The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-09

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steamed up-loOk out!
Sam more than makes up for
lost time. He can storm and cuss
with q flashing grimness.
This trait Is one Of the chief
characteristics Of the new demo-
cratic generalissimo Of the House
Outwardly, he Is friendly and
soft-spoken. But his jaw Is
square and decisive, and plenty Of
hot blood flows In his veins. Born
In Tennessee and reared N Texas,
Sam can and will fight stubbornly
and relentlessly.
Velvet Glove
This mailed-fist-in-a velvet
glove quality was displayed re-
peatedly during the fierce strug-
giles over the holding company
and stock exchange control acts.
The House Interstate Commerce
Committee, which Sam headed,
handled the two measures. The
committee was recalcitrant and
obstreperous. Also, some of the
chief democratic leaders, the late
Speaker ole Byrns and John o.
Conner, chairman Of the rules
committee, secretly were against
the bills.
The situation was enough TO
try the patience of q Job. A less
canny fighter would have flown
off the handle q dozen times.
There was plenty Of provoca-
ton.
But loss Of temper would have
meant playing into the oppose
tions hands. That was exactly
what 1t tried in every way to
provotek Rayburn into doing
and he was wise enough to know
1t. 80 he kept his head and let
his foes do the ranting and raw
ing, while he quietly but tenaci-
ously drove the measures through
to enactment.
Majority Leaders
Sam Is majority floor leader Of
the House today because of his
masterful leadership in those his
toric legislative battles.
They not only won him the
gratitude of the President, but
the wholesome respect and ad-
miration Of his colleagues. He
won a 100 per cent victory, but
ne left no personal animosities.
The achievement was the most
: brilliant display OF parliamentary
skill in the first four years Of
the New Deal.
Plain Sam
Sam is Just as plain and simple
as his name.
II was named Sam, not
Samuel" he says. awe don't
believe in putting ON airs in our
family"
That holds true for his an
pearance, his speech and way of
living. Fifty-five years old, five
foot six in height. bald. slightly
corpulent. Sam was one of ii
children, eight bows and I, !.
girls. Three Of his brothers In
dead. Sam married in early man
hood but was divorced several
years later. He has no children
and never remarked.
In Washington he lives In a
two-room furnished apartment. To
keep In shape ne walks daily part
way to his Capitol office and
plays q little golf. But his golf
game is not one Of his strong
points.
II talk q better game than
play" ne says.
Like his close friend and fellow
Texan Vice President Garner,
Sam dislikes society and shuns
1t. He does like to get together
occasionally with a group OF in
Inmates, but dress-up affairs bore
and annoy him.
Sam dresses quietly and with
out adornment-a blue suit, dark
tan shoes, white shirt with soft
collar and q dark tie.
A friend once suggested that he
get q sports model topcoat. Sam
shook his head. Nope" he said,
Nothing like that. When q man
OF my age starts wearing gay
clothes, you can put him down As
getting light In the head
FARMER
AS soon as Congress adjourns,
Sam takes the first train out for
his farm home two miles from the