WE are not seeking a portrait of a great statesman, a national or international prime mover. What we are seeking is a close, fast-moving picture of a man essentially doing what he is supposed to do, under the Constitution, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives: representing the people of his district and, as a byproduct of that, trying to get himself re-elected." So wrote TIME Associate Editor Champ Clark early this month to TIME Detroit Bureau Chief Marshall Berges, as he outlined the reporting requirements for this week's cover story on Michigan Congressman Charles Chamberlain. Writer Clark had a rare and unique understanding of what he was looking for. The first Champ Clark, the grandfather for whom he was named, was a Missouri Congressman for 26 years, for eight years was a powerful Speaker of the House, in 1912 was the strongest contender for the Democratic presidential nomination against Woodrow Wilson. TIME'S Clark grew up in the shadow of the Capitol, while his father. Bennett Champ Clark, was two-term Senator from Missouri, later judge of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. For a rare professional view of a Congressman fulfilling his constitutional function (and Champ Clark's 31st TIME cover story), see NATIONAL AFFAIRS, Meeting the People.

NOW that the U.S. economy is snapping back from the recession, the talk -- and the worry -- about inflation has reached alarming proportions. What do the economic facts say about the chances of widespread price hikes in the next year? See BUSINESS ESSAY, Inflation Fears.

BRITISH Columbia, land of promise, is celebrating a birthday this year. It is a vigorous, bustling 100. In observance of the occasion, TIME sent Calgary Bureau Chief Ed Ogle and Toronto Photographer George Hunter ranging across the province by airplane, helicopter, train, bus, car, steamship, fishing boat and afoot to get a color picture spread and a colorful story. For their special report, including six pages in color, see THE HEMISPHERE, CANADA: British Columbia at 100. Appropriately, this week marks an anniversary for TIME: the 15th year of our Canadian edition, which goes to 200,000 Canadian families. Observing this birthday, we have prepared a booklet, In Our Time, containing excerpts from significant Canadian stories that have appeared in TIME in the past 15 years. Anyone who would like a copy of this unique study of recent Canadian history may get one free by writing to In Our Time, Box 2127, Toronto, Canada.

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