Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-11
Freshmen Legislators
Seem Impressed After
White House Party
'How's Henry, President
Asks Mrs. Luce as
Meeting Ends

BY inc Associated Press.
HoV's Henry?
That homely query, attributed to
the President Of the United States
as he babe adieu to the most-talked
about freshman member of Con-
gress, typifed the social at home"
held last night by the Chief Execu-
tive for III newly elected Senators
and members of the House.
1t was the Presidents parting re-
mark, said one member of Congress
who was within earshot, to Repre-
sentative Luce, Republican, of Con-
nectlcut, wife of Henry Luce, editor
of Time Magazine.
Judging from their comments as
they left the White House, all the
freshmen Democrats and Repub-
hcans alike, got quite kick out of
being received by the President and
sampling the beer. cheese. crackers,
cigars and cigarettes set out for
them in the state dining room.
Gathering strictly Social"
1t was strictly the social gather
Ing Presidential Secretary Stephen
Early had said it was intended to be.
and, to quote Representative Rowe,
Republican, Of Ohio, Nobody was
converted, but I'm softened I'D a
bit"
Just how "softened up" some of
the freshmen were is likely to be
demonstrated in practical manner
before the House adjourns today,
for topping the legislative program
Is bill to nullify the Presidents
salary limitation order of last Octo-
Der 3.
The reception left some of the
freshmen sufficiently speeches. that
they declined to comment. but the
general bipartisan reaction was
something like this:
The President appears to be in
tlne health. Is sure OF himself, has
no doubt about the outcome of the
war but doesn't think it will end
too soon-"and he doesn't have
horns"
African Trip Described.
The legislators went to the White
House at the Presidents invitation
TO get acquainted. Some Demo-
cratic leaders hoped the affair would
promote more cordial relations with
Congress, some of whose new mem
bers have shown an inclination to
be independent.
The President sat down and
| chatted with his company" in
| groups Of about so at a time, speak
ing mostly of his recent trip. to
Africa and of the progress of the
war. From time to time members
very obligingly whipped out matches
to light the executives ever-present
cigarette
1ntroductions were handled by
Speaker Sam Rayburn. Majority
Leader Mccormack and Minority
Leader Martin for the House and
Vice President Wallace introduced
the II freshmen Senators.
1t was a grand party and every
body enjoyed it hugely" commented
Speaker Rayburn as he took leave
after the hour and a half get
together.
Fourth Term Not Mentioned.
1T was a very charming evening. +"
observed Mrs, Luce. He did all the
talking. l. said Good evening he
said Good evening I sat for little
while. Everybody else sat for a lit
/ tie while"
She was especially impressed. Mrs.
Luce added, by a fine portrait of
Abraham Lincoln.
Representative Will Rogers, ir,,
California Democrat and son of the
late humorist, thought it was "a
nice social gathering" He said the
President was the master" and
simply tops"
Representative Stanley, Republic
can, of New York thought the Presi-
cent was "aWfully nice" But when
she discovered she was talking to re-
porters, she hastily added: mo,
don't say that; I'm not Glare Luce,
I'm not the one you're looking for
Vice President Wallace described
it as Just nice party-everything
sweetness" adding that nobody
threw any bricks"
Apparently the visitors talked
about any subject that came to their
minds, but, noted Representative
Ellsworth, Republican. of Oregon,
No one asked him about the fourth
term. I guess they just didn't think
of it."