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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Well, he finally did have a talk with Hatton Sumners and said he thought it would be a good idea for me to appear. But, of course, as Wagner pointed out to me, men in the House of Representatives don't like Senators advising them about how they should conduct their affairs.

I finally went to Will Bankhead, who was the Speaker of the House then. Bankhead of course absolutely agreed with Hatton Sumners. There was another Southern gentleman, Evade the issue if possible. So I really had very little help there.

I finally insisted that Wagner go over and see Sumners. I said, “After all, you're my Senator. I think it's proper to put it on personal grounds. You've known me a long time. Also, you know I won't make a fool of myself. That I know is inherent in Hatton Sumners' inclination and Bankhead's inclination not to have me appear before the Committee. They don't think a lady can do it and get away with it. They think a lady will make a fool of herself, will expose her weakness and will come out in a weaker position than she went in. I'm sure that's inherent in their objection. If I were a man and wanted to appear, I think they would have facilitated it.”

I'm sure that this was one of the times when being





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