The Path to Power (66 page)

Sam Rayburn

Vice President John Garner presents an historic gavel to “The Boss of the Little Congress”

Maury Maverick and FDR in San Antonio. Johnson helped the fiery radical in his election to Congress in 1934.

On Congress Avenue: Johnson, back in Austin as State Director of the National Youth Administration, with Willard Deason. The Littlefield Building, at right, housed the offices of the NYA and of Alvin J. Wirtz.

Director Johnson inspecting an NYA project

The Chief with Sherman Birdwell, who as a boy had obediently followed Johnson and as a man continued to imitate his speech and his stance

NYA officers Willard Deason (left) and Jesse Kellam

Sam Ealy Johnson and his sons, Christmas, 1936

Alvin J. (“Senator”) Wirtz, whom Lady Bird Johnson called “The Captain of My Ship, Any Day”

Charles Marsh

Opposite:
Suave George Brown and his fierce brother Herman

The first campaign, 1937: Johnson with a group of supporters