By Sam Baker, KERA 90.1 Local Morning Edition Host
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-560142.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Tom Craddick's recent battle to stay on as Texas House Speaker most likely added a chapter to a book in the works on the history of the office - one dating back to William Crump in 1846. The project began with a request from U-T Austin and the Speaker's office for adjunct history professor Michael Phillips to put together an oral history with former House speakers. He says the interviews gave an interesting look back at the 50s when the House Speakership began to evolve into a position of power and influence.