Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-07
SUCCESSOR INFORMED.
Wood Served for Eighteen Years in the
House.

Wood Served for Eighteen Years in the
House.
Representative Durgan, Democrat, of
Indiana, was informed today that Will
R. Wood died suddenly in New York.
Durgan is Woods successor.
Representative Durgan was informed
of Woods sudden death by Miss Jessie
Lowell, who was secretary to the veteran
Indiana Representative for many years.
James E. Barnes, Woods lifelong
friend, was with him at his death.
They left here yesterday for Medi-
terranean cruise. to sail this afternoon.
Wood went to the offices OF the House
Appropriations Committee yesterday to
say good-by to the men with whom
he had worked there for many years.
He apparently was in excellent health.
Headed G. o. p. Committee.
Representative Wood had just COM
pleted Is years of consecutive service
in the House during which time he had
been chairman of the Appropriations
Committee, as we'll as the Republican
Congressional Committee.
Mr.. Wood was in unusually good spir-
its when at the Capitol yesterday and
was looking forward to plenty of leisure
to indulge in his favorite sport, fish
ing. When defeated for reelection last
November, he said he welcomed the OPP
portunity to do a Ettle playing
The veteran legislator had for years
taken prominent part not only in
congressional campaigns, but in presi-
Dental campaigns. In the campaign
which elected President Hoover, Mr..
Wood was in charge of the Speakers
Bureau in Chicago covering the Western
area.
Was Native of Indiana.
He was 70 years old on January S
last. He was born at Oxford, Benton
County, Indiana, the son of Robert and
Matilda Wood. His father was a dis
tfnguished citizen of that community
and his, mother was recognized not
only as a cultured woman but as one
with deep human sympathies.
MI Wood, who had been successful
in private as well as political life, was
popular with his associates and had
been given a number of farewell parties
by those with whom he had been close
ly associated as House member dur
ing recent years. He was given such a
farewell party Sunday night by those
with whom he had been most closely
associated while chairman Of the APP
preparations Committee.
Mr. Wood was a graduate Of the law
department of Michigan University, re-
ceiving his degree of IL. B. so years
ago. He Immediately entered the prac-
tice of law in Lafayette in April 1882,
and has maintained his residence and
his law Office there ever since. He
was married the following year to Mary
Elizabeth Geiger, who died october 7,
1924.
Mr.. Woods first political Office was
that of prosecuting attorney, to which
he was elected 40 years ago. He was
elected to the Indiana State Senate 81
years ago and served Is years in that
body. He was twice president pro tenn
of the State Senate and four times
leader of the Republican membership
in that body.
Counsel Sought in House.
Representative Wood was an impress
sive speaker, and because of his close
application and study of legislative
questions, particularly those connected
with the appropriations for financing
the various activities of the Govern
ment, his statements were listened to
with deep attention in the House and
his counsel sought in such matters.
His last speech in the House was dur
ing the action on the conference re-
port on the Treasury-Post Office ap-
preparation bill, which had been his pet
hobby for many years. At that time he
spoke in defense of the service of the
United States Bureau of Efficiency,
which was wiped out under the economy
section Of the bill
Representative Wood placed Charles
w. Fairbanks in nomination for Presi-
dent at the Republican National Con-
vention and also nominated James E.
Watson fer President in 1928.
During the moves for economy by
Congress during the depression he
fought for cuts In salaries of Govern
ment employees.
LAFAYETTE, Ind, March 7 R.-
The death of Will R. Wood today in
New York brought to a close the career
of man who had been long in the
public service.
His retirement from the House of
Representatives last Saturday came
after 10 years as a member of that
body. Prior to his election to Congress
he had served Is years in the Indiana
State Senate.
His political career began with his
election to the proSecutorship Of Tippe-
canoe County, Ind, in 1890, a few years
after his graduation from the Univer-
sity of Michigan law department.
Mr.. Wood was born at Oxford, Ben
ton County, in 1851. He was educated
b the public achoo|s Of that town.