Evening star., 1954-07-11

IF SOME OF the lawmakers recently elected
l. to Congress are any indication, the coming
fall elections will be the cause of more youthful
geod-lopking Congressman in the Capital No
drawbacks, youth and charm appear to be assets
instead.
Time was when the public pictured the typ
ical Senator with flowing locks q portly appear
ance and mature experience. A handsome profile
and inexperience were liabilities. Today, he may
look like Senator John Kennedy, Barry Gold
water or Henry M. Jackson. Also he may have
little experience in practical politics" before
being elected
In the young days of the Republic, our law
makers achieved fame at an early age, but at
the beginning Of the Goth century, when we
were growing as Nation, our legislators were
more mature. There seem to be signs of a swing
back to youth again.
This trend has been attributed mainly to the
emergence of the woman's vote as vital factor
in both State and national elections, although
Stanch feminiStS might be quick to deny that
charm and looks were more important than
''the issues" Whatever their reasons, women
were credited with playing very large part in
the election of Senator Kennedy; for instance
and the womens vote was termed largely re-
sponsible for sending handsome young Frank
lin D. Roosevelt to Congress in 1949.
7>HE 1850 CENSUS showed million more
l. women OF voting age than men in the
United States, enough to swing any election
Women of voting age outnumber men in 80
States. Today, women'S votes can mean the diff
ference between victory and defeat. While no
definite figures exist as to the number of women
who voted in the last presidential election.
many experts have given the womens vote
large part of the credit for election of President
Eisenhower
But the fact remains that whether they are
elected by men or women, some very attractive
young people are now representing their States
in Congress.
The parade Of youth and charm in the Ma
tions Capital today is lead by Vice President
Richard M. Nixon. Al. of California, and his
lovely red-haired wife, Pat.
4 Louisiana's young Russell B. Long, who will
be 36 in November, is the youngest Senator on
the Hill, and has been ever since he was elected
in 1948. He was elected on November and was
80 on November 2. In spite of the fact that he is
the youngest. he has seniority over half of the
Senators now serving.
Senator Thomas H. Kuchel, 43, Of Cali
fornia replaced the Vice President as the junior
Senator from California. The Senator and his
pretty blond wife are rated high among the
handsomest couples in senatorial circles.
DEFORE HE MARRIED beautiful Jacoueline
IL Bouvier. Massachusetts, Senator Kennedy
81. was one of the more popular bachelors in
Washington. Voted "handsomest legislator in
Washington" by group of newspaper men and
women IN 1852, he received more votes than
F. D. r., jr.. who came in second.
Handsome Barry Goldwater. Is, Of Arizona,
and his lovely wife, are also members Of the
glamour group" Senator Goldwater is a mem
Der OF the famed mercantile family of Phoenix,
and his wife is very fashion conscious, having
been dress designer at one time.
Among the best-looking couples in the Cap
ital are Florida's Senator George Smathers, 10,
and pretty. blond Mrs Smathers. reporter
(male, in this case) once wrote of him: Sen
ator George SmatherS is man who has made
personal charm pay of in big way. Any one
who has seen the friendly. easy-talking, hand
some legislator in action knows that his attrac-
ton to voters was as much physical as mental" !"
One of the most pursued bachelors in
Washington today is the State Of Washingtons
Henry M. jackson. who recently celebrated his
42d birthday. Scoop" Jackson. whose drawl
has often been compared to that Of Actor
Jimmy Stewart. Is young. handsome and un-
attached-sure-fire success ingredients In this
city. Washingtons senior Senator, Warren Mag