The Washington times., 1936-06-04
AL ABB Am AN
UNANIMOUS
SELECTION
House Arranges to
Hold UP Business
During Convention
CONTINUED from Page u

l. AI1DHC NGh11C0 4OL q NOVO oAAA
there was a roar Of ayes, tolling
q unanimous vote. O'Connor
then withdrew. A moment later
the central door of the chamber
was flung open and a solemn
little group entered.
New Speaker Presented
Sergeant at Arms Kenneth
Romney was at the head. Bank
head, clad in a white linen suit,
his face drawn from a Sleepless
night of vigil at the bedside OF
his friend, and Representative
O'Connor followed. In the rear
were Representative Bertrand
Smell (R.) of New York, the minor
ity leader, with Representative
Taylor CD of Colorado. chairman
of the House Caucus Committee.
The House arose as body.
O'Connor advanced to the
Speakers rostrum, lifted Bryns'
gavel and let it fall once. The
rap echoed through the silent
chamber. Then he said:
s'LadieS and gentlemen of the
House, 1 present you with your
new Speaker, the Honorable
william, B. Bankhead Of Ala
bama."
Oath Administered
Bankhead stepped to the
Speakers roStrum and Representa-
tive Adolph SABBATH CD of Illinois,
dean of the House, administered
the oath Of office.
Bankhead's face was solemn and
stern. In quiet, firm tones he re-
peated the brief oath, then lifted
the gavel and called the House to
order.
AS Representative Sam Mercy
nolds of Tennessee, ByrnS' BOSOM
friend and adviser, paid a brief
tribute to the late speaker, gray
haired members unreStrainedly
gave vent to their grief in tears.
In all parts of the chamber, mem
bers raised handkerchiefs to wipe
their eyes.
Speaker Bankhead named
O'Connor and Representative Tay-
lor CD of Colorado, McReynoIds,
and Smell (R0 Of New YORK 10
arrange for the State funeral.
APPOINTMENT Of a special COM
mittee of so members to represent
the House at Byrns' funeral was
approved.
Doctor Cares for Bankhead
Soon after the House adjourned,
Speaker Bankhead was taken to
his office by DR.. George Calver,
congressional phySi clan, who
feared that the strain might pro-
woke a recurrence of heart trouble,
from which Mr.. Bankhead has
suffered. The action, it was an
nounced, was merely a precau-
tionary measure.
The Senate had recessed to
await House action but convened
at 11:45 to approve a resolution
of respect to the memory OF
Speaker ByrnS, which was adopted
by the House.
A committee of 10 Senators will
be appointed to represent the Sen
ate at the funeral services.
President Roosevelt ordered all
Federal flags at half staff, can
celled his Cabinet meeting and
prepared to follow the body of
the TenneSSeean to its final rest
ing place.
Praised by President
The President declared today:
Speaker Byrns belonged to
that school of statesmen which
is the hope and justification Of
our democracy. BY a happy CO.
incidence, he represented for
more than quarter of a cen
tury the hermitage district of
Tennessee, a district of Senti-
mental significance because it
holds the sacred dust of Andrew
Jackson; and there was about
Speaker ByrnS simplicity and
rugged honesty which we have
come to associate with the name
Of Jackson. Fearless, incOr-
ruptible, unSelfish, with a high
sense Of justice, wise in counsel,
broad of vision, calm in ad-
verSity and modest in victory,
he served his State and the ma
ton with fidelity, honor and
great usefulness.
"I personally mourn the pass
ing of SteadfaSt friend of many
years."
Favored Bonus
One of the biggest changes in
the House under Byrns' leadership
during two sessions was repeal Of
a rule under which 145 members
could call bill to the floor by
petition. ByrnS persuaded the
House to make the number 218.
Armed with this rule, Byrns
fought all movements to force &C.
ton on measures disapproved by
the Administration, excepting the
soldiers bonus. He not only be-
lieved that the debt to the World
War veterans should be paid. but
felt that it was impossible to
steam the tide.
Close friends declared one of
thedirect causes of ByrnS' death
was his willingness to listen to the
troubles of others and his worry
over them. Byrns kept long hours.
He arrived at the Capitol often
before a. m. and frequently re-
manned until late in the evening.
Death Peaceful