The Wilmington morning star., 1940-01-02
WASHINGTON
DAYBOOK
By PRESTON GROVER

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Washington chron-
iclers would give a mint for the compact card
index record that Leslie Biffle keeps of those
dramatic little moments of Senate history which
never see daylight.
Few senators know that he keeps it. ONLY
one, to our knowledge, ever saw any part of
it. He was the late Senator Joe Robinson of
Arkansas. Biffle was one of his closest con-
fidantes.
Biffle is secretary to the Democratic ma
jorlty in the Senate. He has been secretary and
assistant secretary for Is years. You can mag
Inc the nature of some of the things that
come his way-stories of the pressure put on
a hayward senator to get him to vote right:
the painful, or pleasurable, little political deals
that go on.
Like a senatorial Samuel Pepys, Bifle puts
them all into his card index file in complete
detail-for some future use he has not yet de-
cided upon.
, Keeps 1t To Himself
. Magazines have offered him handsome Sums
for access to the material. Biff Che rarely hears
his first name) refuses. We managed to pry
out OF him one example of what is contained
in the diary-provided no names were used.
On q certain day the Senate took a three
nour afternoon recess. 1t was near dinner time.
Most OF the senators went out to eat. One went
Tor a drink or two and in an hour was we'll
on edge. He bought a paper and from it's
columns read a story that enraged him.
wrote that?" he stormed. Back in the cloak
room he came upon Biff. "Ill get that man."
he told Biff.
Later, when the Senate resumed session
the senator again came upon Biff. To Biff's
amazement he exhibited two pistols, one on
each hip. He was determined to violate the
freedom of the press in a big way.
Biff promised to find the reporter and did.
He didn't tell him all the gruesome details
but emphasized what a nasty scene might break
out IN public. Blff is a diplomat, and the news.
men trust him, so the reporter obliginglv
holed up for the night. By morning all had
blown over. Biff says the senator isn't in Of
flee now.
Leslie Blfle is a slenderish, quietly-disposed
fellow who has been working for the Senate
in one capacity or another ever since he left
high school in 1912. He began as clerk to the
late Senator James P. Clarke of Arkansas. For
a time he was superintendent of the folding
room, where senatorial packages mail is put
together. From there, in 1925, he went to tho
floor as assistant secretary to what
then was the Democratic minority.
Biff is painstaking and methodical about
compiling his quaint record. He doesn't make
a daily account. He jots down a brief note,
then at night, types a summary on a stiff card.
He keeps two copies, one at the Capitol and
one at home-just in case.
AS majority secretary he helps the majority
leader round up voters on important legisla.
ton. There are many other duties as well,
Of necessity, he is taken into the condolences
of dozens of senators.
That is a major reason why Biff keeps his
diary so secret. Once he showed a few cards
to Senator Robinson. Robinson roared with
glee at some of the entries.
Biff says some day-a long time from now
he may try to do something with the stuff.
If he cut loose at this time the senatorial peace
would be shattered for a generation.