Evening star., 1933-03-31
SENATOR THOMAS OF UTAH
is FRESH FROM CLASSR DOM
Democratic Victor Over
Smoot Taught Political
Science at University.
Offices on Capitol Hill Are
Run by Staff of Former
Students.
BY GRACE HENDRICK EUsTIs.

BY GRACE HENDRICK EUSTIS.
A dramatic incident occurred at the
Democrats State convention in Utah
last ysar. Mr.. Glen, a delegate, put up
for nomination the name OF Elbers
Thomas, professor Of political science
at the Univer@i.y Of Utah. There arose
TO second the motion a young man who
mad been former student of the pro-
fessors. He made such a stirring
speech. such an unanswerable plea for
a man Of Prof. Thomas type for the
Office of United States Senator. that
the convention was moved to give the
professor the nomination. in spite Of
the fact that he was not the first choice
OF the Democratic leaders.
On the wings Of a vast enthusiasm.
engendered by his students all over the
State. Prof. Thomas succeeded in un-
seating Senator Reed Smoot, Repub-
fican. who had represented Utah since
1903. His campaign was remarkable
because Of the JEALOUS support he got
from groups Of young men and women
in virtually every town in the State who
had studied under him.
This Is the Senator'S first experience
as legislator. His previous activities
and Affiliations, however, have been
immense. He was born in Salt Lake
City Of English parents. He was edu-
Gated in common schools and obtained
his A. b. from the University of Utah
and his Phi. D. from the University OF
California.
Wrote in Japanese.
In 1907 he and his wife went to the
Orient as missionaries. He was the
president Of the Japan Mission of the
Norman Church of Jesus Christ OF
Latter day Saints. They went to both
China and Japan, and there Mr.. Thom-
as interested himself in Oriental phi
losophy and wrote book in japanese,
"Sakui No Michi"
When they returned the senator be-
came an instructor in Latin and Greek
at the University of Utah. Following
this he was made secretary-registrar.
Then his activities began to mushroom.
Between 1915 and 1892 he was chair
paan Of military affairs Of his university,
president Of the Utah Alumnae Asso-
>,ation. major in the Inspector Cen
: rails Department of the United States
army Reserve, Democratic nominee for
ecretary Of state, fellow in political
SScience at the University OF California,
member of the Carnegie European con-
ference Of American professors. and pro
fessor of political science at the UNI
versity of Utah.
Besides this he is a member of sun
dry organizations both American and
Oriental, dealing with international
law and political science.
Thus he comes to the Senate fresh
from the cloistered atmosphere OF
church and university. He has brought
with him for his Office staff group OF
ex-students and one of his three
DAUGHTERS. This creates a novel at
mosphere, there being, for one thing,
no familiar cigar smoke in the outer
office.
On Five Committees.
The Senator Is a tall man with gra-
cious manner. His low voice has mag
netism. His approach to legislative
problems Is that Of an economist and a
humanitarian 1t may be that the
rough barrage of political discussions
will be new jump for him to take and
possibly some of his ideas will seem
radical to seasoned legislators. He is
serving on five Senate committees, For
eign Relations. Military Affairs. Mines
and Mining, Education and Labor and
Pensions.
II believe" Senator Thomas said, in
discussing President Roosevelt's refor-
estation measure, that the life Of a
nation depends on her forests Korea,
for example, has improved economically
since the Japanese have revived her
forests.
The Senator cited a heretofore un-
mentioned advantage in the Presidents
scheme. He thinks percentage of men
put to work in reforestation will become
sufficiently interested to- make it their
permanent business.
AS Utah is the richest State in the
Nation in silver mines. Senator Thomas
will climb on the silver wagon. It is
not known in what form he will suggest
bi-metallism but 1t is thought his plan
will be a new one
The entire Utah delegation to the
present Congress is composed of Nor
mons and the question that is worry
ing many of the citizens is how other
interests will fare when the patronage
Is allotted