Evening star., 1955-01-06
The Political MiH
When Sam Ruyburn
Speaks, They AHListen
Mr.. Democrat Respected
On Both Sides Of the Aisle
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Speaker Rayburn-.'Ar. Sam" 10
President Eisenhower and to Republic
can and Democratic members Of Com
gress alike comes closer today to
being Mr.. Democrat than any man
alive. He Is gladly accepted by both
Northern and Southern Democrats.
When he speaks, he is listened to.
and what he says almost invariably
has its effect.
His return to the speakership when
the 84th Congress opened yesterday
was marked by his own speech on the
state OF the Union-24 hours before
President Eisenhower was to take the
floor In Joint session to lay his pro.
gram before the new Congress. ! In
his remarks, Mr.. Rayburn In general
terms outlined Democratic policy.
That policy is to go along with the
President in the field Of foreign af-
fairs-so long as true bipartisanship Is
sought by the Chief Executive. That
policy calls for strong national de-
fense-so strong that potential foreign
enemies win not make the mistake Of
considering this country unprepared.
Two world wars. he commented, grew
largely out OF the fact enemies be-
lieved the United States. unprepared.
Obviously, he intends to examine the
Eisenhower defense program for any
deficiencies.
Liberalixed Trade Act.
In an interview. published In the
current issue Of Newsweek, the Speaker
went more into detail. He declared
that the Democrats would support Gen.
Eisenhower's proposals for hberalizing
reciprocal trade agreements. He pre-
dicted success in that field. He said
that the Democrats would make an
effort to restore the rigid 90 per cent
parity price supports for major farm
products. He admitted. however. there
would be Democrats as well as Re.
publicans In favor Of retaining the
Eisenhower Benson flexible price sup-
ports. "It viii depend on how the
farmers feel" he commented. The
farmers, themselves, however, are well
divided on this issue.
Mr.. Rayburn expressed his wiling
ness to 60 along with the President In
his request to continue the present
corporation and excise taxes which
are due to be reduced In April II no
action Is taken. He said, too, that there
win be movement for revision Of the
Taft-Hartley labor law. He said he
voted against the law when 1t passed
in the 80th Congress over President
Truman's veto thought 1t was o puni-
tive measure" II don't know whether
we'll be successful In revising It." he
commented. There's strong bipartisan
opposition In the leadership Of the
Labor Committee"
'sNFr. Democrat
sMr. Sans" Ii the dominating DEM
ocratic voice In the Congress land It ID
In Congress that the issues for the
1856 national campaign win be made.
His voice Is all the more dominating
because he is not In the widest sense
o candidate for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination. He IL 73 years old
land he regards the ofiice Of Speaker
Is tremendously important. For "a
years he has been member OF the
House, and for more than 10 years he
has been Speaker. although not con-
secutive years. He yielded the office to
Republican Joe Martin Of Massachu-
setts In 1947, and again In 1853. Now
he has taken 1t back from Mr.. Martin.
During his years in the House and
In the speakership, Mr.. Rayburn has
won the respect and affection Of thou-
sands Of members with whom he has
served. He has been their friend and
adviser on the Republican side Of the
aisle as well as on the Democratic. His
strongest emphasis has been on the
need Of members to attend the ses-
sions Of the House and 80 learn the
practical side Of the House rules. II
he had his way, absenteeism would be
reduced to the zero point.
Newsweek put its finger on the rea-
sons for Mr.. Rayburn's present strong
position. It said: 'Rayburn Is q middle
Of -roader, who keeps his own party
from flying apart and exerts o calming
influence on the House as o whole"
He is armed with an array Of fornli-
dable weapons; well-organized mind.
political craftiness, aggressiveness, con-
siderable open-mindedness and vast ex-
perience.n
The saith Congress opened with the
Democrats In control, In friendly, Il
temporary. mood. How long this mood
will last remains to be seen--and Mr..
Rayburn's own attitude win have o
good deal Of influence. The Speaker
is intent upon having the Democratic
Congress show to the country that 1t
Is both constructive and progressive.
No one knows better than the Speaker,
however, that the next presidential
election Is Just around the corner and
that 1t Is Of vital Importance to his
party to regain control Of the White
House and the executive branch Of the
Federal Government.
No one. on the other hand. doubts
Mr.. Rayburn's devotion TO his country.
He win to the best Of his ability support
measures he believes to be In it, in-
terest.
Questions and Answers