David A. Reed: Pennsylvania Senator & New Deal Critic
David A. Reed, a Pennsylvania native who rose to prominence in the U.S. Senate in the 1920s and 30s, was described by admirers as “a higher type of statesman.” His career was marked by both political success and contentious battles, ultimately ending with his departure from elective office in 1934.
Early Life and Career
Born into a well-to-do family – his father was a successful lawyer and federal judge – Reed received a strong education, attending Princeton University and the University of Pittsburgh Law School. He began practicing law in 1903. He served in the field artillery during World War I, achieving the rank of major before returning to his law practice.
Entry into the Senate
Reed entered the Senate in 1922, initially appointed to fill a vacancy created by the death of William E. Crow, who himself had been appointed following the death of Senator Philander Knox in 1921. He subsequently won a full six-year term, becoming one of the youngest members of the Senate at age 42 and the second veteran of the First World War to be seated.
Defending Mellon and Navigating Political Conflict
Throughout the 1920s, Reed frequently defended Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon against criticism, particularly regarding Mellon’s financial interests in the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), which had a plant in Tennessee. He stated that Mellon owned less than 16 ½% of ALCOA’s stock, including nonvoting shares, and that his brother, Richard Mellon, owned a similar amount, totaling less than 33% ownership between them.
Reed’s defense of Mellon earned him the nickname “Mellon’s man Friday” from Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi. He also engaged in heated exchanges with Senator James A. Reed of Missouri during a filibuster, reading election returns to hold the floor while a committee investigated alleged illegal expenditures in the 1926 elections.
Challenges and Defeat
Pennsylvania politics were characterized by powerful “big-city bosses,” and Reed navigated this landscape while facing challenges to his reelection. He fought to protect the seat of William S. Vare, though ultimately the Senate denied Vare a seat. By 1934, Reed had become a vocal critic of President Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, a position that contributed to his defeat in the Senate election that year.
He was defeated by Joseph F. Guffey, who successfully aligned himself with Roosevelt and the New Deal platform. James A. Farley, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, predicted Reed’s defeat would be permanent.
Later Years and Retirement
Following his defeat, Reed sought a hunting licence and planned a trip to Europe. He considered running for the Senate again but was discouraged by Joseph Pew, the GOP boss in Pennsylvania, due to his evolving views on the New Deal. Reed remained active in Republican circles and continued his law practice until his death in 1953.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was David A. Reed’s profession before entering politics?
David A. Reed was a lawyer, having earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh Law School and beginning his practice in 1903.
Who were some of Reed’s prominent contemporaries in Pennsylvania politics?
Some of Reed’s contemporaries included Governor William Sproul, Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, Senator George W. Pepper, and political bosses William S. Vare and Gifford Pinchot.
What was the outcome of the 1934 Senate election in Pennsylvania?
David A. Reed was defeated by Joseph F. Guffey, a Democrat who campaigned on a platform supporting President Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal.
Given the shifting political tides of the 1930s, could Senator Reed have maintained his seat by adapting his political stance, or was his defeat inevitable?