Eugene Siler, a life revisited (part 5)

Entering into the year 1957, Congressman Eugene Siler, of Williamsburg, continued to establish a track record of being a strong advocate for the people of his district from his seat in the United States House of Representatives.

On January 10, 1957, a story titled “Congressman Siler seeking to lure papermakers to this area” appeared in the Whitley Republican.

“Representative Eugene Siler has launched a one-man campaign to attract pulp-and-paper manufacturers into his Southeastern Kentucky district,” the story said. “Siler has pointed out the advantages of the area in a letter to executives of wood-using firms throughout the country.”

Later that month, Siler spearheaded efforts to establish a “self-aid” program in the Eighth District. “While all of us would gladly accept any cooperation or aid that might be available from the government, I believe that, basically, we must try to help ourselves,” he said of the idea behind the program. “We must seek to persuade, with mighty efforts, private industries to come to our cities and use our natural resources and surplus labor.”

Siler suggested that counties arrange for professional surveying to be done of land conditions and available resources, offering $25 to each county in the district if they wished to begin raising funds for such studies to be conducted.

In February of 1957, Siler seized an opportunity to invite representatives of an aluminum company to come and visit his home district. The company had been looking at the possibility of locating a facility in Jefferson County, but when concerns of some in the Anchorage community cast doubt on that possibility, the Eighth District representative was quick to make a play on behalf of the people in Southeastern Kentucky.

“If Anchorage residents don’t want that proposed big Reynolds Metals Company in their neighborhood, Southeastern Kentuckians would be glad to take it off their hands,” read a report in the February 21, 1957 Republican. “In fact, the Eighth Congressional District is chomping at the bit for a Reynolds planet, Representative Siler telegraphed company officials today.”

Siler was quoted directly in the story, saying, “We will get out the brass bands and roll out the red carpet when you come into our part of the country.”

“You will find us a friendly, cooperative, and ready to go fishing with you in one of our recreation spots in your times of leisure,” Siler also added.

In March, Siler shifted his focus onto one of the area’s most important industries – the railroad. “Rep. Eugene Siler last week addressed the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company on the subject of utilizing its facilities in the Corbin yard and shops for repair of diesel engines,” read a report in the March 7, 1957 Republican.

In a letter written by Siler to L&N officials, he was quoted as saying, “Having read in the paper about the statement that has just been made by the Illinois Central Railroad to the effect that it is utilizing its Paducah steam-locomotive shops for repairing diesel engines, I am wondering why your company cannot do the same thing at its facilities in Corbin, Kentucky. All of the people living in-and-around Corbin, including myself, are tremendously interested in the possibility that your company might use its multi-million-dollar investment and established facilities at Corbin to conduct a full-scale diesel repair shop.”

Siler continues in his letter, saying, “Your company has always been a part of Corbin, and has built up a tremendous good will among the people of Corbin and all of us would welcome the opportunity to cooperate with you in any possible way towards re-establishing your shops in Corbin.”

“It seems to me that, since you already have your investment in Corbin, many skilled workers living there, it would be a matter of economy and sound management if you would activate your shops in Corbin and use them for full-scale repair work on your diesel equipment.”

Siler’s intelligent means of persuasion are on full display with this letter to L&N, and regardless of his level of success with any given endeavor to bring industry to his district, the fact that he was seemingly always on the lookout for golden opportunities says a lot about his genuineness in seeking public office to begin with. Here was a man who didn’t simply offer lip service to the idea of trying to help his constituents, but was actively cheerleading for them whenever and wherever he could.

That being said, it should come as no surprise to learn that his bid for re-election to Congress the following year was an overwhelming success. More on that in next month’s installment.

Reminder – After his political career came to an end, Eugene Siler continued to serve the people of Whitley County, using a newspaper column that he titled “Head or Tales” to keep the local citizenry informed of various important topics. He would also often discuss historical matters, offer thoughts on recent events, and more.

To learn how you can read many of these Head or Tales columns for yourself, contact the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society at (606) 549-7089.