Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-26
Presidents Invitation
Gives Congressional
Freshmen Prestige
DiscIuim PIon to
Make Bloc Of
luncheon Club
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
New members Of Congress who
took their seats only last month
assumed dominant role today when
it became known that President
Roosevelt has invited them to a get
acquainted session at the White
House.
News of the Presidents unusual
invitation came simultaneously with
the organization today of some 40
freshmen" Democrats who are
banding together around a luncheon
table to make a contribution to the
thinking of the administration.
The group of House Democrats.
while disclaiming any intention of
forming a bloc" to promote any
particular legislation, said they were
determined to obtain some recogni-
ton in formulation of Democratic
House policies.
120 in Freshman Group.
Mr.. Roosevelt's letter, as received
by one new legislator, said
"In days like these it is very diff
cult for me to arrange to see all of
the new Senators and Congress
men. At the last session it took
long time before I had chance to
meet the new members-and some
of them, fear, did not have the
opportunity to meet at all,
Therefore. am asking all of the
new members Of the Senate and
the House to come to the White
House on Wednesday evening, March
10, very informally business SUITS
at $50 pm. so that we can have an
opportunity to see and talk to each
other.
Il hope much that you will be able
to come at that time.
Very sincerely yours,
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSE-
WELT"
II Mr.. Roosevelt's invitations 60
out to all Of the II new members of
the Senate and 100 freshmen Rep
resentatives they will attract the
largest congressional attendance
since the annual White House recep-
tions were suspended at the outbreak
Of war.
Poses Problem for Democrats.
Formation of the House group
posed new problem for the Demo-
cratic leadership, already harassed
by an inability to get its slim working
majority to show up for some i'm
portant roll calls.
Publicly the newcomers made no
threats, but privately some of the
group said there was such thing as
resorting to 'absenteeism' on ad-
ministration roll calls If the leader
ship showed an inclination to ignore
them. With a majority of only 10,
any organized "absenteeism" by
Democrats would give the Repub-
licans voting control Of the House,
as the Democratic leadership found
out recently when 20 Of their votes
failed to answer, and Republicans
wrote legislation barring the use Of
free mail to Government agencies.
tThe lineup in the Senate is 81
Democrats to 38 Republicans
New Members Still Unsettled.
representatives Newsome of Ala
bama and Hairless of Arizona, lead
ers of the movement, issued a state
ment, which they said generally
reflects the feeling" toward the club
and in which they made these dec
larations:
eve have not been here long
enough to acquire either a Wash
ington or congressional view
point; we feel that we still reflect
the realities of the people back
home.
I'VE are conscious of the nervous
strain which comes with the war
with its mounting casualty lists.
I'VE feel the conflict of the diff
ferent ideologies of government.
I'VE are confronted with the fear
Of imitation and high living costs.
we are troubled over the re-
lationship between labor and man
agement.
I'VE are deeply disturbed over the
economic dislocations and the
closing Of many businesses, and the
apparent trend in certain quarters
toward collectivism and monopoly.
I'VE are worried about food pro-
duction and supplies for our armed
forces, our Allies, and ourselves.
Most of us are here in the hope
that we can make some contribu-
ton toward the settlement of these
pressing problems"