The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-09-12
WHO'S WHO IN FLORIDA
Senator D. U. Fletcher Constructive
Statesman
by Frank l.. Huffaker, The Tampa
Times, August 7th, 1919

AT no time in the history of the ma
ton has there been a more impera-
tive demand for the services of Am
erican-sized patriots at Washington
than during the recent war-torn Pc
riod-for men who were courageous
and knew how to use their courage to
the advantage of the people and their
allies. 1t has been a time for level.
headed, constructive action-not for
pyrotechnics-and the shortcomings
OF those who were weighed and
found wanting" have been woefully
evident to themselves and beneficial
ly evident to their electors.
Their have been some instances in
which, Florida representatives were
accused Of acts that were not Ameri-
can-sized, but it is not the object OF
this article to criticise those gentle
men. In all his acts, official and pri-
vate, however, one member of the
Florida delegation has marched
shoulder-to-shoulder with the boys
who wrestled victory from the Hun.
That member is
Duncan U. Fletcher senior senator,
than whom no member of recent
year congresses has contributed more
to the people of the nation and state
in peace or war time.
Epoeh-Making Laws
Before the monster struggle was
dreamed of Senator Fletcher had
made an unusual record in the pas
sage of constructive laws, including
the Farm Loan Act, and when the
storm broke he, as chairman Of the
great Senate Committee on Com
merce, took the lead in establishing
the United States Shipping Board,
which astounded the world by the
manner in which it builded ships in
which to transport troops and sup
plies lover There.
And in spite of the demands made
upon him throughout the period by
President Wilson, the War, Navy and
other departments he, with his office
co-oworkers, have always found time
to comply with the smallest requests
OF his most unassuming constituents.
Senator Fletcher is now completing
his second term in the upper house
of Congress, and friends throughout
Florida insist that he be returned for
a third term-that his record in
peace, in war has entitled him to this
honor, and that at no time has Flori-
da been in greater need of the SER
vice of men Of his type. His work
for the state, politically and other
wise, prior to his election to the SEN
ate is too we'll known to make men,
ton necessary.
Committees Show Standing
But for his ability and stnading
Senator Fletcher would not have been
given the Craftsmanship Of the Com
mittee on Commerce, which takes
the place of the House committees
on Rivers and Harbors, and Merchant
Marine and Fisheries. He served as
chairman Of that committee until the
gained control of the
Senate, and is now it's ranking DEM
ocratic member. All matters affect
ing shipping, steamboat inspection
services lighthouse service, aids to
navigation, customs service, and leg
islation affecting rivers and harbors
come within the jurisdiction of the
committee, which is therefore the
most important of all congressional
SohlullICCo W L iOlluu. HdI COulIlll-
tee handled the bill which created the
shipping Board. The committee,
which met almost daily during the
last session of Congress, also passed
bills providing for the housing and
of shipbuilding en-
ployes.
Senator Fletcher is also a member
of the committee on Military Affairs,
and has taken an active part in all
legislation affecting the Army and in
the investigations of the War depart
ment. He was member, also, of the
Judiciary committee, and during the
65th Congress serverd on sub-com-
mittees and conference committees
on most of the important measures