Evening star., 1934-11-18
Measures Aimed at Foes
to Insure Continued
Louisiana Control.
MINOR CITY JOBS PUT
UNDER DICTATOR'S RULE
Police and Fire Departments Con-
troll One of Acts Designed to
Curb New Orleans.
BY GEORGE HEALY. JR.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW ORLEANS, La, November II
Senator Huey P. Long apparently
doesn't know his own strength. in
Louisiana, but he's taking no unneces-
sary chances that it will diminish to
the danger point.
Having amended the States con-
stitution SIS times since he became
Governor in 1928, with most of the
amendments adding to the powers of
his State machine or providing
finances to oil its bearings, the self
styled ''Kingfish'' seems to have ac-
quired an Unsuitable desire to place
on the Louisiana statute books in
Vulnerable laws to fortify his political
position.
Two sessions Of the Louisiana Legis-
lature had been held this year before
the senior Senator surveyed his hold
1ngs Immediately after the election of
September 6. During the 6O-day reg
ular session which started in May the
Long Steam-roller pushed through sew
eral dozen bills designed to make
more potent the "Kingfish" politics.
Less than 80 days after the regular
session was adjourned the Senator,
through Gov. o. K. Allen, called the
lawmakers back to Baton Rouge to
enact laws which he announced would
hit his enemies and help his friends.
A Bills Quickly Received.
Six days ago the executive mill was
oiled again, the A bills bearing the
Long approval were prepared for hasty
adoption.
With minor exceptions, these bills
have one purpose-cementing Senator
Long to his perch as political boss Of
Louisiana. To quote the senior Sen
ator, when those bills become laws,
he'll have control Of every board and
commission in tie State except the
Red Cross and the Community Chest"
Under the guise of establishing civil
service, the Long machine proceeded
with the adoption of legislation
creating a commission, to be named
by the Governor, which would dictate
the qualifications for and conditions
of employment of all members of fire
and police departments in Louisiana
except those elected by the people.
This measure would give the Senator S
organization control of the two biggest
departments in the city of New Or
leans.
Missing no possible bets, the Senator
arranged for his organization to con-
troll even minor patronage matters
For many years the commission in
charge Of New Orleans Civil Courts
Building has been a city body, with
most of its members named by New
Orleans officials. The commissions
principal work is to employ custodians
and janitors to care for the courts
building.
With few minor jobs involved, the
Senator drafted legislation to transfer
control Of the Civil Courts Commits
sion from city government officials to
the Governor-his man.
AS in other States, many residents
OF Louisiana have debts. The voters
who owe money probably exceed the
voters who don't, and voters are i'm
portant in the Long plan. Accord
ingly. law has been prepared and
pushed through the Legislature giving
the State banking commissioner, an
appointee Of the Governor, authority
to approve two-year debt moratoriums
for debtors who place their cases be-
fore him. Opponents of the Long
machine say their cases, if any are
submitted, probably will be thrown out
OF the commissioner court.
The city of New Orleans, through
Its Commission Council, for years has
liked utility rates in the city and has
granted franchises. Under one of the
Long bills this authority would be
revoked and the power to fix rates
within the city would be given to the
Louisiana Public Service Commission,
which Longs political allies now con-
troll.
Senator Long Is scheduled to stand
Tor reelection in 1886, when State
officials also are to be selected. One
OF the bills offered at Baton Rouge
changes dates of the 1886 elections.
JACK Williamson, young Calcasieu
Parlsh legislator, charged Long to his
face that the law would save him a
campaign, and the Senator practically
admitted the allegation.
Il expect to work for nv friends
running for State Office in 1886, and
"Oh 1idfC W IIldke DuC one Crlp
to work for myself at the same time
he asserted, explaining that the law
he proposed would provide for State
and senatorial elections on the same
date. Formerly, State officials were
nominated in January and Senators
In November.
Absolute control of the New Or
leans Sewerage and Water Board,
which maintains the citys purifica-
tion plant and water and sewerage
systems, would be transferred to the
Governor by another of the Sena-
tors bills.
Because Of his enmity for the Loui-
siana State Bar Association, which
in 1888 expelled his attorney general,
Senator Long drafted legislation Gre
ating an official Louisiana State bar
and providing for the selection OF its
officers and rules.
The corrupt practices act adopted
curing the regular session this year
was TOO stringent in its requirements,
tne Senator asserted, so he directed
tnat a new law be drafted which
would be more liberal.
All A bills placed before the Legis-
iature during this weeks session are
scneouled to become effective within
So Gays after PRONUNCIATION. However,
by that time Senator Long may have
more legislation in mind which he
1ants on the Louisiana statute books.