 Any day now -- if it has not happened already -- visitor No. 700 million will be enjoying the incomparable Blue Ridge Parkway, opened in 1939. And it's most appropriate and timely this time of year to pay tribute to the man almost solely responsible for the most popular parkway in the United States (it had 22 million visitors last year).
He was ''Farmer Bob'' Doughton, also known as ''Uncle Bob,'' who was the Democratic member of Congress from the 9th District from 1911 to 1953. If that isn't the longest period in history for a North Carolina member of Congress to serve, I'll stand corrected.
From 1933 to 1947, he was the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, acquiring the well-deserved nickname ''Muley Bob.'' With his legendarily stubborn determination and leadership skills, he was not only influential in promoting the building of the colorful 469-mile parkway. He also might have been instrumental in getting Social Security passed in 1935.
Uncle Bob Doughton was the political patriarch of his region for 42 years. I interviewed him on Sept. 12, 1954. He died Oct. 1 of that year. He is buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church, which he loved and supported generously.
I remember that at one point during the interview, he said, ''Retirement is the hardest job I've ever had.'' Three weeks later, he died in his sleep at home at age 90. I treasure the last picture taken of him.
I'm glad that his home is now a bed and breakfast, owned and operated by Eddie and Pam Hall. For sentimental reasons, when we stayed there my wife and I asked for Room 3, the Doughton bedroom. There are no special mementoes in the room, but the living room downstairs has priceless pictures significant to amateur historians such as I.
President Roosevelt signing Social Security Act of 1935. Also shown, left to right:
Rep. Robert Doughton (D-NC); Sen. Robert Wagner (D-NY); Rep. John Dingell, Sr. (D-MI); Unknown man in bowtie; Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins; Senator Pat Harrison (D-MS); Congressman David L. Lewis (D-MD). Photo courtesy Library of Congress. |
Standing well over six feet, Doughton naturally is prominent in pictures with Presidents Roosevelt and Truman signing bills. Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins also stands out as the first woman Cabinet member in U.S. history. I believe the picture with Franklin Roosevelt shows Roosevelt signing the Social Security bill.
One story still making the rounds in Alleghany County is that FDR was one vote short on an important bill on one occasion. Uncle Bob agreed to provide the deciding committee vote if Roosevelt would support construction of the parkway. It provided jobs in the Great Depression for hundreds of mountain people who desperately needed them, mostly through the Civilian Conservation Corps. I can envision the handshake that sealed the agreement. That was all that was needed in those days.
This, in my opinion, was our greatest congressman from North Carolina at work with our greatest president.
Grant is the editor emeritus of The Biblical Recorder. This article first ran in the Nov. 11, 2000, Winston-Salem Journal and is reprinted here with the permission of the author.
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