Evening star., 1936-06-04
ESTEEMED
HIGHLY BY HOUSE
Loved by Colleagues for
Sympathetic Rule of
Chamber.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

one OF the pest lOVeQ speakers mas
gone-real pal to his fellow members.
ITO know him was to love him
that was the comment made today by
scores of those who sat under"
him and remember him for many per-
Sonal kindnesSes. He was one Of the
most genial and kindly Representatives
in the House for more than a quarter
of a century. His success in the Speak
er's chair was due largely to his un-
derstanding Of his colleagues and their
understanding that he could be trusted.
While he has presided over the House
during trying period and made many
important rulings, which will be quoted
as precedents for many years, he will
best be remembered for his personality
and good fellowship, for the heart he
put into his work, as well as for his
brains.
Real Boss" Of House.
And yet Joe" Byrns was a real
boss in the House, and he was proud
of his House, boasting that it was the
best House he had known in all his
81 years of service there. Only yes
terday, he said. They are mighty fine
fellows, all doing their best as they
see it."
This tall, Stalwart, most always
smiling Tennesseean brought real
leadership TO the office of Speaker
and made the Office more powerful
than at any time since Cannon
CZaricn1" 4ho- -
quarter of a century ago. This was the
universal testimony today Of Democrats
and Republicans alike. who had close
daily contact with this exponent of
rugged individualism and devoted 10y
loyalty to party and President. 1t in
cludes those who were not with" him
in his election as House leader in the
previous Congress and as Speaker in
this Congress. He healed many sore
spots by his understanding and good
will toward all
Joe" Byrns. as he was generally
called. made his speakership out
standing and successful by not trying
to do it all himself. He sought CO.
operation, had almost daily confer
enceS with all the leaders and veterans
and active members of the House
Republicans and Farm-IIaborites, as
well as Democrats. He had his own
little board Of strategy. for promotion
OF party interests and to put through
most effectively the administration
program. The big four" were himself,
House Leader Bankhead, Chairman
O'Connor of the Rules Committee
(both of whom had fought him in the
leadership contest in the last Con-
greSS) and Pat Boland of Pennsyl-
vania. the Democratic whip" whom
he affectionately called my little
giant"
Sought Older Mems Advice.
He also insisted on Representative
Taylor of Colorado, who at the begin
ming Of this Congress was acting floor
leader, and who had served with him
since March 4, 1909. attending these
strategy meetings. Also Representative
SABBATH Of Illinois, dean of the House.
who served continuously since 1907.
He always sought and placed con-
tldence in the advice of the older men,
berS. even while he gave careful con-
sideration to the suggestion of the
younger members. Any member of
the House at any time had easy access
to Joe" Byrns and was sure in ad-
vance Of sympathetic, helpful assist
ance in any problem. He was a real
big brother" to them.
While seeking counsel of the elders,
Speaker Byrns was not at all reluctant
to assume full responsibility for party
leadership in the House, as Jack
Garner did before him-but they
worked it differently. Garner would
call in the KEY men of the recalcitrants