The Washington times., 1920-03-24
CONG. BROWNING .
DIES AT CAPITOL
New Jersey Member of House
Succumbs to Heart Disease
While in Barber's Chair.

well, II will probably be the last
chance you'll ever get to shave me,
Congressman William ]. Browning oil
New Jersey. remarked to the barber
in the House barber shop in the Cap
itol this morning.
Ten minutes later, as he tried to get
out of the chair. Mr.. Browning sud
denly collapsed. He died reclining In
the BARRIERS chair before physician
could be summoned, victim OF heart
disease.
Just before 0 o'clock Mr.. Brown
ing went to the barber shop prepar-
atory to leaving for his home In Cam
den, N. J. He had just ordered a
ticket for the IL o'clock train for
Philadelphia, intending to stop over
there to see his physician before re-
turning home.
He greeted Prince Robertson, the
colored barber who had shaved him
for many years, in hearty manner,
although he had been suffering re-
Gently from an attack of heart dis
ease.
First Aid Fails.
When he told Robertson that this
would probably be his last shave. the
barber replied laughingly that he
would live for a good many more
years yet.
Robertson was pushing up the back
OF the chair so Mr.. Browning could
get up, when the lattep uttered an ex-
clamation and fell backward. uncon-
scious. The barber used first aid
treatment, but was unable to revive
him.
Congressman Browning died before
officials of the Capitol could summon
physician. The coroner said that
death was due to heart disease.
Mr.. Browning had been at the Cap
itol for many years, having been
chief clerk in the House from 1895
until 1911. when he was elected to
Congress.
He is survived by his widow and a
son, DR.. w. X. Browning, both OF
Camden. They were notified of his
death this morning. Word Is being
awaited from them before the body
will be sent to Camden.
Native of Camden.
Mr. Browning was born in Camden,
April II, 1850. and was active in city
affairs. being postmaster at one time.
until his appointment as chief clerk
VI tHc 1hOuoS' i'e was erected TO the
Sixty second, Sixty-third, Sixty-fourth
and Sixty-hfth Congresses. and re-
elected as Republican to the Sixty.
sixth Congress.
Since last October CONGRESSMAN
Browning has been in III health. due
chiefly to heart disease. During the
Christmas holidays he was advised
by his physician to take a needed
rest and only came to Washington oc.
casionally.
When the naval appropriation bill
was up, he returned to Washington
TO help work on that measure. 1t had
caused him to remain over several
days longer than he had expected
The strenuous work of the last few
days, II Is believed, brought on the at
tack that resulted in his death
Announcement OF Mr.. Browninp's
death was made In the House by Con.
gresham Hutchinson OF New Jersey
On his motion the House adopted n
resolution OF sympathy and adjourned
until noon tomorrow.
The entire New Jersey delegation
will attend the funeral services in
Camden. In addition to these the fol-
members of the Naval Affairs
of which Mr.. Browning
was a member, were appointed to rep
resent the House at the services:
Congressman Butler OF Pennsyl-
vania, Brltten of Illinois, Kelly OF
Michigan, Mudd OF Maryland. Padgett
OF Tennessee, Reardon OF New York.
and oliver OF Alabama.