Evening star., 1939-12-12
Mopes
Continued From First Page.)

Committee and was regarded as
assistant minority leader of the
House, although officially there is
no such post. He was seen more
often beside Representative Martin
Of Massachusetts, the minority lead
er or beside some ranking Repub-
lican committee member at the
minority table, than in the ranks.
Yet, despite his qualities of leader
ship Mr.. Mapes was unassuming and
the two lines to which he confined
his biography in the Congressional
Directory were typical.
The passing of the veteran Michi-
gan member leaves Representative
Hamilton Fish of New York as rank
ing minority member of the Rules
Committee. Representative j. Will
Taylor of Tennessee, who would
have been in line for this place,
died few weeks ago.
Assigned to d. c. Committee.
When he entered Congress on
March 4. 1918, Mr.. Mapes' first as
signment was to the District Com
mittee. Others who came on the
same date were Representatives
Rayburn Of Texas, now majority
leader; Sumner of Texas, chairman
of the Judiciary Committee, and
Treadway, Republican, of Massa-
chusetts.
Starting his 9th year last March
4, Mr.. Mapes commented:
Il can recall that when we first
came to Congress the Republicans
used to gather in the cloak rooms
and speculate whether the party
ever would be revived. We were
surrounded by Democrats and Bull
Moosers and President Wilson was
in the White House"
Later Mr. Mapes saw his party
come into power and himself made
unofficial Mayor of Washington. "
The special committee on fiscal af-
fairs which he headed was ap-
pointed July 3, 1880.
Politically he was regarded as
a conservative. and he usually
sought to steer a middle of the
road" course.
Mr.. Mapes was born in Kalamo
Township. Eaton County, Mich, De-
cember 26. 1874. He attended Olivet
College and was graduated in law
at the University of Michigan. His
first public Office was as prosecuting
attorney of Kent County, of which
Grand Rapids Is the seat. He
married Miss Julia Pike Of Grand
Rapids on August IA, 1907. and they
had three children, Robert W.,
John F. and Jane E. Pike.
Martin Pays Tribute.
Before coming to Washington Mr..
Mapes served three terms in the
Michigan Legislature, two In the
Senate and one in the House.
State Attorney General Thomas
Read of Grand Rapids said today
special election would be necessary
to fill Mr.. Mapes' place in Congress.
House Minority Leader Martin
paid this tribute to his principal
ADVISER:
THE death of Carl Mapes comes
as great shock, as he was one of
my closest friends. He was a man
of the finest character and the high
est integrity. His service was most
unselfish and was solely to that
which would best promote the well
fare of the country. No man had
a better knowledge of the rules of
the House or a better grasp of the
problems before the country. The
entire House will join with Michigan
in the sorrow which comes from
the passing of an able, honest and
conscientious public official"
Five House Vacancies.
The death of Representative
Mapes leaves five vacancies in the
House membership, all Republicans
In addition to his status as rank.
ing Republican on the Rules Com.
mittee, the Michigan veteran hac
the same position on the Inter.
state Commerce Committee.