The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-02
C0CKR VOICE
 WORLD FAMED |S SPILLED BY DEATH
New York Congressman and Prominent Democrat Dies Suddenly of ApopIexy
 Stroke


 WASHINGTON, March 1.-(By As- sociated Press)-Death today stilled the voice of W. Bourke Cochran. conceded to have been one of the most eloquent orators who ever spoke from the floor of Congress.
 The famous speaker. q democratic representative from New York, who had matched his powers with many of the greatest of his time, died at 7:1o o'clock this morning from a stroke of apoplexy. Last night he delivered vigorous denunciation of the farm credits legislation pending in the House, and later he celebrat- ed his sixty-ninth anniversary with an old fashioned birthday party, likened by those who attended to the gatherings of childhood days.
 Apparently in the best of health, MT. Cockran entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. He re- peatedly remarked to those about him, that he never had felt bet- ter" After his guests had departed, and while he was chatting with Mrs. Cochran, he was stricken with a headache and soon lapsed into un- consciousness. Last rites of the Catholic church were administered shortly before he died.
 News of MT. Cockrans death stunned his colleagues in Congress and throu ghout the day at the cap ital stories were told of his re- markable facility of expression.
 There were many high lights in the life of MT. Cochran but those which have stood out in great relief were his oratorical efforts at dem ocratic national conventions. And of these perhaps the most remembered by the present generation was the crossing of swords with William J. Bryan at the 1920 party gathering in San Francisco. There he met the "Commoner," himself made famous by a convention speech, in memor- able battle over the proposal to put a dry plank in the platform.
 O O O
 InvincibIc Debater.
 With his massive head covered with snow white hair, MT Cochran was a picturesque figure. And with 'i" powers of argument and wonder full voes bulary he was well nigh in- vincible isl debate. Recently. how ever, he took little part in the run ming exchanges on the floor of the House.
 Members were reluctant to inter rupt him when he began to speak, because, as they explained. they pre- ferred to listen. Representative Mon dell. of Wyoming, the republican leader. said today he was the great est orator of his time, while Repre- sentative Garrett of Tennessee, the democratic leader. declared him to have been one of the greatest of all times.
 Some of the veterans greatest ef- forts were directed toward the ac- complishment of Irish freedom. He was born in Ireland and was able to describe the trials of his people from first-hand information.
 MT. Gockran's death was reported to the House today by Representa- tive Riordan of New York. Reso- lutions of regret were adopted ant a committee of 20 members appoint ed to attend the funeral, plans foI which had not been announced to. night. These members were:
 Representatives Kline, Sullivan Riordan. Mott, Carew. Siegel. Grif- fin. Mead, Fish, Teneyeck Chandler Fairchild and London of New York Ciiver Alabama; Dale Vermont Tucker Virginia Linthicum, Mary land; Sabath, Illinois and Connally and Jones of Texas.