Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-16
bankhead Paid
Homage at
House Rites
Roosevelt in Front
Row; Royburn Named
Speaker Unanimously

President Roosevelt joined with
members of his cabinet. the diplo-
matte corps and members of the
Senate and House today in pay
ing official homage to the late
Speaker Bankhead at state funeral
services in the House chamber.
The President, his face solemn,
sat in the front row of the House
chamber almost directly in front
of the ffoWer-draped casket con-
tanning the body of Mr.. Bankhead
as the leaders with whom he served
in Congress arose. one py one, to
pay him reverent tribute.
The first eulogy came from Repre-
sentative Rayburn, the former ma
lorlty leader Of the House, who about
IS minutes previously had been
unanimously elected TO succeed Rep
resentative Bankhead as Speaker.
House Minority Leader Martin then
added his tribute.
Craftsmanship Praised.
For Is years or more was given
a rich friendship which I will re.
member 10 my last days" said
Speaker Rayburn. 1T was given to
me by great statesman, by a great
man with great soul
The House has lost great
leader; the country has lost a great
man"
And with his voice choking with
emotion, Speaker Rayburn con-
cluded:
will Bankhead was a human
being. He loved people en- masse.
His was a great soul"
Minority Leader Martin praised
Representative Bankheads char
acter and devotion to service as
well as what he described as his
rugged Americanism.'
"A fine life has ended he de-
clared. "A great American has
passed on
Tribute From Chaplain.
The Rev. James Shera Montgom-
cry, House chaplain. who conducted
the funeral services. also paid
glowing tribute. In his prayer, he
said:
Heavenly Father, We pause with
one accord in loving memory OF
him, our true friend and brother,
a renowned statesman and a pa
triot, whose distinguished services
have become a part of our Nations
history. Let this hour freshen and
deepen our devotion TO our country
as We pray at the shrine Of our
sorrowing hearts. Hear us as We be-
stow the silent tokens of our abiding
affection.
I'VE praise thee for his deep con-
victions of the right. courage, and
for his unsullied honor. Oh. blessed
! Lord God. the memory of this schol-
arly Christian gentleman. We will
not willingly allow to die out of our
aching hearts. He loved the good,
| the beautiful and the true and sa-
luted greater future for his brother
man.
Comfort the loved one. In the
| shadow of their great loss, vet in
/ the glow of a wonderful memory
| let the vision of Our Lord hang
in the chambers of our breasts and
Thine shall be the true glory for.
ever"
Quartet Sings Hymns
DR.. Montgomery also read the l03d
Psalm
The quartet of st. Margaret's Epis-
copal Church sang several hymns.
( President Roosevelt arrived for the
state funeral services shortly before
/ 12:45 O'Clock. Immediately after Mrs.
/ William B. Bankhead and the late
Speakers two daughters, Tallulah
and Mrs. Eugenia Hoyt. and his
| brother, Senator Bankhead of Ala
| bama, and other immediate relatives
of the bereaved family had taken
seats in the front row of the House
chamber.
/ Before them members of the Sem
ate and the diplomatic corps. fol-
lowed by members of the cabinet,
had filed in and taken their seats.
Mrs. Bankhead, heavily yelled in
black. came into the chamber on
the arm of Senator Bankhead, fol-
lowed by Tallulah Bankhead and
Mrs. Hoyt, both dressed in black
but unveiled.
The House chamber was crowded
and ore of the heaviest police
guards in history was scattered
throughout the Capitol until after
President Roosevelt had left.
Fifty headquarters detectives in
command of Inspector Ira E. Keck,
chief of detectives. augmented the
regular Capitol police force. In ad-
dition a score of secret service men
stood watch in the gallery and at
virtually all entrances.
The only spectators admitted for
the services were those TO whom
special invitations had been issued.
The House had convened prompt