University of Virginia Library

'Watchdog of Treasury'

"I hope that Lyndon will be able to manage
that crowd, but frankly, I have my doubts. I
think that there are too many of them, and
when they begin to feel their oats, Said, lock
the gate, because the money will really start
going out."

Well-known for his lifelong struggle for
economy in government spending. Sen. Byrd in
1923 led the fight in the Virginia Senate against
a proposed $50 million bond issue for highway
construction.

In Washington, Sen. Byrd fought but
remained friendly with a host of presidents and
congressional leaders, and, as chairman of the
Senate Finance Committee from the
Eisenhower administration until his retirement
in 1965, earned the reputation of "watchdog of
the federal treasury." He died in 1966.