Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-11-16

President Kennedy led thu
death of Sam Rayburn.
In a statement issued a
President was flying westward
Mr.. Kennedy said the country
an unflinching friend"
The President was infoT
shortly after it occurred in
the Speakers home town Of
Bonham. Tex.
The White House withheld
word on whether the President
would attend Saturdays fu-
neral services. but it was ex-
pected he would.
The Presidents statement
said:
Mrs. Kennedy and I join
the Nation in mourning the
death of Speaker Raybourn.
His public service stretched
from the administration Of
woodrow Wilson to the pres
ent day. But it was the quality
Of that service more than its
length that was so distinctive.
Friend of Presidents
"A strong defendant of con-
stitutional responsibilities of
the Congress, ne had an in
Stinctive understanding of the
American system and was a
loyal counsellor and friend of
Presidents of both parties on
the great matters which af-
fected our national interest and
security.
Il had singular opportunities
as a young Congressman, and
more recently as President, to
appreciate his temperament
and his character. Both were
bedded in rock and remained
unchanged by circumstance.
This country has lost a de-
voted servant and the citizens
of this country an unflnching
friend"
And from around the Nation
there was a quick outpouring
of sad tributes to the man who
had led the House longer than
any other.
Two longtime partners OF
tn Speaker in dealing with the
Nations business-Vice Presi-
dent Johnson and Senate
Democratic Leader Mansfield
effectively summed up for their
legislative colleagues.
JOhnsOn's Statement
A statement by Mr.. johnson
said:
THE Capitol is lonely place
without him, and the good
people of the world have lost
a companion and an ally. He
was always there when he was
needed. His voice and his judg-
ment were heard and respected.
In the end it all added up to
one thing: He did what was
right"
Senator Mansfield put e
similar view in these words;
"I feel that I have lost both
a father and a brother, but /
know the Nations loss is
greater still. He was the last
of the old frontiersmen and his
place will be difficult to fill"
Representative Mccormack
of Massachusetts, likely sue
cessor in the Speakers post
Sam Rayburn held so long, had
this to say at Boston:
In the death Of Speaker
Rayburn the country stops in
sorrow. He was an outstanding
legislator and close friend and
advisor of many Presidents.
The Speaker was one of the
great Americans of all times.
He always stood for a strong
national defense, a firm foreign
policy and for progressive legis-
lation for the best interests of
our country"
Former President Truman,
also an old and close associate
of Mr.. Rayburn, said at his
home in Independence, Mo-,
that he is Just as sorry as I
can be to hear of Sans passing.
He was one of the great men
of our time. one of our greatest
statesmen"
Former President EiSenhow-
er, vacationing at the Augusta
National Golf Club, said Mr..
Rayburn's legislative leader
ship was unmatched. 1t will
long inspire all who seek i'm
portant positions in public
service. On international af-
fairs he was a tower of
strength for four Presidents.
An outspoken partisan, I found
him also equally bipartisan in
all matters affecting the secu-
rity of our country. To know
Mr.. Sam was to admire and like
him"
In New York, former Presi-
dent Hoover said Mr.. Rayburn
commanded both affection
and respect irrespective of po-
litical affiliation. Our country
is better for his life among us"
Nixon Comments
Former Vice President Nixon
said, Sam Rayburn was one
of the most effective political
leaders the Nation has produced
in this country. While he al
ways fought hard for his party,
on issues involving national Sc
curity he was always an Ameri-
can first and a Democrat sec
ond."
Secretary of State Rusk said
that as a result of Speaker Ray
burns leadership untold mil
lions throughout the globe
will lead lives Of greater oppor-
tunity."
Former House Speaker Mar
tin of Massachusetts, long a
worker with Mr.. Rayburn
and the man who took over
from the Texan when the Re-
- ~ tho