ustxtxb_obs_1967_04_28_50_00005-00000_000.pdf

stack of telegrams \(one from the Presilamations of congratulations from 35 municipalities in his legislative district, and kind words from Gov. John Connally, master of ceremonies Hal Woodward \(a state Wills, State Sen. J. P. Word, Atty. Gen. Crawford Martin, and several spokesmen of the home folks. Barnes gave the envelope of money, unopened, to the De Leon library and will get the quilt later, when it’s completed. G OV. CONNALLY delivered the main address during the informal hourlong ceremony, though for a time there it appeared that the remarks of the lady from De Leon who presented the Memorial Quilt would outdistance the governor’s speed in duration; Connally came from behind to win by about 45 seconds, however. He observed that the “most severe disagreement Ben and I have ever had” was over which part of the state, De Leon or Floresville, is the peanut capital. He praised the speaker, saying “were it not for him and his dedication . . . all of our tasks in Austin would be much more difficult.” He said Barnes recognizes that the needs of the future will exceed those of the present. This was, perhaps, an oblique plug for the governor’s budget, which Barnes is championing in the legis lature. Lt. Gov. Preston Smith has been outspoken in holding out for a smaller budget and a collision is impending on this question in Austin. Connally said that Barnes has played an important role during the last few years, when Texas’ government “has seen the greatest transformation.” The governor cited his administration’s attention to mental health and retardation, education, and water conservation, utilization, and distribution. “This is more than a social gathering today,” he went on. “We should take the opportunity to pay our respects to [Barnes] and rededicate our own efforts. . . .” “If you’ll pardon a personal reference,” Connally said, “as long as I live I shall never forget that the first appearance I made as a candidate for governor was in Ben Barnes’ district. . . . The first man to greet me after I announced for governor was Ben Barnes. Our first stop was in Bangs, Texas, and from there we have travelled the long, long trail until we are where we are today, where it is my privilege to serve you as governor.” Barnes, moved by the governor’s words, said “Governor, you are extremely kind in your remarks . . . many being true, many bordering on being, perhaps, a little bit false.” There was a fleeting, nervous pause at this point, but then the governor smiled and the crowd laughed in good humored relief. Barnes praised Connally’s leadership, then thanked the ladies of the De Leon Chamber of Commerce for “chrocheting that quilt.” Noting the subdued amusement, Barnes deduced correctly that he had betrayed man’s ignorance of the mysterious world of woman. He added, as an amendment, “or whatever it is that you’ve had to do to it.” Barnes closed by expressing the hope “that some day, in some small way, I shall deserve all you have bestowed today on Martha [his wife] and me.” THE PROGRAM was concluded by all singing “Happy Birthday” to Barnes, who turned 29 two days later. Speaker’s Day is usually held in the House chamber, but was conducted here this year in Barnes’ home of Comanche County. Several thousand well-wishers wr..tre on hand for barbecue and the program. Some of the guests were flown in to the event on one of the 25 to 50 private airplanes that overburdened the Comanche airport. Among other officials present were nine former Speakers, five State Senators, a number of House members, and Cong. Graham Purcell. Lt. Gov. Smith, who is a political rival of Barnes’, was absent; he told one reporter that he and Mrs. Smith had previously committed themselves to hosting a bridge party in Austin that day. G. 0. Political Intelligence The ‘Dirty Thirty’ Get Together V Liberal House members have lately begun to meet and discuss strategy, under the leadership of Reps. Don Gladden of Fort Worth, Ed Harris of Galveston, and Rex Braun of Houston. The group meets each Monday, calling themSelves the “dirty thirty.” As evidence that they have been able to do some good, they point out that there were 44 votes in the House against the four-year term amendment this time, compared to 17 in 1965. The four-year term amendment passed the House after four Representatives changed their votes overnight to support Connally’s proposal. If approved by the voters, state officials would have four, instead of two, years in office. Voting no one day, yes the next, were Reps. Dean Neugent of Texas City, Honore Ligarde of Laredo, Jim Stroud of Dallas, and Ace Pickens of Odessa. Voting aye, after having not voted the day before, were Speaker Ben Barnes, Dick McKissack, Dallas, and Russell Cummings, Houston. The amendment needed 100 votes and now goes to the Senate. There is movement to resuscitate the minimum wage bill. Conversation in the House has it that the measure was to be moved to a more friendly committee. But it would take a vote on the floor, as Speaker Ben Barnes has pledged not to interfere with Rep. Gene Hendryx’ labor committee. Hendryx has assigned the bill to an unfavorable subcommittee. In the Senate, a 16-to-14 vote re-referred the minimum wage bill from the labor committee to the liberal-controlled state departments and institutions committee. The vote gives some hope that if the bill does reach the floor, it might pass. Voting for re-referral were Sens. Jim Bates, Joe Bernal, V. E. Berry, Chet Brooks, Joe Christie, Criss Cole, Ralph Hall, Roy Harrington, Charles Herring, Barbara Jordan Don Kennard, Oscar Mauzy, Bill Patman, Babe Schwartz, Jack Strong, and Charles Wilson. Sen. Wayne Connally was absent. fro The industrial safety act that passed the House last week by 143-to-0 is said to be the strongest ever to come out of the House. But there is still some question as to how efefctive it would be, should it pass the Senate and be signed by the governor. Enforcement would be in the hands of the Health Dept., a fact that is causing doubts about the worth of the measure. Legislative Notes Rep. Rex Braun is hopeful that the substance of his anti-pollution bills will succeed this session. The House was to take up two of Braun’s four bills this week. goor Sen.. Jim Bates, Edinburg, probably doesn’t expect the Senate to do anything with his resolution calling for an investigation of the LBJ State Park fund, but there are rumors that some effect may have resulted from Bates’ forthright criticism of the handling of the fund. Will Odom, Parks and Wildlife Dept. chairman, may resign, it is said. A. W. Moursund, a second member of the threeman commission that last year began handling the fund, was not reappointed to the board. V Branch banking for the four largest counties appears to be dead this session. frof Daylight savings will begin April 30 in Texas, the House having voted, 90to-57, against exempting the state from the federal uniform time act, which Congress passed last year. April 28, 1967 5