Evening star., 1938-12-25
Capital SideIights
Bu Will P. Kennedy

The death Of Representative Stephen
w. Gambrill last week focuses attention
on one of the beautiful friendships that
occasionally are found in Congress Ed
ward D. Fugitt, his secretary for IA years,
was far more than secretary to Steve"
Gambrill. He was guide, counselor and
friend" Theirs was never a case of
boss and employe. They worked to-
gether, give and take, and Mr.. Gambrill
was always eager to give Mr.. Fugitt
abundant credit for his own political
success. He treasured his loyalty and
highly regarded his advice, made him
his campaign manager and confidant.
Old-timers around the Capitol emphasize
that 1t Is such cases as this that make
the most interesting illustration in the
life Of Congressman or the record of
Congress. Some of the most prominent
men who served in Congress have made
it their proudest achievement that they
helped to advance to places of distinc-
ton their friends" who served as Sec
retaries and best helpers. 1t is the loyalty
of the veteran employees on Capitol Hill,
their zeal for service" that has made
and kept Congress efficient.
The same principal issues OF social
security and welfare laws, tax proposals
and labor legislation which are scheduled
to engross the attention Of the incoming
Congress are also to be considered by A
of the 48 State Legislatures Legisla-
lures in 43 States, like Congress, will
convene in the early days of January,
while the Florida lawmakers will tackle
their problems in April These legisla.
tive bodies-all over the United States
are to discuss changes in social security
and welfare laws, including old-age pen
slons and unemployment compensation:
labor. civil service, marriage law revision
and increased State support for schools.
or course, methods Of financing these
new welfare proposals and Of supporting
direct relief are Of major Importance.
California, Minnesota, Nevada. Ver-
mont, Washington, Maine and Indiana
are among the States that will debate
Iberalized old-age pensions; Massachu-
setts Is set to consider reduced eligibility:
Colorado and North Dakota must ponder
how to finance their $45 and $40 a
month pension laws. New Hampshire,
Vermont and Oklahoma are to study ex-
tension Of unemployment compensation
laws. Vermont. Connecticut and Colo
RADIO will consider improvement OF well
fare facilities. Texas, Massachusetts,.
Nevada and Oregon are facing sales tax
bills. while Missouri will consider an in
crease from 2 to per cent; Maine and
Connecticut, State income taxes; Colo
RADIO. business and corporation tax;
New Jersey, q 1-mill corporation tax;
Colorado, to put income tax revenues
into the general fund and revise the in
come tax rates; Oklahoma, Nebraska,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin,, to reduce
gasoline tax levies.
Wage-hour proposals to complement
the Federal law are due for discussion
in Connecticut California, Iowa, Massa-
chusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, Utah and Vermont; Wisconsin
will consider revision Of collective bar.
gaining; Vermont, establishment Of q
State labor department. Virginia is one
Of seven States that will consider bills
requiring premarital physical examina-
tions, as now in force in 10 States. Civil
service legislation is on the program for
discussion in Alabama, Georgia, Mime
sofa. Iowa, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas, Connecticut, Michigan, Massachu-
sets and Colorado.
i 4
One OF the most popular young men,
bers Of Congress-Representa Will
liam B. Barry of Long 1sland-was born
in Ireland 36 years ago, and he has
just been reelected by one Of the larg-
est majorities given any candidate fol
the House mot running "at large") In
many year1(