Evening star., 1951-03-09
'BarkIey Will Head
Delegation at Rites
For Senator Chapman

Tor Sendtor Chapman
Funeral services for Senator
Virgil Chapman. IS, Democrat,
of Kentucky, who was fatally in
jured yesterday when his auto
mobile crashed head-on into a
big tractor trailer. truck, viii be
held at 2 pm. tomorrow at Cav
ler's funeral home. 1855 Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV.
A Congressional delegation led
by Vice President Barkley will
attend the services for the veteran
legislator who served % years in
the House before he was elected
to the Senate in 1948.
Deputy Coroney Christopher j.
Murphy said a certificate Of acci-
dental death probably will be is
sued in the fatal crash at Connec-
ticut avenue and Van Ness street
NV. at $3.50 am. yesterday.
"All the evidence indicates it
was an accident" Mr.. Murphy told
a reporter. II don't think an in
quest will be necessary"
The Senator died yesterday at
Bethesda Naval Hospital, seven
hours after the collision between
his car and a big trailer truck.
Had Worked Late at Night.
Police reported that witnesses
told them the Senator's car
swerved to the left-hand side of
the avenue hitting the truck.
Senator Chapman's aides said
they did not know where he had
been before the accident but added
he had been working late at night
recently preparing a speech on the
bill to draft 18-year- -olds. He was
to have delivered it yesterday.
One aide said the Senator often
went to an all-night restaurant
on Connecticut avenue before 60
ing to his quarters at the Army
and Navy Club at Seventeenth
and Eye streets NV. q
An autopsy performed at the
Naval Hospital yesterday by DR..
w. w. Ayers of the hospital staff
disclosed that Senator Chapman
died of cardiac respiratory fail
ure caused by a number of broken
ribs, crushed chest and internal
bleeding. DR.. Frank j. Broschart,
Montgomery County medical ex-
aminer, issued a certificate of ac-
cidental death.
Was Alone in Auto.
Senator Chapman was alone in
his car when it swerved from the
southbound lane and ran into the
slow-moving northbound truck
owned by Safeway Stores and
driven. by Walter D. Moore, 46,
colored, of 1919 South Carolina
avenue Sc.
Senator Chapman's death leaves
the Democrats with only a 48-47
margin in the Senate. Since Gov.
.Weatherby of Kentucky is a
Democrat, presumably another
Democrat will be appointed to
succeed Senator Chapman.
Speculation arose on Capitol
Hill that Gov. Weatherby may ap-
point former Senator A. B.
(Happy) Chandler of Kentucky
to fill the vacancy in the event
Mr.. Chambers contract as base
ball commissioner is not renewed.
Rites in Kentucky Sunday.
Following the services at Gaw-
ler's tomorrow, Senator Chapmans
body will be escorted to his home
in Paris, KY, by delegation of
IL Senators. Funeral services will
be held at Paris at pm. Sunday.
Both the Senate and the House
recessed yesterday as a mark Of
respect to Senator Chapman after
members of both Houses eulogized
his public service.
A resolution expressing "pro-
found sorrow and deep regret"
over his death was adopted by
both the House and the Senate.
President Truman wired his
condolences to Senator Chap
mans widow at her home in Paris.
Unselfishness Praised.
Mr.. Barkley praised Senator
Chapman's unselfishneSs in work.
ing for many causes in behalf Of
his fellow citizens, particularly
farmers of his State. Many other
colleagues of Senator Chapman,
both in the Senate and the House,
paid him tribute.
Senator Bennett, Republican, Of
Utah said that as a newcomer to
the Senate he was inspired by the
qualities of Senator Chapman.
Senator Robertson, Democrat, Of
Virginia cited Senator Chapman's
virtues as Southerner."
Senator Connally, Democrat, Of
Texas praised Senator Chapman
for "his outstanding trait of po-
litical courage" He said Senator
Chapman, although unassuming.
was one of the Senate's most skill
full members.
Cenator Clements, Democrat, Of
Kentucky said Kentucky has lost
a great statesman and a man de-
voted to his duties and RESPONSE
bilities."
House Speaker Sam Rayburn
told the House Senator Chapman
was lone of the closest and finest
friends I have ever had"
In Torquay, England. school
bows collected pennies to buy Gig.