Evening star., 1937-01-06
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

No matter what Capitol political
weather vanes betoken-and authorities
agree that they forecast plenty of storm
and stress-the diamond jubilee Con-
gress gets away to the friendliest of
starts. In both House and Senate the
EZRA of good feeling" on opening day was
omnipresent. AS usual, preliminarics in
each branch took place in the atmos.
phere Of Homecoming week. Glad
handing. elbow-greasing and back slap
ping were the universal order. Old men,
bers were graciousness personified In
passing freshman colleagues around and
making them welcome. A messenger
from Mars wouldn't have imagined that
such thing as party lines existed. It's
everybody's secret that it won't be long
before honeymoon days will vanish and
give way to more or less old-faShiOned
strife. as members line up pro or con
Roosevelt policies. The administration
will prevail in the long run on virtually
all occasions. yet rs to Insurgency within
the tremendous Democratic majorities,
it's not q question whether it will break
out. but merely = matter Of when and
where.
Representative O'Connor of New York,
who succumbed to Representative Ray
burn Of Texas in the knockdown and
dragout over the Democratic floor lead.
ership. took his medicine like . thorough
going sport. Up to the final round 1t
looked Is If the contest might leave
behind an enduring trail Of bad blood.
Friends of both men now believe by
cones are definitely bygones and that
the majority generaliSsimO and the Rules
Committee chairman will work together
like . pair Of long-lost brothers. Their
otncial duties require Rayburn and
OCOnnor to cooperate closely. II battle
aftermath vows are kept. nothing will
put the late friendly enemies aSunder.
- -
It was case of ladies first" or rather.
the lady first. In the Senate at swearing
in time. Mrs. Caraway Of Arkansas led
the oath-taking procession down the
aisle. because Of her States alphabetical
precedence. As she offered. her arm to
her colleague, Senate Majority Leader
Joe Robinson. Among Republican Sena-
tors escorted by Democrats, In the abb
sence of G. o. p. colleagues from their
own States, were Borah of Idaho, Capper
of Kansas, Bridges Of New Hampshire
and Lodge of Massachusetts,. Democrats
who accepted Republican chaperonage
included Brown Of Michigan, who walked
with Senator Vandenberg, and Hughes
Of Delaware, with Senator Townsend.
White Of Maine, on the arm Of Senator
Hale, and Minority Leader McNary OF
Oregon, escorted by Senator Steiwer,
were the lone Republican marchers to
the rostrum with partners OF their own
political hue.
Senator Walsh. Democrat, of Massa-
chuSetts. partisan considerations wholly
aside. probably derived some sentimental
pride from leading youthful Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge. jr.. to the platform.
Though Walsh was long ranged against
Lodges distinguished grandfather In the
Bay State political arena. they remained
warm friends. During the League OF
Nations battle there was memorable
occasion when Senator Lodge came elo-
quently to the defense Of his junior COLI
league, Walsh, after the latter had been
subjected to . bitter attack by Senator
John Sharp Williams Of Mississippi. Fol-
lowing Senator Lodges death In 1924.
Walsh delivered In his honor one Of the
most impressive eulogies to which the
Senate has ever listened in our time.
Friends Of young Lodge, cynosure Of all
eyes yesterday, say that he's come TO
the Senate ito see how things are
done" before embarking upon ventures
b Do thinlD himself. Optnio0 y Uni.