Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-27
Byrd Is Commended
For His Consistency
Vireiniun Also Is Praised
For Personal Couruae
By Fronk R. Kent

BY fronk K. kent
The more the record of Senator
Harry F. Byrd Of Virginia is studied
the frmer becomes. the conviction that
in consistency and courage no one In
public life Is more outstanding and
effective than he-exceedingly few his
equal. He is real national asset. a
credit alike to his State and his
country.
This may seem overpraise. Actually,
it is not. It has been true for many
years. but what makes it appropriate
to, restate it now is the manner in
which he has twice demonstrated these
qualities in a single week. For ex-
ample, few will dispute that had it
not been for Senator Byrd. President
Eisenhower would have been defeated
in his Senate fight to prevent the
Democrats from enacting their $40
handout tax bill. This would have
manned the administrations fiscal
program, greatly accelerated imitation
and wrought considerable havoc with
the national economy. OF course. four
other Democrats. including Senator
Robertson Of Virginia, George Of
Georgia. Holland of Florida and Ellen
der of louisiana voted against their
party's scheme. recognized as purely
political. But few will dispute that 1t
was Senator Byrd who struck the hard
est blows and was most responsible for
the Eisenhower Senate victory on
March 16.
OF course. this greatly pleased the
President and the Republicans gen.
orally But if they reasoned it meant
that Senator Byrd had become thick
and-thin administration supporter,
that he was party bolter like the
garrulous Senator Wayne Morse Of
Oregon, then they were greatly mis-
taken. This was demonstrated when
two days after he had voted on the
tax issue, Senator Byrd delivered
blistering indictment of the admins
tration's vast road program.
At the end of the Senator's speech
1t was generally conceded he had
crippled the administrators plan.
His opposition was not because Of
hostility to the building of new and
better roads to keep pace with chang
ing times. Rather, it is based on two
things concerning which the Senator
has very strong convictions, indeed.
One Is that the program would largely
take away from the States control Of
the roads within their own boundaries.
The other is that its method of financ-
ing would involve a great waste Of
money and an inevitable increase in
the national debt.
To these two things Senator Byrd
Is unshakeably opposed. This was why
he so strongly supported the President
in his fight to prevent the Democrats
from emasculating his tax proposals.
For the same reasons he is opposing
the Presidents road proposals. Now.
the fact is that President Eisenhower
and Senator Byrd are in accord on
both these basic things. Equally, they
want to prevent the waste of Govern
ment money, equally, they favor con.
troll by the States of their own internal
affairs. In this matter the point is not
as to which is right in his contention
about the method of financing the
roads, There is a plausible argument
on both sides. The point here sought
to be made Is that Senator Byrd votes
and talks the. way be believes regard
less Of who is President or what the
so-called political angles"
In brief, he is man of character
and courage. There are of course,
others in Congress. but they are not
many and he is the outstanding one.
His opposition to the Eisenhower road
program after his essential support of
the Eisenhower tax proposals recalls an
incident in the 1930s when Mr.. Roose-
welt was President. One morning while
the old AAA bill was pending in the
Senate. Senator Byrd got a call from
the White House. Harry" voice said,
this is your old friend Franklin
Roosevelt" Eyes, Mr. President" SAID
Senator Byrd. Harry" said the Presi-
dent, "I want you to do me a great per-
sonal favor" Anything l can I'll do,
Mr.. President" said Senator Byrd.
Well" said the President, IT hope you
will vote for this agricultural bill which
Is coming up today" Nov, Mr.. Presi-
dent" said Senator Byrd, II would be
glad to do anything could for you
personally, but I just can't vote for
that bill because believe it is an I'M
sound bill which violates the Constitu-
ZION ana would not benefit either the
farmer or the country"
Without another word the President
hung UP. From that day to Mr.. Roose-
velts death Senator Byrd was not in
vited to the White House in either his
personal or official capacity. This
rather amused Senator Byrd but it was
entirely typical Of the small, vindictive
spirit of Mr.. Roosevelt toward those
whom he was unable to charm or coerce
into support. Perhaps 1t is worth men,
tioning that after this breach between
the President and the Senator, Senator
Byrd in 1910 was renominated in Vir-
ginia with no Democratic primary OPP
position and that the Republicans put
up no candidate against him in the
general election.
Leagues Under the Sea" and other
Vnrr,o r1o ccics efiIl opo y,oy,,Ior fo,. @t,n