Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-24
BATTLE WITH LONG
REMOVES GARSAUD
Term Of Power Commissioner
Expires. as Senator De-
lays Hearing. ~

The feud between Senator Huey Long
and Col Marcel Garsaud of the Federal
Power Commission dating back to the
time when Long, as Governor, was en-
gagged in bitter struggle for his politi-
cal life in Louisiana, and cost Garsaud
another. job, has had repercussion
here that for the present has the effect
Of removing Garsaud from the Power
Commission. 1t developed today.
Commissioner Garsaud's term expired
Wednesday night. and hearing on hts
reappointment, to which Long objects,
has ben held up by the Louisiana SEN
ator's absence from the Capital. As
result 0arsaud is of the pay roll. and
faces the prospect-if a recess appoint
ment becomes necesgary-of working
six months or more without drawing
any salary. Meanwhile. he also is pre-
vented from participating officially in
any Of the commissions deliberations.
and cannot vote on any matter coming
before that body. @
1t is the second time that Garsaud
has figured in q nix-up in the COM
mission, having been involved in the
celebrated Russell-King removal. which
brought about custer proceedings by
the Senate against Chairman George
Otis Smith This was recently decided
in Smiths favor by the United States
Supreme Court.
Long Requested Hearing.
President Hoover reappointed Col.
Garsaud on May 20 for a five-year
term. The appointment was referred
to the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee and Long asked for hear
ing. which, in accordance with custom,
was granted by Chairman Couzens.
Long left the city, however, to at
tend to some interests in the Louisiana
Legislature and the matter dragged
along until the middle Of this month.
when the COMMITTEES informed Long d
hearing would be held on june, 20 for
the purpose Of obtaining his views.
Long came here at that time, bat
the Committee meeting was delayed
because members were tied up with
the emergency financial program IN
the Senate, so, after unleashing an az
tack on the, floor on Garsat,d, aScnatcr
Long left that night for the Chicago
convention and the hearing was on
again
Until the Senate takes some action
on the nomination, or adjcurns. and
thus paves the way for possible recess
appointment Garssud Is out. Is he gets
recess appointment he will serve
without pay until the Senate passes ON
his case at the December session, and
then. should he fall of confirmation, 1t
would require a special act Of Congfess
to pay his salary for the intervening
months. =
Feud Began In 1928.
The feud between the two Louisianians
had It's inception in 1928, when Long
assumed the governorship, while Gar
saud was general manager of the board
Of commissioners of the port of New
Orleans. more commonly known as the
Dock. Board. Z Garsaud had been ap-
pointed by q commission named In the
regime Of Gov. Henry Fuqua, and when
within o year Long had put a majority
OF his own appointees on the flve-man
board. they voted Garsaud out
Long has charged In the Senate that
administrative acts by Garsaud on the
dock board favored the power interests
and has ascribed his opposition to this
fact. He opposed Garsaud's appoint
ment at the outset,
The power commissioner, an engineer
who has thus far has had no public say
In the case, has told friends that Longs
charges are without foundation; that
he has never directly or indirectly been
1dentined with the power industry. and
has said that the break with Long came
about because OF hts unwillingness to
acquiesce in a matter involving the
handling Of certain insurance contracts
Has Blocked Another.
Long has tied up another appoint
ment IN the Senate In like manner, that
OF Ernest Burguieres of New Orleans
to be commissioner of immigration
After the Senate had first confirmed
Col. Garsaud two years ago. the. return
OF his nomination by the White House,
along with that of Chairman Smith
and Commissioner Claude L. Draper.
was sought by the Senate, because these
three commissioners, in a reorganiza-
ton plan, dropped Solicitor Charles A.
Russell and Chief Accountant William
v. KING. who was later re-employed
When the President refused. the Sen
ate voted ON the three again anyway,
confirming" Garssud and Draper anew,
but declaring Smith out. His right to
ONCE, however. was upheld Draper
has since been confirmed by the Senate
for a hve-year term.