Evening star., 1938-05-05
Senatorial Incidents as
Seen From the Gallery

To the Editor OF The Star:
Attendance at the Senate galleries Is
generally interesting and instructive, and
sometimes thrilling, as when an orator
Of the Senate reaches heights Of elo-
quence that hold one spellbound.
Arriving early in the gallery. you are
likely to have opportunities Of making
interesting chance acquaintance. They
come from all parts of the country and
sometimes from abroad. They are like
ships that pass in the night, how
ever but sometimes some Of them linger
In your memory very pleasantly.
My Seatmate this morning was an
intelligent man from Northwestern
city who each spring stops of for q
month In Washington on his way home
from Florida. He volunteered that he
was a Democrat, but not New Dealer.
He was interested in ascertaining how
the provisions Of the new tax bill, as
agreed to in conference, would affect
some profits accruing on securities held
for some time. Lucky man to have any
paper profits these times!
The movements on the floor of Senator
Barkley of Kentucky, Democratic floor
leader, hold the attention Of the GAL
leries. He is very substantial looking
man, deliberate and placid, and II he
has any concern about his reelection
this fall, he does not show any of 1t
to the galleries. Mention him to a
Senate employe and the latter Is apt
to say that he hopes the Senator will
be reelected as he is jolly good fellow.
This morning, arriving before the ses-
sion began, as Senator Barkley usually
does, group OF young men ranged
themselves in front Of his desk, as If
before an oracle, apparently for advice
or information, which he seemed to
give in a pleasant manner, and as the
group moved of he called out to them
some evidently jocular remark which
caused them to laugh joyfully.
A few days ago saw Senator Barkley
make what struck me as particularly
nice and magnanimous gesture. Some
of my readers may recall heated ex-
change of personalities which occurred
on the Senate floor April last between
Senator Minton. Democrat, from Indiana
and Senator Rush Holt, Democrat. of
West Virginia. the hoy Senator" In
the course of that clash Senator Minton
said that Senator Holt could put all
his friends in telephone BOOTH
Mentioning Senator Holt to one OF
the Senate attendants. was told. Yes.
Rush Holt is very bright boy, but
he seemed to get of on the wrong foot
in the Senate, starting with some patron
age matters" 1t is understood, there
fore, that he has been somewhat persona
non grata to the New Dealers, especially
as he has made several brilliant speeches
against some of their pet measures
Senator Holt has impressed me, from
the gallery. as somewhat forlorn and
solitary figure in his seat, seldom con-
ferred with or consulted on the floor by
the New Dealers.
Well one day recently Senator Bark
ley left his seat, walked clear around
to Senator Hollis seat, took out of his
pocket some little gadget, OF apparently
particular interest, and exhibited it to
Senator Holt. The latter seemed much
pleased at this action by Senator Bark
ley took the article, examined it with
great interest, and returned it to Senator
Barkley, who put 1t in his pocket and
went back to his seat.
On its face. this little incident would
appear to be only triffling and ordinary
one, but to regular gallery visitor
knowing Of the strained political rela-
tons between Senator Holt and faction
Of his party, this action by Senator
Barkley would look like kindly and
conciliatory one.
HENRY A. HAYWARD.