Typed Letter Signed

This Slovakian immigrant was elected a Democratic representative to Congress from Chicago in 1907, and on April 1, 1934 became the "Dean of the House" (longest-serving member), a post he held for 18 years, 7 months and 5 days -- the longest anyone has held that post. TLS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Washington, DC, 1939 August 5. Addressed to Gerald Salters. Near fine. On "House of Representatives U.S." letterhead, Sabath as chairman of the Committee on Rules attempts to appease an angry constituent regarding "the 30 day furlough of W.P.A. workers.... we have done all in our power to eliminate the lay-off provision but due to the solid Republican vote combined with 30 or 40 Democrats who are opposed to President Roosevelt's policies and the Administration our efforts were in vain. Nevertheless I shall continue my fight for the elimination of the provision...." Although the Committee on Rules that Sabath chaired from 1937 on was powerful, he was considered a weak leader who squabbled with the House leadership and failed to effectively steer the committee -- thus it's not surprising that New Deal programs of which he was a strong supporter suffered setbacks such as this under his committee. Accompanied by an outstanding original 6½" X 8½" glossy black and white news agency 1947 photograph, an amusing closeup showing the cigar-clutching octogenarian puckering up to blow out the single large candle on an 81st birthday cake. Near fin -- a sharp, high quality image. The original mimeographed newsprint caption is still present, and reads in part: "Representative Adolph Sabath... is about to blow out the single candle that adorned his birthcake as he celebrated his 81st anniversary yesterday. Re. Sabath, who is now in his 41st year as a member of the House of Representatives, came to the U.S. 65 years ago from Czechoslovakia as a poor immigrant boy...." An interesting letter and a highly desirable vintage photograph.