Evening star., 1943-08-08
e. Bascom S|emp,
Coolidge Secretary,
Dies Of Heart Attack


retary to President Coolidge, for
mer Representative from Vir-
ginia and time chairman of
the Virginia Republican Com
mittee, died yesterday of a car
diac ailment at st. Mary's Hos
pital in Knoxville, Tenn.
Mr.. slemp was celebrated in
Washington and national political
annals as one OF the few Republi-
cans from Virginia who ever
achieved. political prominence and
authority. He came from Big Stone
Gap in the hills OF the Southwest
corner OF the State and represented
the Ninth Virginia District in Con-
gress during eight sessions - from
1907 to 1928.
Mr.. Slemp was on his way from
Tampa. Fla, to his Big Stone Gap.
home when he entered the Knox
willie hospital 10 days ago. He had
been seriously i'll in Florida since
/ last winter.
Secretary of State Hull last night
| deplored the death of Mr.. Slemp
in a statement recalling his "splen-
did record in both the legislative
and executive branches of the Gov
ernment."
The text Of Mr. Hulls statement.
Il am deeply grieved to learn of
the passing of c. Bascom Slemp,
who was my friend for many years.
His death Is very much to be de-
plored. He had to his credit
splendid record in both the legis-
| lative and executive branches of the
Government. Through all the years
after his retirement from public
| service he made a highly meritori-
Gus contribution as civic leader"
Father Was Representative.
Mr.. Slemp was born In Turkey
Cove, Lee County, Va, September
4, 1870. His father, Campbell
Slemp, was Republican political
figure, and through his fathers in
fiuence, Bascom Slemp became
chairman of the State Republican
Committee in 1905.
The elder Slemp was the ninth
districts Representative in Con-
gress, and after he died, the son
was elected on December II, 1907,
to fill the unexpired term. He re-
mained in Congress until the end
of the Sixty-seventh Congress in
1928, when he retired voluntarily.
The Democrats have controlled the
ninth district ever since.
President Coolidge started a con-
troversy in August. 1923, by appoint
ing Mr.. Slemp as his secretary.
Democrats protested that 1T was the
new Presidents way of announcing
he would run in 1924 and that Mr..
Slemp's Job was to line up the
Southern Republicans for him.
Recalled House Charges.
The Democratic National Com
mittee issued statement remind
ing the country that Mr.. Slemp had
been charged in the House on De-
cember 15 1922, with traficking for
money in Federal patronage in the
| ninth district. 1t was subsequently
disclosed that the traf1icking ex-
listed, but that Mr.. Slemp was not
connected with it.
/ Mr.. Slemp remained with Presi-
dent Coolidge until 1925, after which
he practiced law in Washington and
retained his interest in business af-
fairs In Big Stone Gap. The SEN
ate Committee, investigating ocean
and air mail contracts in 1888, re
ceived testimony that for one legal
service in 1925, Mr.. Slemp charged
$4,000. The service was connected
with the Export Steamship Co.'S
purchase Of ls ships from the Ship
ping Board for $l,17l,43l.
Mr.. Slemp was said by Senator
Tydings Democrat, of Maryland to
be the master mind" behind the
movement for an oil tariff in 1882
when Congress. debating a tax bill,
was being urged by a number OF
oil men, to approve a tariff for Pc
troleum.
Retired as Chairman.
Mr.. Slemp put formal politics
behind him for good in 1882, as he
retired after ~ years on the Job
as Republican committee chairman
for Virginia. In the Autumn of
that year he sent a ton OF coal by
airplane TO Washington from ScrAn-
ton, Pa, after losing an election bet