Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 277, Decatur, Adams County, 23 November 1963 — Page 2

PAGE TWO

■ ,_j , ; -- < Johnson’s First Day Sets Terrific Pace

WASHINGTON (UPI) — Lyndon B. Johnson grimly assumed the burdens of the presidency Friday night and in an immediate flurry of activity won a pledge of bipartisan congressional cooperation in the dark days that follow President Kennedy's assassination. The new President, who took over 3 with an appeal for help from God and the people, met with congressional and' administration officials, contacted former presidents, and kept in touch with the FBI on the investigation into the assassination of his predecessor. He also scheduled a meeting in Washington at 11:30 a.m. EST., Saturday with former President Kennedy during his, 34 months in the White House. Johnson, who was sworn into office in Dallas at 3:39 p.m., EST., returned to Washington on the plane that bore President Kennedy’s body. Returns To Home He went immediately to his office, held a series of conferences, and at 9:38 p.m. retired to his heavily guarded home in the Spring Valley section of northwest Washington. The new Chief Executive won his pledge of cooperation from Democratic and Republican congressional leaders at a brief meeting in his old vice presidential offices near the White House. After the--meeting with congressional leaders, the White House issued a brief statement saying that the new President Republican officials of the House and Senate for their “united support in the face of the tragedy that has befallen our country.” “He said that it is more essential than ever before that this country, be united,” the statement said “The legislative leaders of both parties assured President Johnson of their bipartisan cooperation.” The new President also conferred with Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara; McGeorge Bundy, White House adviser on national security affairs, and Undersecretary of State George W. Ball, presumably on foreign and defense matters. In addition, the Chief Executive talked by telephone with former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry Truman. The White House said former President Herbert Hoover also had been contacted. It did not say in what manner. Eisenhower and Truman were scheduled to arrive in Washington during the weekend to join mourners .when President Kennedy’s body lies in state at the Capitol Sunday and Monday: The White House said Hooverindicated he could not get to Washington. Last rites for the deceased President will be performed in Washington Monday at a Pontifical Requiem Mass celebrated by Richard Cardinal Cushing, archbishop of Boston. Works Into Night Johnson, known as an exacting taskmaster, worked into the night as he attempted the highly complicated task of taking over the reins of government. He presumably wanted a conference as soon as possible with. officials who were out of town when he was suddenly thrust into the nation's highest office. Sen. George Smathers, D-Fla.. was among the congressional delegation that met briefly with Johnson Friday night, and was one of the few who spoke about the session afterward. He said every Republican present offered “total help and cooperation.” Smathers described Johnson as “stunned” at the course of events and said the new Chief Executive apparently felt the

1 ItT r ■ jM W “*»-W& J3S ,*W 0 •? & JBU. MBb Mb Lb Wk<BBOIBP in ohm w . I W & AT FORT WORiH—The President applauds as his wile is introduced at a breakfast meetW 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. - • / .

“awesome responsibility” he now faced. Besides Smathers, the congressional group included Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield. Mont.; Republican Senate Leader Everett Dirksen, Ill., Speaker John McCormack, Mass.; Chairman J. William Fulbright, D-Ark., of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Democratic Whip Hubert Humphrey, Minn., and Senate GOP Whip Thomas Kuchel, Calif. For the time being at least, the new President appeared ready to hold over present cabinet officials. But he undoubtedly will make changes in the weeks and months ahead. Johnson already had been sworn into presidential office by a woman judge before he left Dallas on the plane that also bore the body of President Kennedy back to the capital. The plane, carrying the new President and the body of the slain John F. Kennedy, arrived at Andrews at 5:58 . p.m. EST. The presidential craft was several minutes ahead of lime in its arrival at the base, about 15 miles outside Washington, where helicopters waited to transport Johnson to the White House and the slain President’s body to Bethesda, Md., Naval Hospital. The huge four-engine jet plane taxied to an area where hundreds of newsmen and cameramen swarmed under floodlights waiting for its arrival. Johnson conferred with House and Senate leaders shortly after his arrival in Washington and the White House said he had a-sked for their “united support in the face of the tragedy that has befallen our country.” “He said that is is more es--sential than*, ever before that this country be united.” the statement said. “The legislative leaders of both parties assured President Johnson of their bipartisan, cooperation.” One who attended. Sen. George Smathers, D-Fla.. said that the Republicans offered Johnson their “total help and cooperation" Sen. J. William -Fulbright. D-Ark., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described Joohnson as “calm and contained." Also meeting, Johnson were McCormack, who now is next in line for the presidency; Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mans- ,. uSsnate - GQJP er Everett M. Dirksen. Hl,: Senate Democratic Whip Hubert Humphrey, Minn., and Senate GOP Whip Thomas Kuchel, Calif. Confers With McNamara Earlier. Johnson conferred with Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara, Undersecretaries of State W. Averell Harriman and Georgfe W. Ball, and presidential security . adviser McGeorge Bundy. He spoke to Eisenhower and Truman by telephone. Rusk returned to Washington earlier today with five other dabinet officials. Their flight to Japan from Honolulu for trade talks was reversed when they heard of "Kennedy's assassinaThe others were Treasury Secretary Douglas Dillon, Commerce, Secretary Luther Hodges, Agriculture Secretary Orville Freeman, Labor Secretary Willard Wirtz and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall. Johnson left his office for his Washington home at 9:38 p.m., after a day. of enormous tragedy he could never have predicted when it began. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were to have entertained the touring Kennedys at their vast LBJ ranch in Texas, Friday night. But those plans, and the course of the nation’s history, changed abruptly at 1:31 p.m., EST Friday.

Johnson was riding two cars behind the Kennedy limousine in downtown Dallas when the sniper’s bullet hit its mark. Immediately surrounded by Secret Service agents, Johnson sped to the hospital where Kennedy died about a half-hour later. President’s Plane Waiting Johnson was then whisked under heavy guard to Dallas’s municipal airport, Love Field, where the President’s jet transport plane. Air Force One, waited on one side of the runway. Inside, crammed in the uncomfortably warm forward compartment,27 persons saw Johnson take the solemn oath as the 36th President of the United States, the eighth vice president to enter the office and the fourth to do so because of an assassination. On Johnson’s right was his wife; on his left, the grief-strick-en Mrs. Kennedy. Administering the oath was an old Johnson family friend. Federal District Judge Sarah T; Hughes, 67, whom Kennedy had appointed the first woman judge of the Dallas district. Judge Hughes held out a small, black-covered Bible someone had thrust in her hand as she boarded the plane. “Hold up your right hand and repeat after me,” she told Johnson. Johnson placed his left hand over the Bible, raised his right hand, and repeated: : “I do solemnly swear I will faithfully'’ execute the office of the President of the United States to the best' of my ability and to preserve; uphold and ' protect the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.” It was 3:38 p.m., EST. Connally Listed 'Good Condition’ DALLAS (UPI) — Texas Gov. John Connally was wounded seriously Friday by a bullet from the rifle of the assassin who killed the President. Friday night, after four hours of chest surgery, doctors said Connally’s condition was good. A Connally aide said the goveronor’s first question when he came out from anesthesia was “Where is Nellie?” (His wife). The governors wife entered the hospital room and he asked her: “How are. the kids?” Connally, who was President Kennedy s first Navy secretary, has not been told that Kennedy is dead. Doctors said they would withhold the news from him for the time being because of his wound. Doctors described the governor as "mentally alert and comfortable” after the operation. Mrs. Connally and the governor's eldest son, Johnnie. 17, moved into quarters near him. A team of three surgeons, including one rushed from Houston 250 miles away by jet, removed one of the 46-year-old governor’s ribs and repaired a lung cut by the rifle bullet. Dr. Tom Shires, chief of surgeons of the Southwest Medical Center, said it saved his life. “If he had not turned, the bullet would have gone through the middle of the back and probably would have punctured the heart.” A fragment struck Connally's right wri«t, fracturing it. Other fragments struck his left leg just above the knee and lodged there. Connally was conscious. He gasped to an aide, "take care of Nellie.” his wife who was sitting next to him in the car. The bullet entered Connally’s right shoulder and emerged from his chest. Fragments lodged in

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

Lyndon Johnson JFK Opponent At Convention WASHINGTON (UPI) - Lyndon B. Johnson, the nation’s new president is, a hard-driving Texan who last the 1960 Democratic nomination to John F. Kennedy, but then served as his younger rival’s vice president with unflagging loyalty. Friday’s tragic assassination of Kennedy in Texas elevated the 55-year-old Johnson to the post he sought and lost in a bitter convention fight three years ago. Johnson, who suffered a near fatal heart attack eight years ago, is possibly better prepared legislatively and administratively than any vice president in history who has been called upon to Jake up the task of the. presidency. And in his service as vice president with the slain President, Johnson showed a humility and devotion that was new to many political observers. The hate-killing of Kennedy came ironically only six months after Johnson, in paying lavish tribute to Kennedy, had said “seeds of hate ... have fallen on stony ground and withered in the sunshine.” The reference was. to. the way he said Kennedy had won the hearts of many people who formerly disliked him. Johnson has close to three decades of Washington experience behind him. He became president with infinitely greater experience for the job than Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Harry S. Truman —or even Franklin D. Roosevelt. Not only in Congress, however, did Johnson accumulate the background that will stand him in good stead at the White House since becoming vice president—a job he said he would nevter accept while he actively opposed Kennedy for the nomination —Johnson has added to his wealth of experience. In ' turn, Kennedy refused to assign Johnson to the back of the political shelf, even though their political beliefs were often sharply contrasting when they were in the Senate together. Johnson took a major hand in many domestic and foreign af-~ fairs—and knows many of the world’s leaders. Kennedy sent his vice presi- . dent around the world where * Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, won warm popularity. He visited sections of Europe as recently -as early this- month. ■ Bnt Johnson-now. has . ‘been thrust into the world's biggest job only after pulling one of the biggest surprises of the decade —w’hen he said “yes’ to Kennedy’s request that he be his Johnson’s health appears good. There has been no recurrence since he was felled by a severe heart attack in July, 1955. It was the most serious crisis of his life but he recovered. ' Johnson — tne eighth vice president to become the president—served as a House member, aS. a senator and as what many congressional veterans call the greatest .Senate majority leader in current political . ■ memocy. “ Lyndon Baines Johnson was born Aug. 27, 1908, in a frame house on the banks of the Pedernales River, near Stonewall, in the straggly hill country of central Texas. Sam Ealy Johnson. a Texas legislator, and Rebekah Baines Johnson, a gentle. education-minded woman, were his parents. At the age of 27, Johnson made a bold bid for a seat in Congress. He defeated nine opponents as an out-and-out New Deal backer. > President Roosevelt, fishing in the Gulf off Texas, sent for the youngster, liked him, and invited him to ride back across the state on the presidential train. Johnson was on his way. Even as his first House term began in 1937, Johnson beganbuilding a record with an eye on the White House. his rite. The fifth rib was removed during surgery. ■Shires was in Houston when the shooting occurred. He was rushed to Ellington Air Force Base inHouston and flown by jet to Dal las, He went immediately —into— surgery at Parkland Hospital. “An aide, Julian Read, said "All damage has , been arrested." Read said “as far as we know he dries not know the President is dead.” •tonnallv was sittine s^at 1 ' facing’ Wpi'uiixfy' Avtien tne two were shot. His wife said she thought Kennedy was shot first. Mrs. Connally and Mrs. Kennedy also were in the automobile. They were unhurt. “Jackie grabbed the President and I grabbed John and we both ducked down in the car,” Mrs. Connally said. Secret Service men rushed them straight to the hospital. Read said the governor wpuld remain in Parkland Hospital so an "indefinite’ ’ time.

Highlights In President Johnson's Life

AUSTIN, Tex. (UPI) —Highlights in the life of President Lyndon B. Johnson: 1908—Born Aug. 27, near Johnson City, Tex., eldest son of Samuel Ealy Johnson Jr., a school teacher, and member of the. Texas Legislature, and Rebekah Baines Johnson. 1913—Entered public school at Johnson City, was graduated in spring of 1924. 1924—Began work at $1 per day on a road-building gang. Had urge to travel and wanted to see the West. Worked his way to California where he worked in Imperial Valley. Later returned to Texas and resumed work on roadbuilding gang. 1927— Decided to go to college. Enrolled in Southwest Texas Stale Teachers College, San Marcos, Tex., in February. Worked as janitor, door-to-door salesman and other odd jobs to pay for education. 1928 — Had to leave college when money ran out. Took a job teaching school at Tulia, Tex. Used first pay check to buy athletic equipment for underprivileged Latin American children. 1929— Returned to college. 1930— Graduated from Southwest Texas State in August. Took job teaching school in Houston, Tex. 1932 — Went to Washington, D.C., as secretary to Rep. Richard Kleberg, D-Tex., remaining in that post until 1935. 1934— Married Claudia (Lady Bird). Taylor on Nov. 17. Attended night school at Georgetown, 1935— Named Texas administrator of the National Youth Administration by President Roosevelt. 1937—Successfully sought 10th congressional seat without opposition and remained there until elected to U.S. Senate in 1948. 1940— Masterminded congressional campaign and instrumental in retaining Democratic leadership in House. 1941— Sought seat in U.S. Senate vacated by death of Sen. Morris Sheppard. Lost to Gov. W. Lee (Pappy) O’Daniel by 1,311 votes. 1941—Within hours after casting vote to declare war on Japan and Germany, was in uniform. He was first member of Congress to enter active duty. Received Silver Star for gallantry in action on a flight over New Guinea. 1942 — Returned to Congress FDR ordered all members of the Congress in the armed forces to return to their offices. 1948—Made second try for Senate. Defeated Former Gov. Coke Stevenson in an unusually tight election. Out of about one million votes cast, Johnson won by a majority of 87 votes. 1950—Became chairman of the armed services preparedness subcommittee. 1951 — Unanimously elected party whip. Won praise of colleagues for his z work and ability as a “can-do” man. 1953—Named minority leader

Congress Expresses Profound Grief

WASHINGTON (UPD—President Kennedy’s assassination struck Congress Friday With soul-jsickening shock. Then there was stunned grief, mingled with anger at the crime. “My God .. . my God .. . what are we coming to,” were the only words that Speaker John McCormack could utter when told that the 46-year-old President had been shot down in Dallas. McCormack’s response was echoed throughout the tragic afternoon by other senators and House members who had served with the slain Chief Executive before he entered the White House. Summons All Senators Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield immediately summoned all senators to the floor for a special period bf prayer while the President was dying. He called the slaying "not only a great tragedy for the nation but ft is, I think, a mark against the respectability , and responsibility of some of our citizens.” , Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen on learning of the shooting could ° only exclaim: "Oh God. This is the most distressing thing that could ever happen.” Dirksen could still barely, summon words. He called the crime "incredible” and told newsmen: "I’m a little bewildered as I know the nation and the whole world will be.” Os the assassin, Dirksen said "the gates of hell must have congealed inside him.” He mourned Kennedy as the victim of “a violent and indescribable hate." Runts Into Tears Sen. Margaret Chase Smith,

when Democrats lost control of Senate by a single vote. 1954— Re-elected to U.S. Senate for second term. 1955— Elected majority leader of Senate, the youngest (46) majority leader in history. Steered Senate to impressive record. Suffered heart attack July 2. After hospitalization in Washington, recuperated on his Texas ranch and returned to Senate Dec. 12. 1956 — Southern Democrats launched a drive to win presi-

- OUR 36th PRESIDENT - LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON

R-Maine, another who had served with Kennedy in the House and Senate, burst into tears when she was told the news while eating lunch. There was anger against the perpetrator of the killing as well as mourning and eulogy for the dead President. Sen. Richard B. Russell, DGa., leader of the Senate’s Southern bloc, called it “this dastardly crime.” He said: "The assassin’s bullet has stricken a brilliant and dedicated statesman at the very height Os his powers.” Rep. Hale Boggs, D-La., re--cahed that earlier this fall he had spoken in New Orleans trying to "calm the drums of hate against the President of the United States.” Bitterly, Boggs declared: "The radicals and the haters in politics and elsewhere have had their way. They are the ones who really pulled the trigger that killed a great American. • /But they shall not prevail?” - "Unspeakable Crime” House Republican Leader Charles A. Halleck, branded the assassination "an unspeakable crime against all the people of this country.” "The world should know,” he eulogized, "that in. this hour of stand together as One—shocked and grieved at this unbelievable news." Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, D-N.Y., said every federal and state effort should be made to punish the guilty. The Negro congressman also said that “all Americans who have any sanity, any chracter, any religious beliefs, irrespective of color,’ political creed or religion, should now rally around Lyndon Johnson to try to lift America back to the level of prestige

dential notnination for Johnson at national convention. 1957—Steered through passage of first civil rights bill in 75 years. 1958 — President Eisenhower invited Johnson to go before United Nations to throw his support behind the U.S. resolution calling for peaceful exploration of outer space. 1959—Texas Legislature passes so-called “Johnson for President” bill; a statute permitting him to have name on 1960 Tex-

Highlights In President's Life * WASHINGTON, (UPD - Highlights of President Kennedy’s ■“ J that has now been destroyed.” Rep-. James Roosevelt, DCalif., whose father was the last President to die while in office, said Kennedy would be remembered for “his . willingness to battle for what he thought was right—such as civil rights—his faith in democracy and his. desire to see it triumph.” Sen. Spessard L. Holland, DFla., also turned his thoughts to the new President. He said: "I am sure that the Congress... and all Americans will rally to the support of Lyndon Johnson as he assumes the lonely and heavy responsibilities of the presidency. May God grant him the wisdom and the strength to carry this awesome duty with courage and dignity.” Stirred With Revulsion Rep. Bruce Alger, D-Tex., whose district contains down- * town Dallas where the assassination occurred, had no immediate comment but later Said: "No words can express our deep sorrow in ■’this tragic hour. God alone can sustain us in our loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mrs. Kennedy and her children and to other members of the family.” t Pool.: D-Tex., remarked: "There is agony in the hearts of all people of our land? The agony’ in the hearts of the people is stirred with revulsion. An animal lives among us in hideous madness.” And Senate Democratic Whip Hilbert H. Humphrey, Mjnn., who contested the presidential primaries with Kennedy in 1960. said: “America has lost a great President. The world has lost a great leader. I have lost a good friend. What an incredible tragedy.”

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963

as ballot for re-election to Senate and for president at the same time. 1960 — Lost out in bid for presidency to Kennedy. Accepted vice presidential nomination and won re-election as senator from Texas and the vice presidential post. 1961— Resigned from U.S. Senate and took oath as vice president of United States. 1963—Became 36th President of United States when Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

career: - ‘” i ' “ May 29, 1917—Born in Brook line. Mass., the second of nine children of former . Ambassador Joseph '*P. Kennedy ‘ancTTlis/wLfe, "Rose. -—- 1940 — Graduated from Harvard cum laude with a bachelor of science degree. z 1940 — Published best selling book, "Why England Slept.” 1941-45 — Served in the U.S. Navy. Rose to rank of lieutenant in command of a PT boat. In 1943 was badly injured when his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer off the Solomon Islands. 1947-1953 — Served as a U.S. congressman from Massachusetts. 1952— Elected to the Senate, defeating Republican Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge. ■ i ■ 1953— Married Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island. 1954— Spent six months in hospital undergoing and convalescing from major surgery on a back injury aggravated by the sinking of his PT boat. 1956 —Won a Pulitzer Prize for his book “Profiles in Courage.” 1956— Narrowly missed winning the Democratic vice presidential nomination, losing in a -close contilt to the late Sen Estes Kefauver, D-Ten. 1957— Became the father of his first child, Caroline. 1958— Won reelection to the Senate by an overwhelming vote. 1960 — On July 14, he won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first L>allot. November he-defeated Vice President ftichard M. Nixon for the presidence in a closefough battle that gave Kennedy a final edge of scarcely 100,000 ballots. 1961— Became the father of a son, John Jr. 1961—1 n April took full responsibility for the ill-fated Cuban invasion staged by dissident exile groups. ” < 1932—1 n October forced Russia to withdraw missiles it had secreted in Cuba. 1963—Assassinated Nov. 22.