-decade career on the Hill, Marston facilitated the work of reporters covering the House. He recalls how as a liaison between Members and the press he focused on “getting information,” answering questions (about pending legislation, for example), and posting updates on a centrally-located bulletin board in the press gallery. Marston spent much of his tenure attending committee hearings where he distributed press releases and handled accommodations for the press. He recalls, in particular, hearings held by the Ways and Means and Science Committees. On occasion Marston also monitored floor proceedings. He provides a detailed, eye-witness account of the shooting that transpired in the House Chamber on March 1, 1954. Marston’s career spanned many technological changes which he discusses in this oral history. He speaks of how the press used telegraphs, teletype machines, and typewriters in the gallery when reporting on Congress. Marston also shares his memories of the correspondents who covered the House and how women and African Americans gradually integrated the predominantly white, male press corps.
Biography
With his uncle employed at the Capitol, Marston found a job on the Senate side as an elevator operator during the mid-1940s. In this position he met many Senators, including Carl Hatch of New Mexico and future President Harry S. Truman. Harold Beckley, the superintendent of the Senate Press Gallery convinced Marston to leave his elevator post and take a temporary job as a messenger in his office. Marston later moved to the House Press Gallery when a permanent spot became available in 1948. From 1950 to 1953, Marston served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his discharge he returned to his job at the House Press Gallery as an assistant superintendent. In this position Marston gathered data about Members, kept abreast of legislation, and attended committee hearings to assist the press in their coverage of the House. On March 1, 1954, Marston witnessed armed assailants fire gunshots from the public galleries onto the floor of the House Chamber wounding five Representatives. As he made his way from the chamber, he alerted his colleagues of the shooting, describing the corresponding scene in the press gallery as “sheer chaos” as reporters and staff gathered to document what had occurred on the House Floor.
After reaching his 35-year mark of service in the House, Marston retired in 1979. He went on to work as a bus driver for Prince George’s County Schools and for senior citizens in College Park, Maryland. Charles Marston passed away on December 10, 2015, at the age of 87.
Audio
Fond Memories of Working the Elevator
Fond Memories of Working the Elevator
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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A Bottle of Coke
A Bottle of Coke
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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"Welfare of the Press"
"Welfare of the Press"
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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Fireplaces in the Press Gallery
Fireplaces in the Press Gallery
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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Inside the Cloakroom
Inside the Cloakroom
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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Teletyping in the House Press Gallery
Teletyping in the House Press Gallery
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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An Unforgettable Day
An Unforgettable Day
Charles Marston, Assistant Superintendent, House Press Gallery
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