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Mcallen Daily Monitor
Mcallen, Brownsville, Harlingen, Hidalgo County, Cameron County, Texas
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Concerns arise over the health of William B. Bankhead, the newly appointed Democratic floor leader in the House, due to a recent illness, as he is expected to play a pivotal role in the administration's legislative agenda during the current Congress session.
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By HERBERT PLUMMER
WASHINGTON, Jan 11.—The health of the new democratic floor leader of the house—the broad-shouldered, one-time star football player, William B. Bankhead of Alabama—may play a vital part in the administration's plans during the present congress.
Stricken on the day he was chosen second in command of the huge democratic majority in the house, his intimate friends, while not alarmed unduly, expressed concern.
During the last session he was stricken on the floor of the house and forced to be absent for some time. His latest illness, while described as of not a serious nature, was not taken lightly in view of the demands to be made on him during the coming months.
Bankhead is cast for one of the most important roles of all in this session of congress. It's safe to say the White House will lean on him as heavily as on any man on capitol hill in the working out of its legislative program.
SPEARHEAD OF HOUSE
He will be the spearhead of the democratic attack in the house. Personally popular—his popularity was shown when all geographical lines were forgotten in his elevation to floor leader of the majority—an able parliamentarian, a quick thinker on his feet and a master strategist, his presence on the hill at crucial moments is considered imperative by the administration.
Bankhead has a way of calming ruffled nerves. An able orator—he boasts with a twinkle that he learned how to speak by delivering orations over the graves of Confederate soldiers when a young lawyer in Alabama—he has the faculty of jumping into a breach and saying the correct thing at the correct time.
"Bill" Bankhead, as he is familiarly known to all of his colleagues, has saved the face of his party in the house more than once.
HEAVY BURDEN, BIG STICK
He will be of special value to the administration in the coming months because he is popular with all factions in the party.
Soon or later, most observers here believe, schisms and divisions are certain to crop up among the 322 democrats in the house. Bankhead will be the man whose delicate task it will be to guide the footsteps of the recalcitrants in the way they should go, grease the wheels of the legislative mill, and bring the harmony which is necessary to get things done.
He carries a heavy burden and, be it said, he carries a heavy stick and knows just when to use it.
His loss, even for short intervals, would be felt seriously in the house.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington
Event Date
Jan 11.
Key Persons
Outcome
stricken with illness on the day of his appointment as floor leader; previous absence due to illness during last session; latest illness not serious but concerning given upcoming demands.
Event Details
The health of William B. Bankhead, new Democratic floor leader of the House from Alabama, is a concern after he fell ill on the day of his selection. As a key figure in the administration's legislative plans, his role involves leading the Democratic majority, managing party factions, and ensuring harmony in the House.