Evening star., 1932-04-19
STATE RITES SET
FOR HARRIS HERE
Hoover and High Officials In
vited to Ceremony in
Senate.

The Senate today ordered a State
funeral for Senator William j. Harris
of Georgia, to be held in the Senate
chamber at II am. tomorrow, carrying
out the wishes of his widow.
President Hoover, members Of the
cabinet. the Supreme Court, the House
Of Representatives and the diplomatic
corps. along with other Government
dignitaries were invited by the Senate
to attend.
Rev. Ze Barney Phillips, chaplain of
the Senate, is expected to ofticiate.
Submitted by Robinson.
Senator Robinson. the Democratic
leader. submitted on behalf of Senator
George. Senator Harris colleague, the
resolution calling for the State funeral.
It was agreed to Immediately, after
which the committee to accompany the
body to Cedarton. Ga, for burial rites
Thursday was announced as follows:
Senators George. Watson. Robinson Of
Arkansas. Moses, Kendrick Jones. Nc
Kellar. Reed, Trammell, Vandenberg,
Copeland, Glenn, Bratton, Hatfield and
Black.
Harris death came after a serious i'll
ness which had lasted for weeks before
his heart finally gave way under the
strain. He was thought to be recovering
from an operation performed a few
weeks ago when intestinal trouble de-
veloped He rallied quickly and ap
peared to be likely to recover until his
heart weakened.
Harris died at the age Of "a. after
lifetime spent in political service. He
began as secretary to Senator A. S.
Clay He served as a Georgia State
Senator, member, secretary and chair
man of the Democratic State Commit
tee. In 1913 he was appointed director
Of the Census Bureau, later he was
Acting Secretary of Commerce and then
became chairman of the Federal Trade
Commission.
He entered the Senate in 1919 and
was serving his third consecutive term.
Gov. Russell of Georgia will fill his
place by appointment until the Novem-
Der elections bring a successor to serve
out the term ending in 1887.
Adjourn in His Memory.
Senator Harris colleagues were quick
to honor him with eulogies when they
heard of his death, and within a few
minutes the Senate adjourned out of
respect to his memory.
In his tribue to his departed COL
league, Senator George had this to say:
He was one of the most diligent and
active Senators and has been more de-
voted to the interests of individual
citizens Of his State than any other
man who represented the State in my
recollection.
His passing will be universally
| mourned by the people of Georgia and
by the many people he sincerely loved"
Harris is survived by his widow, who
woe JiIIio Knov IIItII IUbea1ar opa
daughter, Julia Wheeler Harris.
Born in CedartOwn, Ga.
Harris was born in Cedartown
on February 3, 1868.
After finishing his course at the
! University Of Georgia, he engaged In
| the insurance business and banking
| at CedartoWn, Ga, but after his initfa-
| ton into politics he devoted most of
! his time to public service, finally be-
| coming United States Senator from his
native State.
Senator Harris learned the ways OF
| the Upper House of Congress while
serving as secretary to the late Senator
Clay. Returning to his home State
| at the conclusion of that assign
ment, he was elected to the Georgia
State Senate and for number of years
was member Of the Democratic State
Committee of Georgia After serving
| as secretary of the committee he was
| chosen chairman
In 1913. Senator Harris was appoint
ed director of the Census Bureau and
for a time was Acting Secretary of
! Commerce. President Wilson named
! him chairman of the Federal Trade
Commission in 1915, post he filled
until 1918, when he resigned to enter
the race for the United States Senate
He was elected that year and returned
for a second term in 1924.
Held Important Posts.
During his Senate service Mr.. Harris
was appointed to places on the Appro-
priations, Commerce, Immigration and
Territories and Insular Possessions
Committees. He took an especial in
terest in immigration and was opposed
particularly to Mexican immigration.