Evening star., 1936-06-05
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Speakers OF the House, although they
cuStomarily reach the rostrum after more
or less fierce strife within their own
party ranks or after a bipartisan con-
test, generally earn the unalloyed respect
and affection of the entire membership,
regardless of politics. Joe ByrnS was no
exception to the rule. He was truly be-
loved in every quarter OF the House.
Mourning over his untimely end is uni
versal and genuine. The feeling on all
hands is that the Speaker fell in action
like a soldier, succumbing to overwork
in connection with efforts to speed the
session toward early adjournment. The
Presidents plans to attend the Tennes-
seean's funeral at Nashville testify to
Mr.. RooSevelt's profound appreciation OF
the late Speakers Jealous and unf1ag-
eing service to the administration
throughout the present Congress. De-
spite the topheavy Democratic House
majority, it has not always been smooth
sailing for New Deal measures and
schemes Time and again it was neces-
Sary to exercise pressure in this or that
direction. On such occasions ByrnS'
popularity and powers of conciliation
proved a tower of strength for White
House purposes. Because of the high
repute he had acquired as majority
leader of the Seventy-third Congress,
Byrns' home district honored him with
reelection in 1884 without opposition.
* 4
Believe it or not, Democrats who will
have most to do with shaping the cam
paign for President Roosevelt's re-elec-
ton will tell you that Gov. Landon is
about the most vulnerable Republican
that could be pitted against him. Asked
to specify what they consider some OF
the weak spots in the KanSan's armor,
they indicate that his greatest liability
will probably be his necessity to aSSau
various outstanding aspects OF the New
Deal, like the A. A. A. program, OF
which he once heartily approved. AS
Chairman Farley'S speeches have sug-
eested. Rooseveltians also are preparing
to make much of the "nonentity" issue
-Landon's alleged inexperience, lack
of qualifications" for job as big as the
presidency, and the fact that he is not
identified before the country with any,
thing savoring of program. Democrats
who suggest these lines of attack assert
that before the campaign has progressed
very far the electorate will be con-
vinced of the unwiSdom of swapping
horses in midstream.'
X X
It goes without saying that Landon
enthusiasts snort at these cocksure
Democratic aspersions of the typical
prairie State" executive. They are Ger
tain that from the moment the people
make the Kansan'S close-range ac-
uuaintance he will grow on them. They
argue that the very fact that the Gov
ernor is devoid of the spectacular arts
of showmanship and is an unaffected
exponent of common sense in his con-
cept of public affairs will make an in
stantaneous and tremendous hit and win
him cumulative friendship and support.
While no claims to talents of overtower-
ing statemanship are made on Lam
don'S behalf, nearly everybody who has
met him, including professional news
paper observers, came away from Topeka
convinced that the Governor like some
other "unknowns" who reached the
White House, will measure up to preSi-
Dental responsibilities. His successful
experience both in business and public
life and his habit of confronting Situa-
ton with his feet on the ground are
cited as guarantees on this score.
u X
Many members OF the Washington