Evening star., 1944-01-25

tTeSe senators IN line Tor the post
IN this order under the seniority
rule: Glass, Tydings, Bankhead,
Reynolds, Bilbo, Clark of Idaho and
O'Daniel. Because of other assign
ments held by the first four, Senator
Bilbo probably would have first
call on the Craftsmanship.
Senator Bilbo became chairman of
the Senate Committee on Pensions
about a year ago. If he decided to
take the Craftsmanship of the Dis
trict Committee he would have to
give up the pensions post.
Only recently Senator Van Nuys
as chairman of the Judiciary Com
mittee, had named Senator McCar-
ron to head a special subcommittee
to consider the Capper-Sumners
resolution for proposed constitu-
tional amendment on national repre-
sentation for the residents of the
District. 1t was not certain today
whether the advancement of Senator
McCarran to the full chairmanship
would lead to any changes in this
subcommittee.
Entered Senate on Same Day.
Senators Van Nuys and McCarran
both entered the Senate on the
same day in 1893, and were both
assigned to the Judiciary Commit
tee. Under the seniority rule
therefore, they both were in line
to head that committee the last
time it was vacant in l94l. The
Democratic Steering Committee de-
cided in favor of Senator Van Nuys
Senator McCarran at that time in
formed Majority Leader Barkley he
would not accept the District chair
manship. Senator Reynolds, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina, served as
District chairman for brief period
but soon became eligible to head
military affairs. Senator McCarran
then agreed to accept the District
Craftsmanship with the understands
ing the committee would be pro-
vlded with counsel to handle the
details of the work.
Mr.. Van Nuys was born at Fall
mouth, Ind, April Is, 1874, the son
OF DR.. David H. Van Nuys. After
graduating from Earlham College in
1898, he enrolled for law course in
the Indianapolis Law School and
received his degree in 1900.
Immediately afterward he began
the practice of law at Shelbyville
Ind, and in 1906 became prosecuting
attorney of Madison County.
His political career began in earn
est in 1918 when he was elected to
the Indiana Senate, of which he
became president pro-tempore in
1915. During 1917-18 he increased
his political strength through serv-
ice as chairman of the State Demo-
cratic Committee. In 1920 he be-
came United States attorney for
the Indiana district and served until
1922.
Senator Van Nuys is survived by
his widow, the former Marie Krug,
and one son. William Van Nuys.
Defeated Watson for Seat.
Senator Van Nuys gained his Sen
ate seat by defeating Jim Watson,
Indiana Republican and Senate vet
eran, by 870.053 votes to 66l.75O
during the Democratic landslide
which swept the Nation in the fall
of 1882.
The Senator's political relations
with President Roosevelt, however
were not always friendly. He bit
terry opposed the Presidents plan
to increase the membership of the
United States Supreme Court in
1887 and also was a vigorous foe of
the third term in 1910.
1T is not unlikely" Senator Van
Nuys said before the Democratic
national convention in the summer
of 1910, that the President may
cudgel another nomination from
the Democratic convention, but If
he does I do not believe that he
will be reelected. I believe that If
the sacred tradition against three
terms is broken it will be the enc
of the republic"
Following the election, however
harmony was restored between the
Senator and the administration and
the Indianan was a vigorous sup
porter of Mr.. Roosevelt in the field
nf fnroiry, y>o1iou