THE CONGRESS: Voice of the 84th

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The final turn came in 1943, when Navy Flyer Marcus George, the younger of the Senator's two sons, was lost in the Atlantic while searching for a downed plane. The effect on George was seen in the debate on the United Nations Security Charter, when the old League of Nations foe, his personal loss raw in his mind even after two years, stood in the Senate chamber to make one of his greatest speeches: "Our best men have died on the earth. The blue waters have swallowed them up. From the flaming skies they have gone down to death—to win this war and to make possible a better world for another generation of Americans." The U.S. had held out to its sons a promise of peace, for which the U.N. seemed the best hope of fulfillment. Said George, his emotion welling high in his voice: "I am sure every member of this Senate means to keep that promise." He was awarded a rare tribute: every member of the U.S. Senate arose to applaud his words.

The Bargain. When the Democrats took over the Congress this year, Middle-Reader George was just the man for Middle-Roader Dwight Eisenhower. Shortly after the elections, Secretary Dulles talked to George urging him to waive his chairmanship of the Finance Committee (which would thereby fall into the trusted hands of Virginia's Harry Byrd) to head the Foreign Relations Committee. George had one objection: the Foreign Relations job carries with it heavy social demands, and Walter George has strict early-to-bed habits (9:30 o'clock every night). A few weeks later, George went to the White House to see President Eisenhower, who also urged him to take Foreign Relations. In the middle of the conversation, Ike was called on the telephone. Hanging up, he told George with mock anxiety: "I understand there is a very serious complication about your chairmanship." Then, laughing, he explained that Dulles had just called and told him about George's rule against evening engagements. The President promised to observe George's wishes; George promised to head the Foreign Relations Committee. Said he: "Of course, if I am summoned to a White House function at night, I will come —once."

Ike's social concession was cheap at the price, for Democrat George has been the Republican Administration's strong right arm in Congress. Yet Opposition Leader Lyndon Johnson is also pleased with George's position in the 84th, since his fellow Democrats have fallen in behind the old man to make for a party united as it has rarely been before. It is this unity that the Democrats may be able to take to the country next year against a Republican Party still angrily split. If Dwight Eisenhower does not run, the Democrats think they have a good chance to take the presidency.

Walter George enjoys his role as the most powerful member of the 84th, and he has been able to maintain the even tenor of his ways.