Evening star., 1954-11-05
Coup|eof Texans at Home WiththeReins
BY Robert K. WoIsh

By Robert <. Walsh
THE eyes of the Nation -including
i Texas are on the team OF Texans.
Representative Sam Rayburn and
Senator Lyndon B. Johnson. who will
be Speaker Of the House and majority
leader of the Senate in the 84th
Congress.
.Mr. SAM" 72, has served in Congress
longer than any present member. He
has already sat on the Speakers ros-
trum longer than any one else in his
tory. Mr.. johnson. 46. came to the
House in 1897, went to the Senate IN
1949, and has been lifelong protege
of his elder colleague. The Squire Of
Bonham, Texas" as Mr.. Rayburn Is also
known, and Senator Johnson's father
were fellow members of the Texas Leg
islature before Mr.. Rayburn first was
elected to Congress In March, 1913.
There seemingly are few similarities
between the two men destined to be
probably the most powerful shapers Of
legislative policies and programs during
the next two years. Senator Johnson
is six feet three. weighs some 200
pounds, has an adequate supply Of black
hair, and likes the rough and tumble
of campaigning in new-fangled devices
such as helicopters. He Is married and
has two daughters.
Speaker Rayburn-moSt people at
the Capitol continued to address him
with that title even after he relin-
quished the job temporarily" in Janu-
ary, 1858, to his close personal friend,
Representative Joseph w. Martin of
Massachusetts, rotund and bald. He
is comparatively reserved IN manner,
soft-spoken but sometimes blunt In
speech. Yet he is unfailingly courteous
even when not especially communica-
tive on what he thinks or what he
plans to do He is bachelor but no
recluse in Washington social gatherings.
The two Democratic legislative lead
ers have demonstrated they will work
together. Senator johnson can "com-
plement" Speaker Rayburn, without
acting as foil or stooge. The Speaker,
besides presiding over the House, han
ding Democratic majority, and stand
ing next to the Vice President in line
of presidential succession. is sure to
be the strongest man in the entire
Congress. He also will be one of the
most influential in the United States,
if only because of his vast experience
and middle-of -the-road philosophy
Speaker Rayburn deeply loves the
House of Representatives. He thor
oughly knows the House, it's constitu-
tional structure, its special and general
powers and prerogatives, and its obliga-
tionS of membership. This affection,
respect and knowledge Have made him
strict but fair minded disciplinarian.
It likewise has made him an under
standing and immensely helpful guide
and counsel to many a House member
on both sides of the aisle.
Equally great is MIR. Rayburn's love
for the Democratic Party. Even the
Republican opposition comedies that
this love is SO profound that it usually
rises far above mere partisanship.
X X
1t was completely in character, there
fore, when he felt something like per-
Sonal wound as well as white-hot anger
at hearing any one call the Democratic
Party the party of treason" He re-
portedly told associates that he long
ago grew accustomed to hearing cam
paign charges of crime and corruption
OF the throw w-the-rascalS.out variety.
But, IN his opinion, any charge
remotely implying disloyalty to the
United States was too much to swallow
Senator johnson was only % when he
first arrived in Washington as a secre-
tary to Texas member of the House.
He had gone to college and also OBJ
tanned law degree, as did Speaker
Rayburn more than 80 years previously.
Both, however, plunged so promptly and
permanently into politics and public
Office that they found little time to
practice law.
AS a protege of Speaker Rayburn,
Senator johnson received effective help
from him in getting an appointment as
Texas director for the National Youth
Administration in the 1930s, and later
as candidate for House and Senate.
In the Senate as chairman of the
Armed Services Preparedness Subcom-
mlttee created in 1850, Senator johnson
began to build up national reputation.
He likewise attracted the attention of
party leaders who kept him in mind
us
It frequently was toss-up to de-
termine whether Republican Leader
Knowland or Democratic Leader John
son had the heavier worries. Senator
Knowland once sought sympathy in his
plight as majority leader who lacked
majority on many major issues,
Senator johnson reminded him that
it was even tougher to be q minority
leader with a majority to handle.
While hardly having the firm grasp,
finesse and actual power of Mr.. Ray
burn-and Mr.. Rayburn had it in
frequently overwhelming fashion even
when House minority leader-Senator
johnson has shown himself to be
skillful at compromise. He is quick and
alert in Senate debate. although rela-
lively restrained. AS was said Of him
when he headed the Armed Services
watchdog subcommittee, he blended
equanimity, quietness, scope and one
two punch" to produce results and
command public as well as party
respect.
In the field of faithfulness to the
Democratic Party, the Rayburn "regu-
larity' had a counterpart in Senator
Johnson's adherence to the national
organization and convention candi-
dates. They campaigned vigorously for
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