American Notes CONGRESS

Before Congressman Gus Savage embarked on an official trip to China in 1986, a House staffer asked his top aide what the Illinois Democrat wanted to explore during the ten-day stay. "Tailored clothing," she replied. What she meant was custom-made suits. Savage not only gave short shrift to the official meetings that were the ostensible purpose of his tour, but also cut short his visit so he could devote three days to sightseeing and fittings in Hong Kong and Seoul. Total cost of the 16-day junket, which also included Japan: $6,731, presumably not including his haberdashery bill.

The suit pursuit came to light when the State Department, alarmed by reports that the five-term Congressman had sexually accosted a Peace Corps volunteer during a fact-finding mission to Zaire last March, asked other embassies that have played host to Savage about his activities. Two congressional committees are now investigating the allegations. Considering the outcome of his foreign forays, Savage might want to consider sticking closer to home.