The Nation: Sweet Bird of Youth

Anyone who ever bothered to think of it, including the authoritative Biographical Directory of the American Congress and perhaps his own mother, believed that South Carolina Representative John McMillan was 73 years old—born April 12, 1898, near Mullins, S.C. But McMillan came under criticism last January from liberals who claimed, among other things, that he was too old to be chairman of the House District of Columbia Committee. Now, in the just-published Congressional Directory, McMillan has miraculously shed four years. His birth date is listed as April 5, 1902. "I don't know his age," claims an assistant. "Make him anything...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!