Evening star., 1934-08-20
Handling of Ne,o Deal La,os
Climaxed Rainey's Career
Speaker Veteran of 80 Years When
Called Upon to Guide Roosevelt Re-
couery Policies Through House.

Illustrative of his methods in get
ting the lowdown" on national prob
lens, was an unofficial trip at his own
expense to Soviet Russia. He came
back in the Spring of 1892 vigorous
proponent of trade with that country
and said If recognition of its govern
ment was needed to insure that COM
merce, he favored the establishment
of official diplomatic relations.
Panama Storm Center.
Rainey on several occasions was a
storm center in affairs involving for
eign governments. Back in 1908 he
started movement in the House to
have the Panama Canal deal of Presi-
dent Theodore RooSeveltS adminiStra-
ton investigated. He made serious
charges also against w. N. Cromwell,
noted New York attorney: the late
Charles P. Taft, brother of President
Taft, and members of the Panama
government in connection with the
sale of the Panama Railroad. The
Panama government sent an official
protest to Washington. The United
States Government disavowed respon-
sibility for the Rainey sentiments and
ne Kept on talking.
The controversy spread over several
years. 1t finally eliminated in
House committee investigation which
sent Rainey and others to the Canal
Zone but it all ended in 1914 when
he said he was satisfied with the
treaty between the United States and
Colombia, former owner of the
iSthmus.
In later years Rainey was an out
spoken opponent of any revisions or
cancellations of war debts owed to the
United States by European nations.
He especially opposed the 1926 debt
agreements with France and Italy
and in the debate on the latter de-
nounced MuSsolini, charging that the
militant Fascist leader was heading
for war and building up an expensive
army for colonial conquests
When debts again became current
issue in 1882 and 1888 he modified
his position far enough to say he was
willing to have the debts revised again
provided there we're compenSating
tariff reductions and concessions
abroad.
Gentle But Firm.
Rainey was a gentle person, mild
hammered and considerate, but few
dared engage him in debate He had
voice that could range from silky
softnesS to a cauStic harShneSS and
was considered no mean combatant.
When not presiding over the House,
Rainey generally could be found
nIr0 llsV ~l-tw LII al
equally black cigar.
Apparently he was never excited.
During the darkest days of the de-
preston he viewed the situation calm
ly. He always said that he relied
upon the initiative and courage of
the people to pull the country
through.
During his earlier years in the
House, Rainey fought the iron rule of
Speaker Joseph Cannon, Republican
''czar" of the House. He aided Sem
ator Norris, then a Representative, in
breaking down "Cannonism." He sup
ported President Wilson in the World
War era, particularly during the ter
against Germany.
Critic Of Republicans.
During the Harding, Coolidge and
Hoover administrations, Rainey
fought their policies and predicted
dire results. He advocated free COIN
age of silver. recognition of Soviet
Russia and reciprocal tariffs, three
things that many then considered
radical" He lived to see nationali-
zation of silver and fulfillment of his
ideas on the other two issues.
He often spoke in homely figures
of speech.
Once, when he was just majority
leader, he gave his philosophy on
taxes in these words
THE ideal way to raise money is to
get the most feathers with the least
squawking Of the goose"
! With heavy-built athletic frame,