Evening star., 1933-03-12
SENATORS MOURN
DEATH OF HOWELL
Committee Named to Attend
Funeral of Nebraskan in
Omaha Tuesday.


Senator Robert B. Howell, Republican
of Nebraska, died at Walter Reed Hos
pital Yesterday afternoon from q heart
attack which followed a battle against
pneumonia during the past two weeks.
His vitality was weakened by comp1-
cations after 1t had appeared he might
recover.
Word of his death was received with
deep sorrow by his associates IN the
Senate, who paid high tribute last night
to his ability as legislator. The Ne
braskan was So years old and was serv-
ing his second term in the Senate.
His passing was announced to the
Senate by his colleague, Senator Norris,
Resolutions of regret were adopted, a
committee was authorized to attend the
funeral and as further mark OF re-
epect the Senate adjourned.
Senator Howell is survived by his
widow, the former Mrs. Alice Chase Cul-
bingham Of Omaha, and q stepson, Sid
ney j. Cullingham, who arranged last
night to have the body sent back to
Funeral services will be held there Tues
day.
Praised by Colleagues.
Senator Borah, Republican, Of Idaho,
bald Howell was a most conscientious,
industrious and able Senator" and his
death "is distinct loss to the Senate
and the country"
II do not believe there was a more
conscientious courageous and able man
in the Senate" said Senator Norris.
Senator Norris recalled the thorough
ness with which Senator Howell studied
legislative problerns
Senator Copeland, Democrat, Of New
York, also paid tribute to Senator
Howell's career, pointing out that he
had known the Nebraskan for many
years before coming to the Senate.
"The careful attention he gave to
committee work and to the details Of
government as they relate to finances
was remarkable" said Senator Copeland.
The committee named by Vice Presi-
composed Of Senators Norris, Dickin-
son, Republican of Iowa; Nye, Republi-
can of North Dakota; Vandenberg, Re-
publican of Michigan; Robinson, Re-
publican Of Indiana; johnson, Re-
, publican Of California; Murphy, Demo-
crat Of Iowa; King, Democrat Of Utah;
Bulow, Democrat Of South Dakota;
Pittman, Democrat of Nevada; Tram
nell, Democrat of Florida; Kean, Re-
publican of New Jersey; Carey, Re-
publican Of Wyoming; La Toilette, Re-
publican of Wisconsin, and Shipstead,
Farmer-Laborite Of Minnesota.
Bratton May Head Committee.
Senator Sam G. Bratton, Democrat,
New Mexico, probably will succeed Howell
as chairman of the Senate's Special
Campaign Funds Committee, which ex-
poets to continue its work.
Bratton Is the ranking Democrat on
the committee, which will be headed by
b Democrat now that this party has
taken over control of the Government.
Another Democrat probably will be
appointed to I'LL the vacancy, while
! Senators Carey. Republican, Wyoming,
and Townsend. Republican, Delaware,
will remain as the two minority mem
bers.
No action is expected for some days,
however, nor will the committee at
tempt to function soon.
= Members have been awaiting for sew
kral days printed copies Of the lengthy
hearings In New Orleans in their In
yestigation into the 1892 Louisiana
senatorial Democratic primary before
attempting to meet to discuss q report.
One OF the first actions Of the COM
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Two Vacancies In Senate.
Senator Howell's death leaves two
vacancies In the Senate. Gov. Charles
w. Bryan Of Nebraska, Democrat, un-
doubtedly will appoint a Democrat to
Howells seat, while another Democrat
will be named by Gov. John E. Erick-
son Of Montana to take the place Of
the late Senator Thomas j. Walsh.
This will give the Democrats 60 mem
bers as against IS Republicans and /
Farmer-Labor.
Senator Howell, who seldom If ever
deliberately sought the spotlight, re-
Gently occupied q conspicuous place in
the days Of the news as chairman of the
special Senate committee investigating
election expenditures and contests.
In the course Of the investigations
to inquire into the election charges IN
volving Representative John H. Over
ton, who defeated the veteran Senator
Broussard Of Louisiana. Overton was
Senator Huey P. Longs candidate and
the investigation at New Orleans CEN
tered largely on the political activities
Of Senator Long, with subsequent
charges and counter charges. Senator
Howell returned to Washington after
the investigation, short while ago.
Elected In 1922.
Elected to the Senate in 1922, Senator
Howell had identified himself with the
Progressive Republican group under the
leadership Of Senator Norris, his friend
and colleague. He remained "regu-
lar. however, in the Hoover-Smith
campaign as well as in the recent CAM
patgn, when many of the Progressives,
In and out Of Congress, threw their sup
port to Roosevelt. He was also one Of
the Progressives under the leadership of
Theodore Roosevelt, but did not bolt
Taft.
It was as author of the District Of
Columbia prohibition enforcement bill
that Howell was probably best known
to residents of Washington. His &C
tiNties in District legislation also ex-
tended to efforts to bring about certain
changes in the bill for merger OF the
gas light companies. In neither Of
these two efforts, however, was he sue
cessful.
The fare-up on prohibition enforce
ment in Washington in 1929 probably
surprised no one 50 much as the man
who provoked it-Senator Howell. He
was not the kind Of man to attract 50
much attention. He was rather be-
wildered to find that he had caused 50
much attention. Slow and deliberate In
his movements and thoughts, he seldom
found himself in the public limelight.
His speeches were usually logical and
deliberative.
And that was what he was doing IN
the Senate on the occasion OF remarks
on prohibition enforcement that sud-
denly focused the national spotlight on
copiitiouS in WASHINGTON A consistent
Edry." Senator Howell made sug-
pestion that President Hoover take a
hand in enforcement in the District OF
Columbia. He declared very bluntly
that the President could call the Com
sn.aerao,aara hafore him and give such