Robert L. Bacon | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bacon, 1923–1938 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – September 12, 1938 | |
| Preceded by | Frederick C. Hicks |
| Succeeded by | Leonard W. Hall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1884-07-23)July 23, 1884 |
| Died | September 12, 1938(1938-09-12) (aged 54) Lake Success, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Virginia Murray Bacon |
| Parent | Robert Bacon |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Harvard Law School |
| Profession | Politician,banker,lawyer,military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyU.S. Officers' Reserve Corps |
| Rank | Major Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Distinguished Service Medal |
Robert Low Bacon (July 23, 1884 – September 12, 1938) was an American politician, a banker and military officer. He served as a congressman fromNew York from 1923 until his death in 1938. He is known as one of the authors of theDavis–Bacon Act of 1931, which regulates wages for employees on federal projects.
Born inJamaica Plain, Massachusetts, the son of Martha Waldron Cowdin and futureSecretary of StateRobert Bacon, he received a common school education as a child. He went on to graduate fromHarvard University in 1907 and fromHarvard Law School in 1910.
After graduation, Bacon was employed at theUnited States Treasury Department, where he worked until 1911.[1] He moved toOld Westbury, New York, to engage inbanking inNew York City.
Bacon attended the business men's training camp at Plattsburgh in 1915, and served on the Texas border with theNew York National Guard in 1916 at the Texas border.[1] DuringWorld War I, he served with the Field Artillery, United States Army from April 24, 1917, to January 2, 1919.[1] He attained the rank ofmajor and was awarded theDistinguished Service Medal. Commissioned in the United States Officers' Reserve Corps with the rank oflieutenant colonel in 1919, he was promoted tocolonel in January 1923 and served until his death.[2]
Bacon was a delegate to theRepublican National Convention inChicago, Illinois, in 1920. In 1922, afterFrederick C. Hicks declined to seek another term, Bacon stepped into the race. His opponent was fellow Long Islander, S.A. Warner Baltazzi, whom he defeated in the fall. He entered Congress as a “wet”, someone who did not supportprohibition[3][4] while still continuing his military career in the Officers' Reserve Corps during his years in theHouse of Representatives.[5]
He faced no significant opposition over his career with the1932 election possibly being his greatest challenge. That year, he facedCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney another wealthy member of Long Island society in a race that pitted Bacon against the landslide victory ofFranklin D. Roosevelt. Both men belonged to many of the same private clubs and the race became bitter, with Bacon prevailing.[6]
Bacon's longest lasting political achievement may be theDavis–Bacon Act of 1931 which remain in force, with amendments. Bacon introduced similar legislation for many years and succeeded in securing passage after workings on depression-era federal spending projects found that jobs were going to cheaper workers from other areas.[7]
Bacon was a supporter of the repeal of prohibition and introduced a proposal to amend the18th amendment to allow states to regulate alcohol.[8] This amendment failed; but prohibition was ultimately repealed in 1933.
He became engaged to Cecilia May in 1911, but they never married.[9] He married Virginia Murray on April 14, 1913.[10]
Bacon's brother,Gaspar G. Bacon was thePresident of the Massachusetts Senate from 1929 to 1932 andLieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1933 to 1935. His nephew was the actorGaspar G. Bacon Jr. better known as David Bacon.
Bacon died of aheart attack near the State Police barracks inLake Success, New York, while on his way home from a speaking engagement in New York City on September 12, 1938, at the age of 54.[11]
He isinterred atArlington National Cemetery.[12]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 1st congressional district March 4, 1923 – September 12, 1938 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
