Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-08-23


President could say. He already
had endorsed Wheeler with that re-
markable loyalty that he has for
his friendS-a virtue which easily
may 60 down in history as one of
his faults.
Wheeler gave the freshman sena-
tor, Harry Truman, his first oppor-
tunity to show his mettle by letting
him bat for him as chairman of the
important Interstate Commerce
committee. Truman made good,
and a warm friendship developed.
But even presidential aid couldn't
save Wheeler.
The other day l was looking over
the autographed photographs with
which Harold McGrath, superin-
tendent of the senate radio gallery,
had decorated the walls. It was
just about the time that things be-
gan to look bad for the senator. We
commented on the senators we had
known who had ended long careers
in defeat.
OF course, Sen. George Norris
was the classic example. Five
terms. Then he was replaced by an
anti-Roosevelt man, Sen. Kenneth
Wherry.
Senator Norris closest contender
for the longevity record in recent
years was Ellison C"Cotton Ed")
Smith of South Carolina, violently
anti-New Deal. He was defeated
by a pro-Roosevelt man the year
after Norris lost out.
Up on the radio gallery wall is
picture of Henry Ashurst, the SEN
ator whose tongue fairly dripped
epigrams. He came to the senate
when New Mexico was admitted to
the Union. That was 1912. He left
in 1910, serving five terms, plus five
years.
The year 1910 was a bad one for
veterans-besides Ashurst, William
King Of Utah left us, having served
since 1917, and Lynn Frazer of
North Dakota, who came to Wash
ington in 1923.
Senator Wheeler served only four
terms, but his vivid personality
made it seem longer. He made many
enemies. Many people disapprove
of his isolationism and some of his
other views most thoroughly. But
there are many, even among his
detractors, who respect him for his
integrity, for his ability as a legis-
lator, something which perhaps is
understood in Washington better
than elsewhere, and also because
they consider his pacifsm sincere.
I remember a conversation I had
with Jerry O'Connell, former rep
resentative who tried to take Wheel
er's seat in campaign somewhat
similar to the one which brought
victory to Erickson. Jerry was pref
ty sore. He had copy of the Ana
conda Standard in his hand as well
as a clipping. The clipping was a
report of one Of Senator Wheeler's
campaign speeches, made early in
phraseology, but the general idea
Expressed by Wheeler) was that if
the Anaconda Standard, which was
supposed to represent the senti-
ments Of the big copper interests,
ever praised Wheeler, it would be
a sign that he was no longer worthy
of the support of the people of Mon
tana.
O'Connen read that to me. Then
he picked up his copy of the Stand
ard, and read from it some very
kind words for Senator Wheeler.
However, I think it would be
grossly unfair to say that Senator
Wheeler ever "sold out" even fig
uratively, to any interests As
far as I know, he is as sincere to-
day as he was when he made his first
fight on whatever issue had a side
unpopular enough to attract him.
IN February of 1885 had a long
interview with Senator Wheeler. I
have the following clipping before
me. It is illustrated with a huge
photograph (more picture than
text) showing Wheeler, his fist
clenched about to drive it into his
palma favorite gesture. I remem-