The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-29
by Paul 4. Porter

for men of every class every temperament came. from the arts of the politician, but from the in- stant sympathy established between him ana every fellow -countryman of his"
 Some future historian cannot but apply wilson's description of Clay to Senator Barkley The charac- terzaton is too strikngly similar to go unnotlced.
 wilson's influence on Senator Barkley obviously has been profound. Although have no way of know ing suspect that when the majority leader is har- assed and troubled he turns to Wosns writings 1os comfort and solace. Indeed Senator BarkeyS pubic uterances usually favored with the dignity and sweep of Wlsonian essay And have seen no better statement of what I know to be Senator Barkeys political philosophy than this excerpt of W1lsons great address at the dedication of Congress Hall In Philadelphia in 1913:
 "Politics ladies and gentlemen is made up in just about equal parts of compensation and sympathy. No man ought to go into politics who does not compre- hend it so completely that it daunts him. that he doubts whether his own spirit is stout enough ana
 his own mind able enough to attempt it's great under takings, but unless he comprehend it he ought not to enter it. After he has comprehended 1t, there should come into his mind those profound impulses of sympathy which connect him With the rest or mankind, for politics is business of interpretation, and men are fit for it who do not see and seek more than their own advantage and interest,"
 I have watched Senator Barkleys career with deep interest since a young newspaper reporter I covered his first campaign for the Senate 20 years ago. I have known of his genous tireless cam paigner. I have listened many times as he would draw upon his unlimited repertory of stories which have made him the Senates most famous raconteur. have known him friendly and tolerant man of great ability But personal experience with Senator Barkey in the legislative crisis price control this Summer afforded my first real opportunity to ob- tain first-hand knowledge of his great capacity a legislator, lawyer and leader
 I called to the White House when Senator Barkey and his associates of the Democratic leader ship urged President Truman to approve the first price control bill. In earnest tones Senator Barkley insisted that the President sign the bill The Presi dent obviously reluctant not to follow the advice of his party leaders Upon analysis of the first bills provisions however the President concluded he could approve it and with great courage he exercised his Constitutional right of veto Thus four and one half months of bitter legislative battle resulted in 8 staemate and the responsibility turned back to the Congress.
 Senator Barkley again shouiered the burden. A lesser would have baked. With conSummate patience and skill, he guided new measure through committee through the Senate and out of conference. During sWeltering Washington weather he worked with the Senate committee day and night and would take to his Washington home a full briefcase and work
 At one midnight session of the Senate Senator Barkley to explain highly complex pricing standard in the bill His eXtemporaneous exposition read with such snoothneSs and precision in the Con- greSsional Record that OPA lawyers expressed nlent to how Senator Barkley had found the time to master intricate subject in such technical de- tail
 This episode is but of many in the experience of the majority leader of the Senate. But 1t illus ing capacity for comprehension has been duplicated in Congressional decisions the United Nations Or ganlzation the British loan, atomic energy, veterans housing and host of other critical problems And the results add up the fact that Senator Barkley is one of the most effective liberals of time.