Evening star., 1941-01-05
Glass Embarrassed by Friends Praise on 83d Birthday
Senator Fidges as He Awaits Hour for Luncheon His Honor;
Fovor All Aid for British Entering War
Nv CARTER BROOKE JONES.

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q little nervous.
It was his 83d birthday. But
that wasn't why he fidgeted and
watched the clock Clearly the
sands in his own hour-glass gave
him no concern.
He wouldn't say so, of course
he's too gallant a Virginian-but
anybody who knew him could have
told you what was bothering him.
1t was something less than 20 min
utes distant. 1t was luncheon
which a group Of his colleagues. in
the Senate and IN the Government
were giving in his honor over at
the Capitol.
Senator Glass didn't discuss the
luncheon, except to say the proper
thing, that it was nice of them. but
he did observe in the course OF the
chat with a reporter that it had
been said once of a prominent man
that he dreaded praise more than
abuse.
1t might have been said of the
able, outspoken Virginian. Per-
haps it was.
Would Prefer Debate Challenge.
Anybody would have known that
he'd much rather have been going
to the Senate floor to take up a
challenge somebody had hurled at
him. If there were fight in the
offing, he'd have anticipated it with
gusto, gone to it eagerly and plunged
into it gratefully. But this :.
1t had been bad enough that
morning when Democratic con-
ference of Senators had adopted a
resolution congratulating him and
expressing appreciation of his long
services to his State and coun-
try. But the luncheon, he knew.
would be worse.
While the reporter was trying fu-
tilely to get him to discuss his
birthday, Senate Majority Leader
Barkley popped in, extended his
hand and explained that he want
ed to add a personal word to what
the Democratic conferees had said
You know what we all think Of
you" said Senator Barkley.
When he had left, Senator Glass
said something that sounded like
"Oh. gosh"
What was that you said, sena-
tor?" he was asked.
Letter From President.
Il said people have been very
kind" said the Senator. pointing to
the flowers and stacks of kilograms
that cluttered his desk. A special
White House messenger had deliv-
cred to him earlier a private let
ter from the President.
I've been congratulated by al
most every one but Hitler" he
added
And. in an effort to help the Sen
ator forget the dread hour of and
what it would bring, his visitor
questioned him a little about world
and home affairs.
I'm in favor" he said. with char
acteristic emphasis, "of letting Brit
ain have everything that can be
done for her. except an actual dec
laration Of war against Germany"
Our ships. he added. should be
used TO convoy contraband
goods, in accord with international
law.
Il don't believe in this cash and
carry plan" he cracked. It's
desecration of international law-it
converts this Nation into a coun-
try of poltroons Our ships. carry
ing products which are not con-
traband. should go where they
please. If they sink them We should
sink theirs"
Urges Supplies for England.
Get to England what she needs.
he counselled, regardless of how it
is worked out economically. And he
added, sharply:
I'VE owe Britain a great deal more
than is due us from her. The Brit
IS held of the Germans so that we
got our transports safely to France
in IT and '18. There were 1,066, 900
Allied soldiers killed or desperately
wounded between the time we de-
clared war and the time we fired our
first shot on the Western front.
IF Hitler wins. we'll have to fight
the axis powers without Great Brit
ain. 1t would be much better to
keep Britain as an ally"
President Roosevelt's freside chat
of last Sunday was the finest he has
heard him make. said Senator who
has differed often with New Deal
policies.
Asked if he would press for any
legislation at the new session of
Congress, Senator Glass said he had
in prospect some proposals concern
ing banking and currency, but had
not made up his mind
Opposes Devaluation Of Dollar.
And the chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee - past
Secretary of the Treasury and
father" Of the Federal Reserve
System-reminded his caller that he
had fought devaluation of the dol
lar, adding that he had not changed
his mind. He still regarded such
plans as dishonest"
AS for Government spending, this
consistent advocate of economy and
the balanced budget said he favored
spending all the money needed to
give America adequate defense, but
mot dollar that is not necessary"
He had no panacea to offer for
unemployment, but pointed out that
it was one thing to start relieving
this condition via the United States
(See GLASS, Page B-2)