Evening star., 1936-06-05

Harris E,Ding Photo.
casket. A few minutes before noon II
was closed and Rev. James Shera
Montgomery. chaplain Of the House,
took the rostrum to open the services
with a prayer.
A few minutes of silence followed
and the main entrance to the House
floor was opened and in came members
Of the Senate. led by Vice President
Garner and Chesney w. Jurney, SER
geant at arms Of the Senate. Next
came the diplomatic corps, repre-
Senting So nations, headed by AM
bassador Sir Ronald Lindsay. Fol-
lowing them were members of the
cabinet.
The President next came in on the
arm Of his military aide, and finally
Mrs. Byrns and other members Of the
bereaved family. Mrs. Byrns, heavily
yelled, sat beside her son, Joseph w.
Byrns, jr., holding his hand
These ceremonies concluded. Repre-
sentative Bankhead of Alabama. who
succeeded Byrns as leader of the
House, tapped with the gavel. Again
DR.. Montgomery offered another
prayer and Representative Rabaut,
Democrat, Of Michigan sang.
DR.. Montgomery then recited the
Twenty third Psalm, opening the fu~
neral services.
Speaker Bankhead then paid his
tribute to his predecessor.
In his eulogy he said Byrns had left
a record that would place him among
Americas immortals-the great Amer
leans who earned distinction and did
not get 1t as gratuity.
Blow to Colleagues. :
"T'he heart of every member Of the
House Of Representatives" he de-
clared, els sorely torn and bruised this
day as we contemplate the scene be-
fore US. for there lies the recumbent
figure Of that great American who
only the day before yesterday presided
over the popular branch Of our Fed
eral Government with such grace,
dignity and ability. The devastating
blow of destiny which fell with such
merciless devastation upon us leaves
us chilled and unreconciled 1t is but
another Illustration Of the saying that
those who stand high have many
blasts to shake them, for there is no
question but that the arduous and
exacting duties of the Speaker of the
contributed
largely to his untimely end.
And SO We come in this solemn
and historic hour to pay brief but
necessarily limited tribute of praise
and affection for our departed friend.
I use the word friend advisedly, for
there were so temperated in the heart
and soul of Joe Byrns elements of
tolerance, patience and sympathy that
he had drawn to him the ungrudging
regard and affection Of all men who
came within the radius of his genial
influence.
1T will not be possible within the
limitations of this hour to undertake
even a partial summary of the long
and distinguished public career of our
late beloved Speaker. At later day
those who loved and admired him will
have fuller opportunity to lay upon
the bier of memory the tender flowers
of tribute and devotion which his re-
markable personality and career so
amply justify. Mr. Speaker Byrns came
Of long line Of sturdy. devoted pa
triotic American ancestors.
Commonwealth Product.
HE was bred and nourished within
the bosom of great Commonwealth,
one which has contributed so plenti-
fully to the roster of distinguished men
who have played heroic parts in the de-
velopment Of our republic and in the
perpetuation Of our institutions.
Il imagine he found constant and
enduring inspiration from that section
in his home district, where repose
the blessed ashes of one of the most
picturesque and distinguished sons Of
America, the indomnitable Andrew
jackson. However, some men In these
modern times seem to find gratif1ca-
ton in undertaking to belittle in the
estimation Of the people the char
acter and ability Of their Representa-
tives in Congress- thoughtful pub
lie must believe that under the spirit
Of our Democratic institution 1t is no
small tribute of praise to be elected to
this body for even one term Of service
and when such service Is extended
year by year and into the decades as
was the case Of Joseph w. Byrns, it
is indisputable evidence that he had
by his character and ability gained
such high place in the esteem and
affection Of his constituency that no
thought entered their minds of re-
placing by another this invaluable
public servant. ....-
''Mr. Byrns served in the House Of
Representatives for 26 years and was
at the time of his passing away only
exceeded in length of service by one
of the House. No man from
the great State of Tennessee during
all of its long history had ever served
in the Congress of the United States
continuously for as long consecutive
period as had Speaker Byrns. It is
needless for me to remind those vino
hear of his ability, of his courage, Of
the equity of his decisions as o pre-
siding officer, of the unfailing pa
tience and generosity with which he
treated every approach Of his col
leagues in the discharge of his public !
duties, Of the dignity with which he