The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-26

RNaNm ant Texas politi- clan, banker, oil man, plaaipsman or cattleman who comes to Washington on @ Wednes- day manages to drop in on his con- gressman and get invited. All guests are introduced and so, for the mid week lunch hour at least, the heart of Texas is deep in Washington The Honorable Wright Patman pre- sides. There are no set speeches, but about the only subject of converse
 ton heard or listened to is Texas and folks back home.
 The talk Is all at fiat "a", silent "g" and brassy 1T" as you'll hear at any Panhandle or brandin' barbe- cueI They even eat ,barbecued steer meat. If they didn't the delegation would hear about 1t from every raracher in the state.
 This Texas delegation in congress is somethin'. One or both of the senators, Tom Connally, the blush- ing bridegroom, and Pappy ODaniel usually stroll over from the other side of the capitol to break biscuits with the 2l representatives. The number is reduced to 90 now by Lyndon Johnson's absence on leave to serve as a commander in the Navy, though his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, who has stayed in Wash ington to run the ofice for him (without pay), sometimes Is invited, for the affair is stag except on spe- cial occasions like honoring the new WAAC Major Hobby.
 The delegation doesn't have to worry about or be embarrassed by Republicans, who just don't get elected in Texas. The Demo- crats down there fight among themselves like wildcats in the primaries, New Dealers lining up against conservatives, and Ina- chimes going all out for some can- didate. Victory in 8 primary Is as good as election in Texas, how- ever, SO when the run-offs are over, it's all just one big happy family again. FHROTHERLY BEEF
 To see the delegation chewing Wednesday beef, it's 8 picture of beautiful brotherly love and affec- ton in the wholesome, hernar1 Texas way. Behind the scenes there may be jealousies. Speaker Raybura and Senator Connally aren't believed to be any too cooperative, Pappy O'Daniel is respected largely for his ability as @ guitar player, Lyndon Johnson was considered too New Dealish for some, Martin Dies is, well-Martin Dies.
 But by and large, this is Texas gang and 1t sticks together to pack a terrific punch in the conduct of the affairs of the lower House. All of its members have lived most of their lives in Texas, from baby Congressman Lindley Beckworth of Gilrner, who, is 28, to wise old Judge Hatton w. Summers of Dallas. Only five were born outside the state - O'Daniel, who originated in Ohio; Rayburn and Robert E. Thomson, who were born in Tennessee, and Ed Gosseet and hard-working young George H. Mahon, who came across the border from Louisiana. IN MOST a. PIES
 In the House of Representatives, this Texas delegation is so assigned to committees that their finger Is in every important pie Of the, 50 standing committees which steer the affairs of the House, you will find Texans on all but eight, and those eight aren't any too important, be- ing largely concerned with readil', writin', and such literary matters committees on education, library, printing, memorials, and 50 on. But how they ever overlooked even those eight is mystery.
 Of the score of Texas congress men, five hold chairmanships of inn portant committees s-Judge Summers of Judiciary, Fritz Lanham of Pub lie Buildings and Grounds, Joseph J. Mansfield Of Rivers and Harbors, Wright Patman of Small Business, and Martin Dies of the Select Com mittee on n-American Activities. And in addition they have Speaker Rayburn, boss of the whole works.
 Other states have larger delega- tions than Texas, but because of its solidity, its lack of opposition, the styategical placement of its members on committees and their willingness to- work together as a unit, no state delegation yields more influence. and none has more color when you consider such per- sonalities as Connally, O'Daniel, Jo- seph Jefferson Mansfield in his wheeled chair, Summers, Dies and Richard M. Kleberg of the fabulous King ranch. who. with his pet rife, will shoot a hole in a half-dollar if you throw 1t up in the air for him.