Evening star., 1941-06-23

! Great Britain short Of war. That
group steered TO passage the famous
bill, HR. 1776. for the lending and
| leasing of materials OF war 10 the
English.
1000 Attended Reception.
As evidence of the MiSsisSippian's
popularity. upwards of 1000 per-
sons, including cabinet members,
Vice President Henry A. Wallace,
Senators and scores of folks from
back home" swarmed into the
Carlton Hotel this year to attend
a reception celebrating his 80 years
In Congress.
Those familiar with the Wash
ington scene said it was the largest
reception of its KIND ever held
here.
The Mississippian entered the
Senate in 1919. just after the close
of the World War and in the final
years of the Wilson administration.
He quickly made name for him.
self in debate-slWays strong par
tisan. When the country in 1920
turned the Democratic party out Of
Office and the late President Hard
ing next year came to the White
House, it was Senator Harrison who
time and again rose TO ridlcule, to
attack and occasionally to rout the
Republicans.
Handled Important Legislation.
He was always a keen student OF
public affairs. He came into his
own when the Democrats took over
control of the Federal Government
with the election of President
Roosevelt in 1882 AS chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, he
handled much of the important leg
islation dealing with tariffs and
taxes for the administration, and
on occasion he defied the President
and defeated or forced compro-
mise on several of the White House
tax proposals.
Senator Harrison was elected
President pro tempore of the Sem
ate when that body convened last
January, He retained the chair
manship of the Finance Committee
and had he lived his would have
been the duty to lead in the formu-
lation of revenue legislation which
is to care for the present national
defense program. the ordinary ex-
penses of the Government and the
national debt
At the time of the death of the
late Senator Robinson of Arkansas
In 1937-during the Senate fight
over the Presidents bill to increase
the membership of the Supreme
Court-Senator Harrison was in
line for promotion to the Democratic
leadership of the Senate, an Office
held by Senator Robinson. His rec
ord, however, had not been entirely
pleasing to the New Dealers in the
administration.
Lost by One Vote.
The President took up the cudgels
for Senator Barkley of Kentucky
White House pressure was brought
to bear and when the showdown
came in the Democratic caucus of
the Senate Senator Barley was
the MissiSsippian. Had it not been
for this administration fight against
Senator Harrison, who was re-
garded by some as too conservative
for the leadership post, he would in
all likelihood have been choice of
! i1 fNr
1t was on this occasion, too, that
Senator Bilbo, who for years had
been bitter personal enemy of
Senator Harrison, had the oppor-
tunity to deal him blow. Bubo
voted against Harrison for the lead
ership and that one vote was suffi-
cient to defeat him.
In Mississippi politics Senator
Harrison's long feud with Senator
Bilbo always was a topic of con-
versation.
They had fallen out over Sena-
tor Harrison's Endorsement OF Judge
Edwin r. Holmes of Yazoo City for
membership of the United States
Court Of Appeals.
| Judge hOImeS was promoted over
Senator Bilbo's opposition, the jun
ior Senator having resented a con-
tempt of court Jail sentence Judge
Holmes once imposed on him.
Feud Ended in Elevator.
For about four years the two
Mississippi Senators did not speak.
Then one day in 1910 they hap
pened to enter a Senate elevator
! at the same time
Senator Harrison. realizing, he
said, that their feud was not to the
best interest of the State remarked:
How are you, Senator?"
Senator Bilbo said he was fine
and wanted to know about Mr..
Harrison's health.
| From that time on the two seemed
to be getting along better every
day.
Senator Harrison, a shrewd poll
tician and never inclined to bear
malice, lined up with President
Roosevelt when the latter's name
was prominently brought forward