Washington, D.C. Friday, July 26, 1935
Dear Bess:
This is turnip day and, I think, Nellie Nolands birthday. You are supposed to sow turnips today. There's no place for me to do it except in the court of the Senate Office Bldg and Garner probably would object.
Six new white collar attached shirts came from Eddie's factory today or yesterday I don't know which. I just saw them. They have that new collar on them. I should keep clean now anyway. I'm going to get a couple of white suits while the sale is on and then I can run until fall. I shouldn't have to buy any more clothes until 1941.
I went to dinner with Johnnie and Harry over at their boarding house last night and it was a very good dinner and just about enough to eat. Went home and went to bed at 8:30 read all the papers and was up at 5:45 as usual.
The Senate convenes at eleven o'clock today to consider the Banking Bill. Senator Nye of North Dakota spoke for four hours after he'd introduced Father Coughlin's bill as an amendment. The priest's campaign manager and the president of the American Bankers Association sat side by side in the gallery. Neither of course knew who the other was. Most of us thought Coughlin wrote Nye's speech. Nye is one of the good-looking, egotistical boys who play to the gallery all the time. He's had the limelight on the munitions investigation for six months and he never comes to the Senate except to make a speech or introduce a bill to abolish the army and navy or to get more money for more investigation and more publicity. Several so-called people's friends in the Senate would be in a hell of a fix if there were not some good old work horses here who really cause the Senate to function. I can't pay much on Nye, LaFollett, Black of Alabama, and that brand. Wheeler and Bankhead of Alabama are workers. Wheeler isn't as radical as he's painted and I like him. Glass is a worker. So is Adams of Colorado, Harrison, Robinson, and one or two others. Robinson's gone high hat but he's a good worker nevertheless. On the Republican side, McNary, Shipstead, Hale and White, both from Maine, and the ex-prize fighter from New Jersey, Barbour, are the best workers. There isn't a so-called progressive who does anything but talk. Your letter just came. Glad you had a good time at Thelma's. There's rumor that August 15 is the day. I hope it is. Wrote Frank this A.M. about the mill. Kiss Margey.
Love to you, Harry