Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-01-02
! Death to Bring Shutting
! Of Top Senate Committees
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lican Governor, Henry Bellmon,
on Januray ID.
But the question Of who will
succeed Senator Kerr is of far
less Importance to the Demo-
Gratis than the effect his pass
ing may have on such major
legislation as taxes, medical
care for the aged. the space
program and public works.
During the last Congress
Senator Kerr was the key man
on all Of these issues, and was
frequently referred to a the
most influential man on Capt.
toll Hill.
Senator Kerr supported Pres
ident Kennedy's program, with
one exception medical care for
the aged under social security.
He led the determined fight
which resulted in the defeat of
the medical care bill in the
Senate by a slender margin,
and his death may improve the
chances for passage of that bill
in the new Congress.
But on many other occasions
last year Senator Kerr carried
the ball for the White House
and his loss will be felt by
administration leaders on a
variety of other subjects in the
session ahead.
On Communications Bin
He steered President Ken
nedy's tax incentive bill
through the Senate last sum-
mer when it developed that the
powerful chairman Of the FL
nance Committee, Senator
Harry F. Byrd of Virginia, was
not enthusiastic for the
measure.
The Oklahoman also played
a leading role in passing the
administrations bill for private
ownership Of communication
satellites, over the determined
opposition Of a small group Of
Democrats who favored Gov
eminent ownership. To get
final action on that bill, the
Senate invoked its debate linn
iting cloture rule for the first
time In 35 years.
Later, in the closing hours
of the old Congress, Senator
Kerr again was in the lime
light, negotiating an agree
ment with the House on a big
river, harbor and flood control
bin after the measure appeared
hopelessly deadlocked.
The death of Senator Kerr
also has taken from the Sem
ate its sharpest and ablest
debater.
A towering figure at 6-foot-3
and more than 20J pounds,
Senator Kerr possessed al
strong voice and an ability to
match wits with any opponent
in either party. But even when
he applied a verbal lash, he
did it with smile.
In the closing hours of de-
bate on the communication
satellite bill, Senator Douglas,
Democrat of Illinois, referred
to Senator Kerr as the "un-
crowned king of the Senate"
Senator Kerr never at a loss
for words, retorted:
The Senator from Okla
homa is not uncrowned in this
body. He has been crowned
every year since he has been
here by none other than the
Senator from Illinois, and each
time with a crown Of thorns."
Election Next November
Senator Kerr's term had four
years to run, and under Okla
homa law the Governor may
name a successor to serve until
the next general election, in
November 1864.
If Gov. Edmondson should
aspire to the Senate. he could
resign before January IA and
1t. Gov. George Nigh could
appoint him.
The Associated Press re-
ported from Oklahoma City
that the two names mentioned
foremost in talk Of a successor
are 37-year-old Gov. Edmond
son, who could not succeed him
self as Governor, and his older
brother. 43-year-old Repre-
sentative Ed Edmondson.
A precedent for the resigna-
ton Of the Governor was set
recently when Senator Chavez,
Democrat Of New Mexico, died
in November. Republican Gov.
Edwin L. Mechem Of New Mexi-
co, who had just been defeated
for reelection, resigned and
was appointed to the Senate
vacancy pending an election.
Gov. Edmondson was at the
Orange Bowl in Miami. watch
ing the Oklahoma Alabama
football game when informed
Of Senator Kerr's death.
II am shocked" said the
Governor. His death is a great
loss to the country and espe-
cially to Oklahoma"
Tragic" Says Mansfield
Senator Mansfield called the !
POS tragic and unexpected"
He said the loss win be felt