The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-16

CoSAk1Oo, 1AAS 4ASAO VI OAAS AAe
 The big names got all the pub licity, but in the House all the praise is for youngster whose name was scarcely mentioned. But he left his mark on the battle as COP. campaign managers will ruefully attest.
 Their Nemesis and the Demo- crats' unknown hero was Rep resentative Lyndon Baines John son, a rangy, 32-year old, black haired, handsome Texan, who has been in Congress only three years but who has political magic at his finger tips, and way with him that is irresistible in action.
 How Johnson took over the Democratic congressional cam paign when 1t looked as if the party was sure to lose the House, without fanfare turned a route into a cocky triumph, is one of the untold epics of the election.
 Three weeks before November 5 you could have cut the gloom around Democratic congressional headquarters with a knife. The campaign committee, headed by Rep. Pat Drewry, charming and dawdling Virginian, had col- lapsed like the minister's one-hoss shay. Activity had so begged down that hard-pressed candidates had quit even asking for help. It was just a waste of time.
 For the Republicans 1t looked like lead-pipe cinch at long last to regain control of the House. They needed only 48 new seats, and strongly supported COP can didateS were .storming the ram parts against frantic Democratic incumbents in more than 100 districts.
 ENTER JOHNSON
 This was the situation when Speaker Sam Rayburn and Floor Leader John Mccormack went to the President and told him some thing had to be done and done quick. He said, What do you suggest?"
 Put Lyndon Johnson in charge and give him a free hand"
 Sold" replied Roosevelt. "That was my idea, too. That boy has got what's needed. Tell Lyndon to see me tomorrow"
 Johnson saw the President at breakfast the next morning. Three hours later he had an office (tucked away in a downtown busi- ness building) and staff rolling in high gear. And it continued rolling fifteen and eighteen hours a day for the remainder of the campaign.
 The response to Johnson's dy- mamie drive was electric. Im- periled candidates, who had given up hope of any outside help, fell on his neck with piteous cries. Overnight sos calls began to pour in from coast to coast. None went unheeded.
 In all, Johnson aided more than 15O Democratic congress siOnaI candidates. The results speak for themselves. Instead of capturing the House, the Repub- Iicans lost six seats, and the Democrats emerged stronger than ever.
 BORN POLITICIAN
 Lyndon Johnson is a born poli- tician. His father was a member of the Texas Legislature for many years and Lyndon plunged to his neck in politics while still in col lege, putting on whirlwind cam paien for State Seante candi- date.
 But Johnson didn't come up the easy way. He worked for his tuition through San Marcos Teachers College as a day laborer on highway projects, later taught public speaking in Houston schools.
 There he caught the eye of Representative Dick Kleberg. one of the owners Of the famed King ranch. largest in the world. who brought him to Washington as his secretary in le32. Several years later. when the National Youth Administration was created. John son. who had attracted the at- tention of leading New Dealers. was appointed VIVA director for Texas.