Evening star., 1938-01-04
SENATOR GLASS,8O
SET FOR SESSION
Virginian, Mentally Alert and
Dynamic, Expected to
Be in Debates.
By ], A. O'LEARY.

Elgnty years young UOOay, VuRAald
distinguished Democrat, Senator Car
ter Glass is ready to play his part
in what promises to be lively session
Of Congress.
Mentally alert, as dynamic as ever
in spirit, he probably will be found
in the thick Of debate when the Senate
buckles down to solution of the coun-
try's current economic problems this
winter.
The courage and ability to speak
his own mind on any question, even
when it means clashing with his
party leaders, is the outstanding at
tribute of this veteran Of 40 years of
public service. But he also possesses
another trait, equally strong, not to
speak until he thinks it's time to fire.
And so, during the last few days,
he has refrained from voicing his
views on major issues that await the
Congress as it reassembles, including
the business setback
A critic of the New Deal whenever
he has believed it wrong, the Vir-
ginian's views will be awaited with in
terest as the session progresses on
such questions as the administration S
attitude toward business, efforts to
balance the budget and other i'm
portant problems of 1898.
Holds Own in Repartee.
To the casual observer Senator Glass
gives the appearance of the stern,
scholarly man who sees only the
serious side of his lawmaking duties
But those who know him appreciate
also the keen, spontaneous wit that
enables him to more than hold his
own in good-natured repartee.
At the fourscore mile post Mr. Glass
Is found actively directing the i'm
portant Senate Appropriations Com
mittee, and serving also as the rank
ing Democratic member of the Bank
ing and Currency Committee. A slight
allment kept him away from his Office
last week, but he was back on the
job when Congress met yesterday.
8 It is in the field of banking and
currency legislation that Senator
Glass has achieved his most notable
successes in public life. While still a
member of the House, back in 1913,
he directed the drafting, and became
known as the father of the Federal
Reserve System In later years he has
xealously guarded the reserve bank
ing system from efforts to alter its
basic features.
g Exercises Own Judgment.
Senator Glass has always stood by
his party in its national campaigns,
but he also exercises his own judg-
fnent on particular issues as they
arise. An incident three years ago
illustrates his desire to do his duty
without sitting his own convictions.
When the administration proposed a
$4,880, 100000 work relief bill, Senator
Glass thought it went too far, and
tried to have it cut down in COM
mittee. He did not succeed, but as
chairman of the appropriations group,
1t became his task to take the measure
before the Senate. Carrying out the
mandate of the committee, he steered
the bill successfully through days of
debate to final passage, but was one
OF few Democrats who voted
against it.
Again last year, when the admins
tration launched its plan to enlarge
the Supreme Court, provoking one
OF the major controversies of recent
years, Senator Glass left sick bed
to join a group Of other Democrats
In opposition. In one of his rare
radio broadcasts. the fiery Virginian
described the court plan as "abomi-
nable" and "repugnant scheme"
The split in Senate Democratic ranks
over the court issue sent the bill back
TO committee pigeon hole.
a Advocates Sound Currency.
1nflationary proposals put forward
IN Congress during the last few years
also have found Senator Glass on his
feet in defense of sound currency
policies.
In 1886 when his home town of
Lynchburg was preparing to observe
the sesquicentennial Of its establish
ment. the citizens there made plans
to have the mint coin a special So
cent piece bearing the profile of SEN
ator Glass, as remembrance of the
occasion. The Senator protested, but
his neighbors were not to be dissuaded.
and succeeded in having their plan
to honor him carried out.
Senator Glass was born at LYNCH
burg on January 4, 1858, the son of
Robert Henry and Augusta Christian
Glass. His mother died while he was
small boy: His father was a news
paper editor, but his financial progress
was impaired by the Civil War. The
Senator started life as a printers
devil in the composing room, turn
ing later to reporting and editorial
writing. His biography in the Con-
gressional Directory states that he
was educated in private and public
schools and in the newspaper busi-
ness" While still young man and
with only small amount of cash to
start, he bought first one, and later
another newspaper in Lynchburg.
Entered House in 1902.
Mr. Glass began attending Demo-
cratic national conventions as a dele
gate in 1892. In 1902 he entered the
national political arena as a member
OF the House. In his early days in
the House his party was in the
minority. but the new Representative
from Virginia plunged into a painstak-
ing study of the money question, both
mere and abroad. As a result, when
the issue became a paramount one
during the first Wilson administration.
Glass was prepared for the task of
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