Battle of Washington's Birthday

Representative William J. Gallagher, 69-year-old retired Minneapolis street sweeper, had made his maiden speech: it was a nice, kindly plea for unity among the members of the House. Congressmen applauded. Majority Leader John W. McCormack was so impressed that he rose to praise old Bill Gallagher.

Next day was Washington's Birthday. Congressmen listened solemnly to the invocation by Chaplain James S. Montgomery, heard George Washington's farewell address, delivered by Representative Marion T. Bennett of Missouri. Then Michigan's labor-baiting Clare Hoffman got the floor and the House forgot all about George Washington and Bill Gallagher, too. Clare Hoffman was barely set on his feet when he began to flail away at the C.I.O., the P.A.C. and the Communists. Michigan's Frank E. Hook, supported by C.I.O.-P.A.C. in the last election, broke in to defend his friends. Said he without heat: "The C.I.O. and the P.A.C. are doing more to keep down the Communists than any other group in the United States."

That was too much for slack-chinned John Rankin, Mississippi's loudest demagogue. He hopped up and shouted:

"Of course they are keeping them down because they are tied around their necks, tied up with them, wrapped up with them, holding them down."

Words, Words, Words. Michigan's burly Hook flushed, seemed to be trying to keep hold of himself. Said he: "And we hope to hold them down. And if the gentleman from Mississippi will quit his raving and ranting and get down and at least assist the good citizens of the C.I.O., he would probably be doing a service to this country."

John Rankin's hair was flying as he shouted back: "Whenever I get down to the gentleman's level as it is reflected down here by this FEPC [Fair Employment Practice Committee] and Communists that he has been mixed up with. . . ."

The rest was drowned out by Hook's shout, "You are a dirty liar when you say Communists!"*

To the Mat. Slight (140 lbs.), aging (62) John Rankin charged down the aisle, leaped upon the bullnecked, ham-handed Representative from Michigan. They clinched and Rankin began yanking at the 195-lb. ex-lumberjack's hair. Hook did not try to strike his opponent ("A gentleman can't strike an old man")./- Members separated them.

For the Country's Good? In the cloakrooms conservative Democrats talked darkly of expelling Hook from the House; Hookmen suggested the same for Rabble-Rouser Rankin. Gleeful Republicans called it "a Democratic fight" and dealt themselves out. The peacemakers' suggestion was an apology from both contestants. The next day Hook did apologize--for three minutes. Rankin did not. He made a statement "that you may know exactly how I feel. . . . I was not responsible for what occurred yesterday."

But Hook had the last word. Said he: "If John Rankin would resign his seat, I'd be happy to go with him--for the good of the country." Rankin, for once, held his tongue.

* The Congressional Record read "goddamned liar" before the words were stricken from it, but Hook swore he had not used profanity.

/- At a party several years ago at the Shoreham Hotel, Hook, flattened the late Representative P. L. Gassaway with one punch.

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