Evening star., 1941-08-04
Quipping 0'Danie|
Arrives on Day Coach
To Take Senate Seat
Says He'll Investigate
Before Accepting Place
On D. 6. Committee
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.
Another colorful political figure
stepped from State to nationa
Office today as w. Lee ODaniel
promoted Governor of Texas, ar.
rived here and was sworn in at moor
as Senator.
The chunky, smiling, fast-quip-
ping Senator-elect came on day
coach. But he and Mrs. O'Danlel
were not trying to preserve the
honey atmosphere of the Texan
campaign, when the genial Gov
ernor was accompanied by a hill
billy band and gained the cognomer
of Pass the Biscuits, Pappy." II
happened to be the fastest train
out of New Orleans-a Southern
Railway streamliner called the
Southerner, and it carried no Pull
mans.
AS soon as the Senate convened
Senator Connally, Democrat, Of
Texas escorted him to the chair
where Senator McKellar, Democrat
of Tennessee, presiding, admins
tered the oath. The new Senator
then signed his name in the Senate
register and Edwin Halsey, secre-
tary of the Senate, presented him
with the plan he had used.
Given Committee Posts.
Immediately after Senator
O'Daniel took the oath, the Senate
confirmed his selection by the Sen
ate Steering Committee to be 6
member of the Commerce, Claims
District of Columbia and Irrigation
and Reclamation Committees.
Senator Connally then introduced
Senator O'Daniel to Senator Mo
Kellar. A moment later Senator
ODaniel stepped down from the
rostrum and was congratulated first
from the floor by Senator LANCER
Republican, of North Dakota.
Several Texas Representatives
stood in the Senate to watch the
Induction, then came around to one
side of the chamber and Senator
ODaniel advanced to meet them
Those greeting him included Rep
resentatives Lanham, Russell, Kle-
berg, Thomas, Worley, Beckworth
Gossett, Luther johnson and Sum-
ners.
The new Senator said Texas laws
automatically terminated his term
as Governor of the Lone Star State
AS the new Senator and his BEAM
Ing wife stepped off the train at
Union Station he was asked how
he enjoyed the 24-hour ride with
out benefit of berth.
"It beats riding the rods" he said
adding that it wasn't half bad, since
you could lean back in the luxurious
seats and nap.
Enthusiastic Welcome.
Two young persons dashed up to
the steps of the coach and threw
their arms around Gov. and Mrs.
ODaniel. They were Molly. the
very pretty ODaniel daughter, and
Mike, one Of the two sons. Molly
Is a bride-Mrs. j. D. Wrather--and
her husband was lowering in the
background. The other son, Pat, is
tn the Army, stationed at Mineral
Wells, Tex. Molly wiped the lip
stick off "Pappy's" face, while the
cameramen loosed barrage and
a welcoming committee Of admiring
Texans cheered.
What about the foreign situa-
ton, Senator?" asked reporter.
Haven't they settled that yet?"
he replied. "Well. I'll have to look
into it,"
The new junior Senator from
Texas was reminded that he was
being chosen for the District Com
inittee.
A Difference in Phrasing.
"I understand it's being offered
to me-" he parried.
will you accept it?"
"I1l have to look into It," he re-
Hected. Maybe"
DO you favor suffrage for Wash
lngton?" another reported de-
Ynanded.
IT believe in letting everybody
VOTE" he said. "And without poll
tax"
1t was remarked that the Senate
was about to vote on extending mil
stary service for selectees, National
Guardsmen and reservists. How did
the Texan feel about that? He
blocked that question, too.
I'll have to see what It's all
about" he said.
How did Texas feel about the WARP
Well, he said, about like everybody
else, he supposed-Sherman was
right.
Didn't Bring His Music.
The retiring Governor was asked
whether he'd have any hill-billy
music in the Capital.
81 don't know" he said, 'have you
got any? I didn't bring any"
Mrs. O'Daniel insisted that her
husband couldn't play single in
strument or sing either.
He sings about like I do" she
laughed.
Asked whether he had any legis-
lative plans, the new Senator re-
vealed that he had one bill he hoped
to toss into the hopper right away.
This would make strike violence a
felony. 1t is intended, he explained
to protect Americans who want to
work"
Outside the station, in the plaza,
the photographers had Mr.. and Mrs.
O'Daniel pose for one more picture
with the new Senator pointing out
the Capitol.
Looks like an imitation of the
State building at Austin," he COM
mented.
The new Senator was named in a
close special election in which he
nosed out Representative johnson.
The election was to choose a sue
ceSsor to the late Senator Sheppard
Senator Andrew Jackson Houston.
appointed by Gov. ODaniel for the
interim, died here in Office.
A Natural Aid in Treating