The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-14

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Joseph T. Robinson, jr.
nephew of the Senator, wa:
called to the apartment from
his home in nearby Virginia
He took immediate charge Of
the apartment and began ef
forts to contact the widow
in the family home in Little
Rock, Ark, where she is
visiting.
Following his visit to the apart
ment, DR.. Calver revealed that
Senator Robinson had been Suf'
fering from heart trouble for some
time, adding:
"'He suffered an attack on the
Senate floor, I think, when he
introduced his court bill and
made a three-hour speech"
Almost lost in the surge of Con-
greSSmen who rushed to the Rob
inson suite when his death became
known was a slight, baldish man
who, as editor of the Pine Bluff
(Ark.) Graphic some IS years ago,
aided Senator Robinson in his
first political campaign. The man,
a friend Of ?6 years standing, was
M. B. SolmSon, now chief OF the
distribution division Of the U.
s. Constitution Sesquicentennial
Commission. He appeared visibly
affected by the sudden passing OF
his friend.
Word Spreads Quickly
Word of the fatality spread
quickly over Capitol Hill and into
the homes Of the members OF the
Senate who have watched the
doughty wheelhorse of the RooSe'
welt Administration make the bat
tie of his political life on the
floor directing the course Of the
Supreme Court debate.
The death Of the leader struck
with lightning suddenness. AL
though he was not present in the
Senate yesterday as the debate
continued, little significance was
attached to his absence. He ap'
peared in his office at the Capt,
toll and decided to remain off the
floor, close friends said today, be
cause Of the heat and the verbal
attacks which have been levelled
against him by opponents Of the
bill in the past few days.
The House and Senate met
and speedily adjourned today out
of respect to Senator Robinson
A committee of % House mem
berS, headed by Majority Leader
Rayburn and Minority Leader
Smell, were named by the Speaker
to attend the funeral services.
One of the first to be notified
was Col. Edwin A. Halsey. secre-
tary Of the Senate, who in turn
Immediately wired Vice President
John Nance Garner, who is vacar
tioning at Uvalde, Tex. It is ex-
pected that the Vice President will
leave Immediately for the Capitol.
Approaching IS
The majority leader was be.
ieved to have been in the best
of health. He would have been IS
August 26.
Less than five minutes after the
official announcement Of his death
was made. the tremendous reac.
ton to the fatality set in.
AS majority leader, the Arkansas
Senator has borne the brunt OF the
fight in favor Of the dictates of
his President. President RooSe.
welt depended more upon this party
Stalwart to put his plan through
Congress than anyone else on the
Hill"
Pressure Sustained
Opponents Of the bill, realizing
that to break the court plan they
must break the stubborn resist
ance of their leader, or undermine
his strength, have hammered away
at him since the debate began
July 6.
As the pressure oyer the fight
mounted, observers marveled at
the restraint shown by this noun
tain Of a man, who had hitherto
been quick to retaliate in every
verbal battle. He realized, how
ever, that the uncomfortable prod
ding he was being given in debate
was part Of the opponents STRAIT
egg and only arose to reply to his
tormenterS on two occasions.
Strain Takes Toll
Although no official announce
ment of his physician has been
made as yet, it is generally con
ceded that this terrific strain
caused the condition which led
to his death.
The Arkansas Senator has been
leader of the Senate since 1922
and was one Of the outstanding
opponents of the New Deal.
The White House was notified
Of his demise by the Washington
Times. Secretary Stephen T. Early