Evening star., 1936-02-08
MOURN
DEATH OF CURTIS
Former Colleagues on Capt.
tol Hill Pay Tribute
to Memory.

The many friends of Charles Curtis
on Capitol Hill mourned the loss of
an able leader and an amiable, sport
loving companion.
No man in the Senate worked
harder or longer, although Mr.. Curtis
was not adverse to little fun on oc-
casion, even during working hours.
As presiding officer, he drew many
chuckles out of Republican colleagues
who were In on his well-known "nickle
bet"
Curtis would quietly draw scent
piece from his pocket and lay it on
the desk when "Tom" Hefiin. Alabama
Democrat. would take the floor.
He would nod to his colleagues and
they usually took the bet, although
the Vice President nearly always won.
The wager was that in five minutes
Hefiin would be aSsailing his old enemy
Wall Street.
Join In Paying Tribute.
Republicans and Democrats alike
joined in paying tribute to Mr.. Curtis
as a conscientious leader who was ever
lastingly on the job. demanding action
instead of words
With regard to Mr.. Curtis, Vice
President Garner said: 81 was always
very fond of him. I was associated
with him in the House and then the
Senate. He was fine man and a
good friend"
Old timers on Capitol Hill recalled
that when he retired from public life
in 1888 he had served at the Capitol
longer than any other man. first in
the House, then the Senate, and
finally as Vice President
He was one of the most popular
men in Congress during his career
OF more than 80 years. Always a party
Stalwart. Mr.. Curtis rarely made a
speech, yet he was recognized as one
of the sblest leaders of recent years.
Broke Dozens of Gavels,
When Mr.. Curtis became presiding
officer he insisted on order in the
Senate and broke dozens of gayels
pounding to get it.
One of the bitterest social contro-
VeTsies in Washington in recent years
was precipitated when Mr.. Curtis in
sisted that Mrs. Dolly Gam, his sis
ter and official hostess, be given prece-
oent at seating at official dinners
over Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
wife OF the Speaker of the House.
Since Mr.. Curtis retired from Of
fice and took up the practice of law
here he found time to keep in touch
with Republican politics and was a
warm supporter Of All M. Landon.
Governor Of Kansas, for the Republic
an presidential nomination.
Mr.. Curtis was an enthusiastic
race track fan. and was a familiar
ngure at the Maryland meets. He
never lost the love of horses which
was heritage of his boyhood on the
indian reservations of the West.
Mr.. Curtis at the age of was sent
to live with Indian relatives in the
kaw agency at Council Grove. Charlie
was playing with other boys some five
years later when the crack of Chey-
enne rifles sent them scurrying be-
hind barricades.
The Indians fought all day and
when night came the 10-year-old
Charlie was chosen to ride for help
to the white friends of the Kaws so
miles away at Topeka.
He slipped through the enemy lines
and accomplished the long ride in an
incredibly short time. His tribe was
rescued and the boy became a hero.
Soon he began riding race horses at
the tracks near Topeka, and the ex-
perience OF his early days on the
plains was valuable to the young
jockey.
The friends of Mr.. Curtis here
knew him as good poker player,
more than q match for the best of
the old-timers on Capitol Hill.
Tributes Are Numerous.
Tributes to Mr. Curtis were numer-
Gus. and included:
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas:
Il am shocked. We grew up together
in Kansas and were both natives. The
former Vice President was the first
native Kansan to be elected to the
Senate and was the first native to be
elected Governor. We lived across the
street from each other in Topeka for
q number Of years. I had highest re-
gard for him. as did the people of
Kansas, and his death is a loss to the
State. He made q wonderful public
record"
Senator McNary of Oregon, Repub-
hcan leader:
He was q quiet and effective leader