Evening star., 1951-11-30
Delegation 10 Escort
Wherry's Body 10
Nebraska for Funeral

Nebraska for Funeral
The body of Senator Kenneth
S. Wherry lay in state here today
before beginning a journey back
home for burial in his native
Nebraska.
The 59-year-old Republican
who rose rapidly in the upper
chamber to the minority flool
leadership. died yesterday o1
pneumonia, a month after under.
going an operation for cancer.
Friends were afforded a view
OF the body between IL am. and
3 pm. today at Gawler'S funera
home. 1855 Pennsylvania avenue
NV.
Tonight congressional dele.
cation will escort it to Pawnee
City, Nebr., where it again will lie
in state Sunday afternoon. Serv-
ices will be held at 2 pm. Monday
In the Presbyterian church there
Colleagues Praise Him.
Colleagues praised Senator
Wherry for his fight in the con-
servative cause, and for his per-
sonal attributes. Vice President
Barkley cabled from Tokyo:
while We differed on many
political problems, I entertained
for him the warmest personal
friendship and the highest respect
for his ability and integrity"
Senator Capehart. Republican,
OF Indiana. said: The Nation has
lost a great statesman and an
honest, conscientious, able legis-
lator, and have lost close per-
sonal friend"
Guy Gabrielson, chairman of
the Republican National Commit
tee. called the Senator "a valiant
fighter for the American way Of
life" and said his wise counsel
and vigor will be irreplaceable In
the critical days ahead"
Successor in Doubt.
The question of whom will sue
ceed the junior Nebraska Senator
remained locked in Gov. Val Pc
terson. who said he would not
consider the appointment until
final respects have been paid "a
close personal and political
friend"
Gov. Peterson is himself a can
didate for the Republican nomi-
nation to the seat held by Senator
Butler, and is not considered like
ly to appoint himself to the va
cancy.
Senator Wherry distinguished
himself as a vociferous opponent
of New Deal and Fair Deal poll
cies expounded by two Democrat
ic administrations.
First as Republican whip and
hter as floor leader. he debated
and voted against most of the
administration foreign policy bills,
and was on the opposite side of
the fence on such matters as
price control.
Isolationist Die-Hard.
His insistence on specific con-
gressional approval on the num-
Der of troops for Europe precip-
itated the so-called great de-
bate" In brief, he carried the
ball for the Midwest isolationist
die
Although he believed his Job as
floor leader primarily called for
carrying out, not making. policy,
he was a prime mover in the
adoption of the Senate rule which
limits filibuster only on a vote of
81 of the SO members. a rule
which has effectively prevented
civil rights legislation advocates
from heading off Southern fill
busters on their measures.
A colorful fighter of the old
school, Senator Wherry often had
the Senate boiling. Once he
needed the usually calm Mr.I
Barkley into shouting: I'm not
mad! I'm not mad! I'm not
mad!"
Often Surprising.
He became so engrossed in his
intense floor arguments that often
surprising words tumbled out, as
amusing to the Senator as to his
colleagues.
Once he called Indo-China "in-
digo China" and referred to the
Joint Chiefs of Staff as the chief
joints Of staff" On another occa-
sion he arose to declare sit is my
unanimous opinion" and again he
said "the issue is clear and in
distinct to me-"
Senator Wherry was dead set
against the Franklin D. Roosevelt
1NS" OEdl anu bllC du OSdl.
Sharp of tongue and loud of voice,
he was a ready and forceful
phrase maker Commenting on a
campaign speech by President
Truman, he said:
He promised everybody every
thing good and at no cost what
ever to anybody - all for nothing
all pie in the sky"
President Truman iabeled him
an "obstructionist.
Senator Wherry accused "the
Truman Democrats" of threaten
ing "our historic way of life
through socialism, spendthrift
government and unbear able
taxes" and urged the election of
a Republican Congress "to stop
the biggest giveaway show on
earth"