Iran Lurks in Background at Congress Orientation

As most everyone on Capitol Hill wallowed in the unfolding Iran- contra controversy, about 40 people were closeted in a stuffy room cluttered with note pads and coffee cups today, learning how to file expense accounts and decorate offices.

Rep.-elect Tom McMillen (D-Md.), a 6-foot-11 former professional basketball player, described the atmosphere at the orientation for freshman members of the House as chaotic and largely oblivious to the crisis mentality pervading the capital city.

“Quite honestly, most of the freshmen members are more concerned with their telephones and how they can get their mail,” he said.

“They promised us there would be no hazing of freshmen, but then they led us right into this,” Rep.-elect Fred Grandy (R-Iowa) said during a hallway break, pointing to the roomful of new House members.

“But there are 435 guys who are not having this problem right now--the ones that got less than 50% of the vote. So it’s a combination of ecstasy and boredom in there,” added Grandy, who played the character Gopher on television’s “Love Boat.”

The freshmen, operating from temporary cubicles and a message board set up in a House office building lounge, are spending the whole week learning about their new job. Customs, decorum and unwritten rules, a twilight Capitol tour, a prayer breakfast and office assignments all were on the agenda.

But the Iran controversy, while not part of the formal orientation program, is surfacing among some new members “when everyone breaks and has a chance to talk about something other than desks and automation,” said Rep.-elect Joseph Kennedy II (D-Mass.).

“It’s an underlying factor. We haven’t had many discussions about it, but it’s there,” said Rep.-elect Patricia Saiki (R-Hawaii). “It’s uppermost in all of our minds. There’s no way to dismiss the concern that we have.”

The new members who offered observations were cautious.

“A little truth will go a long way to solving the problem. Let’s hear the truth before we call it a crisis,” Kennedy said.

“In a sense you feel a little sad--for the country, for the office of the President,” said Rep.-elect John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights activist from Atlanta.