Evening star., 1938-12-04
Capital Side|ights
BIZ Will P. Kennedy

Congress and the entire Federal serv-
ice has It's own natural proving grounds
for career service In both legislation and
administration. The State Legislatures
provide the largest training schools for
career men for the National Government.
This is shown in the present and incom-
ing Congresses. confirming . study just
completed by Prof. John Brown Mason
OF the department OF social science Of
Fresno State College for the Public Ad-
ministration Clearing House Council.
In the present Congress Vice President
Garner, Speaker Bankhead, House Lead
er Rayburn and a majority Of the men,
bers Of both Senate and House came up
from the State Legislatures -Rayburn
was Speaker Of the Texas House. In
contrast to this both Senate leaders,
Barkley for the Democrats and McNary
for the Republicans, did not have previ-
Gus legislative experience. Other nota-
bic exceptions are the deans Of both
housessenator Borah Of Idaho and
Representative SABBATH Of Illinois, each
Of whom has served 80 years.
The record shows that during the past
10 years more than one-third Of the
membership Of the United States Con-
gress was made up Of former members OF
State Assemblies. More than IS per cent
OF the Speakers of the National House Of
Representatives during the past $50 years
graduated from State Legislatures.
The dignity Of cabinet posts has been
attained by l25 former State Legislators,
of these 81 headed the Department OF
Justice. The Departments Of State,
Treasury, War and Post once each has
been administered by II former members
of State law-making bodies. Nineteen
Secretaries Of the Navy served In
State Legislatures, as have also 10 Secre-
taries OF the Interior, 4 Secretaries Of
Agriculture and Secretaries of Com
merce. In the present cabinet Secretary
Of State Hull, Postmaster General Far
ley and Secretary OF Commerce Roper
served in State Legislatures. Secretary
Of War Woodring OF Kansas and Secre-
tary OF the Navy Swanson of Virginia
were Governors Of their respective States.
Nearly one-half Of the 81 justices who
have served on the United States ST.
preme Court bench had previously sat in
State legislative houses.
In the present Congress Representative
Joseph w. Martin of Massachusetts,, who
is to be elected minority leader, served In
both houses of the State Legislature Out
Of the Is Senators heading the seniority
list for length Of service, 5 previously
helped to make State laws-Senators
Smith, South Carolina; Ashurst, Ari-
zona; Hale, Maine; King, Utah, and
Glass, Virginia. Ashurst was speaker In
the Territorial House, later in the Senate
and when statehood was attained was
the unanimous choice Of the Legislature
to be first United States Senator from
Arizona. King was president Of the Utah
Territorial Council. Senators johnson
Of California and Capper Of Kansas had
been Governors Of their respective States.
Thirteen out Of the 20 House mem
bers who have served the longest made
their start in State Legislatures. Repre-
sentative Taylor, Colorado, chairman Of
the House Appropriations Committee,
Oldest in age In the House and second
oldest in length Of service, was 0 State
Senator for IL years. Others are: Repre-
sentatives Doughton, North Carolina,
chairman Of Ways and Means. State
Senate; Mapes, Michigan. Senate and
House; Treadway, Massachusetts,. House
and Senate, President Of the Senate;
vinson. Georgia. chairman of Naval A.
fairs, Speaker Of the Georgia House:
Steagall, chairman Of Banking and Cur
rency; Tfnkham, Massachusetts,; sulli-
van, New York, IL years in State Senate:
Crosser, Ohio; Dowell, IL years In Iowa
House and Senate: Crowther. New York,
served In the New Jersey House; Cullen,
New York, House and Senate. The House
seniors who did not have previous leeis-
lative training are, in addition to Mr..
SABBATH: Summers, Texas, chairman Of
Judiciary; Bland, Virginia. chairman Of
Merchant Marine and Fisheries: Jones,
Texas. chairman Of Agriculture; Knut-
son, Minnesota; Lea, California. chair
man Of the Democratic CAUCUS: Mans-
field, Texas. chairman Of Rivers and
Harboes.