Evening star., 1961-01-07
BY DAISY CLELAND
Star Stan Writer

One of the best parties Of
the year is when House
Speaker Rayburn-"Mr. Sam"
takes a bow, and that's al
ways on his birthday.
The traditional party, which
took place last evening, is al
ways given by Mr.. and Mrs.
Dale Miller.
Even the guests are pretty
much the same group from
year to year. The only thing
that seems to change. and
every year. is "Mr. Sans"
age.
Last evening he claimed his
79 years proudly and said, II
intend to be here when I'm a
hundred"
When one guest quipped
that his birthdays seemed to
be coming around more and
more often lately, the Speaker
answered. mot fast enough
for me-Pd like two parties
a year-yes sir. that'd suit
me just fine"
The Speakers reaction to
the whole thing also re-
manned the same. He enjoyed
kissing all Of his favorite
pretty girls" and glaring at
any photographer who dared
take his picture in this COM
promising position. He also
had a few words (of not too
kind a nature) to 60 with
that huge TERED cake that he
again found waiting for his
stroke Of the knife. The pho
tographers were poised for
THE picture" and Mr.. Sam
struggled with the inches of
icing. A few words were
spoken to the confectionery
in between.
After final success an old
friend Of the Speaker was
brought forth to take his
comfortable place before the
cameras - Vice President
elect Lyndon Johnson.
Serious Business
Former Senator johnson
had arrived early at the party
and when he went through
the line brought up business
with his Texas colleague say
ing. That's what he wants
you know who I mean and
what I mean" The Speak
er. with a serious look on his
face. seemed to understand.
Mrs. johnson didn't attend
the party because of a bout
with flu. However, the Vice
President-elect, whose trade
mark all through the cam
paign had been a Western
hat, was asked how he would
react to the high silk hat and
morning frock coat dictated
for the inaugural by Presi-
dent-elect Kennedy. He re-
piled that he has owned a
top hat for four years but
was having his first frock
coat made.
The Speaker got another
tribute later when President
elect Kennedy showed up
briefly at a dinner in "Mr.
Sans" honor at the May
flower given by Mr.. and Mrs.
]. E. Connally Of Texas.
The President-elect came
into the Chinese Room of
the hotel while the 80 guests
were having their first course
and went up to the head
table briefly to pay his re-
spects to the Speaker. 1t
was reported that he spent
about two minutes at the
party for ''Mr. Sam"
There were many toasts
at the dinner but again there
came the annual one from
"Mr. Sam" to Mr.. johnson.
The Speaker felt he had to
remind the young" former
Senate Majority Leader that
your father served with me
in the House"
Among those at the head
table for the dinner were the
Speaker, his hosts, Mrs.
w. A. Thomas of Dallas, sis
ter Of the Speaker; Vice
President-elect johnson, Mr..
and Mrs. Roland Boyd and
MIR. and Mrs. Miller.
Attorney General desig-
nate and Mrs. Robert Ken
nedy also dropped by the
dinner briefly for a cocktail.
However, for all the trib-
utes at the dinner, "Mr.
Sam" really seemed to enjoy
old friends at the Millers'
party, one of whom could be
called an old political enemy
former Republican Speaker
OF the House Joseph w.
Martin.
When Representative Mar
tin came through the line he
said, "Mr. Speaker, congratu-
lations." To which the guest
Of honor replied Joe, God
bless you, God bless you for
coming"
The stocky man from Mas
sachusetts seemed to take a