Evening star., 1934-08-23
YOUTH LINES Up
TO SUPPORT LONG
Only One of Younger Legis-
Iators Votes as Con-
science Dictates.
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, August 23-To
any one with illusions about the
clear-eyed honesty, decency and in
dependence of youth in public
affairs an experience in the Louis
lana Legislature down in the Univer-
sity City of Baton Rouge would be
very depressing Youth in the Louis
lana Legislature is precocious in all
the tricks Of the elder statesmen who
have organized themselves under
Huey Long.
There are not many youths in the
Legislature, but of their number only
one belongs to the opposition, and
that one could hardly be called an
active force. He is boy of %, named
John Williamson, known inevitably
in the newspaper phrase as the baby
of the House His father was killed
in action in France and it was
pretty gesture of his constituents to
send him to the Legislature as soon
as he was old enough. The boy has
solemn face, a deep voice and
mind much superior to the average of
his colleagues. which is faint praise
at that.
Makes Just One Speech.
But he made just one speech, and
that one in a manner to suggest that
he was merely showing off, when you
might have expected a youth so for
tunately placed to rip and tear and
raise particular hell throughout the
session. Still, he didn't 60 along with
the conspiracy and he did have too
much pride and conscience to look to
Der Kingflsh for instructions when
button on his desk and cast his votes.
But that was the total score for
youth on the side of decency. 1t just
prevented a complete shutout.
An idealist might have been shocked
to see young statesman named
James Horton on the dictator's side
as the House of Representatives voted
to hire voters at $5 dollars each,
abolish many of the civil rights Of
the people and authorize a secret
police force to kill and main Huey
Longs political opponents subject to
Huey Longs approval. Mr.. Horton
played foot ball at Centenary Col
lege. He is thick-necked, weighs more
than 200 pounds and is inclined to
swagger. His contribution to the de-
liberations of the statesmen was a
bellicose roar that he wasn't no
- - henchman, followed by a
threat to punch a smaller man on
the nose. Some youths come out of
college no better than they enter.
Speaker Also Young.
There was one member of the
youngish type, always on his feet,
babbling indistinct thoughts in a
weak, indistinct voice. He was on
Huey's side and his gaze constantly
followed the dictator around the hall
to catch signals.
Allen Ellender, the Speaker of the
House, is one of the younger states
men, though not exactly youth. He
is about IS. Still, II he had been on
the opposition side the youth move
ment could have been encouraged
for his appearance Is boyish and his
talent Is about the best in the Legis-
lature. However, Mr.. Ellender was
merely representing Huey Long.
The dictator had a foot ball player
among his strong-arm squad and the
nominal Governor of the State, o. X.
Allen, was attended by another for
mer college athlete, ostensibly his sec
retary. Here was youth, the bright,
athletic college type. serving as coat
holder to politician.
When Huey wants to sit in the
Governors private Office he Shoes Mr..
Allen out. Mr.. Allen isn't even al
lowed to speak If Huey say shut up"
You momentarily expect Huey to yell,
oscar, shine my shoes" and to see
the Governor go to his knees and get
busy with his rags and brushes.
(Copyright, 1934)