Background
Robert Rich was born on June 23, 1883 in Woolrich, Pennsylvania, the son of Michael Bond Rich, a businessman, and Ida Shaw.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Robert Rich
Edit ProfileEducation
After attending local public schools, he graduated from Mercersburg (Pennsylvania) Academy in 1902. From 1903 to 1905 he studied at Pennsylvania's Williamsport Commercial College and Dickinson College but did not graduate.
Career
In 1896, Rich began working summers at Woolrich Woolen Mills, the family business. He became a partner in the company in 1906 and its general manager by 1930 and thus carried on a family involvement begun by his great-grandfather John Rich, who founded the company in 1830. Rich also managed businesses in neighboring communities, including the State Bank of Avis, which he founded in 1910, and the Chatham Water Company, which his father started.
Rich entered the political arena when he became a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1924.
In 1930 the governor of Pennsylvania appointed him to complete the term of the late Edgar H. Kiess of the Sixteenth Congressional District, including Clinton and Lycoming counties, where Rich lived and conducted business. This district was predominantly Republican and rural. Rich was elected from this district for the next six congresses. Throughout this period, he generally carried district elections by substantial margins. Few in Congress opposed the New Deal as consistently and vociferously as Rich. He alone among House Republicans voted against extending the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1935.
On another occasion, he proposed an amendment to cut appropriations for the Tennessee Valley Authority to two cents. He also called for the eradication of such New Deal agencies as the National Labor Relations Board, the Rural Electrification Administration, the Public Works Administration, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. "Where are you going to get the money?" Rich often asked in Congress. Besides objecting to deficit spending, he opposed the "excessive" power of the Roosevelt administration, which he believed threatened constitutional government.
Throughout the 1930's his constituency, for the most part, viewed him as one who responded conscientiously to individual requests, stayed close to the district, and sought to use the private sector to promote employment. At the same time, Woolrich Woolen Mills survived by reducing its labor force and wages.
After the outbreak of World War II, Rich again challenged Roosevelt. Rich was an archisolationist, opposing the American defense buildup and foreign assistance, including the increase of the army to 2 million men in 1941 and the Lend-Lease Act of 1941.
He spent the 1943-1944 period outside of Congress, however, following a redistricting fight. After his reelection in 1944, he fought President Harry Truman's foreign-policy initiatives, including the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine. He just as strongly opposed Truman's domestic reform commitments. His anti-Democratic bias and emphasis on economy in government also caused him to vote against granting a $5, 000 pension to Roosevelt's widow in 1946 and an increase in Truman's salary in 1949.
In 1951, Rich retired from Congress.
After retiring from Congress, Rich served as treasurer, general manager, and president of Woolrich Woolen Mills. He was chariman of the board from 1964 to 1966; by then the company had expanded and modernized operations. Besides specializing in woolen cloth, it manufactured other fabrics. Its sportswear and outerwear went to retail establishments nationwide.
In 1966, Woolrich Woolen Mills had annual sales of $8, 325, 000 and 650 employees. Rich also served as president of the board of Lycoming College and a trustee of Dickinson College. Both institutions benefited from his financial contributions. Rich died in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
Achievements
-
In Congress, Rich was known for strong convictions and conscientious service on the Rules, Appropriations, Government Operations, and other committees. Rich was no orator and sponsored little legislation. He focused his greatest attention on trying to reduce the the cost of government. That single-minded concern put him out of step with the times as the federal government sought to overcome the problems of economic recovery and the threat of totalitarianism abroad.
Politics
Like most conservatives, Rich put his faith in the doctrines of individual initiative and free enterprise. His solution to the Great Depression was to return to Republican policies of the past. Rich was more willing to use the federal government in responding to his district's needs. He fought for the funding of the West Branch Dam at Lock Haven, the fish hatchery at Lamar, and other projects.
Connections
On June 10, 1910, he married Julia Trump; they had four children. His wife died in 1951, and on July 12, 1956, Rich married Pattie Holmes Wideman.
-
Born
-
Died
April 28, 1968 (aged 84) -
Nationality
American -
Political Party
Republican