The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-22
NEW ORLEANS SN!ATCHED
FROM H[JEY'S HANDS BY
US. FUNDS, MORAL AID
Anti-Long City Officials,
Ready to Resign,
Are Saved.
KINGFISH'S PALS IRATE'
Workers, Unpaid for Two
Months Due to New
Laws, Get Cash.
(Copyright. 1885. BY United Press

NEW ORLEANS, La, June
22.-The Federal government
interviewed with funds and
moral support today to pre-
vent the New Orleans NUM-
cipal government from fall
ing into the hands of Senator
Huey P. Long, vocal and in
domitable enemy Of the
Roosevelt Administration.
The Federal Emergency Relief
Administration advanced funds that
assured continued operation of 10
vital municipal services. Observers
generally agreed that had the Fed
eral funds not been forthcoming, the
old regular political organization
would have been forced to sur
render within a few days to Long, it's
implacable foe.
Garbage collectors went on strike
] W dOChlliu~
late throughout the city. Because
of the blockade the ng-controlled
Legislature had established around
the municipal treasury, they, to-
gether with all other city employees,
had not been paid in two months.
Long Henchmen Enraged
In any city this would have been
serious, but in New Orleans, with its
summer climate, it was doubly so.
The citizenry was as greatly alarmed
as the old regular officials waiting
helplesSly in city hall for something
to develop. Then came the order
from Frank H. Peterman, state di-
rector of FERA, now in Washington.
to prepare their pay rolls so that
his organization could meet them.
Members of the Long political
machine, which is in virtually abb
Solute political control of all Louisi-
ana except New Orleans, we're en-
ragged. For months, Long, using
the militia and laws passed at his
dictation by the Legislature, had.
tried to force the resignation of
Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley and
other officials elected with him.
The municipal fire and police de-
partments had been transferred to
Long control by virtue of new laws.
The city's tax collections had been
all but completely stopped by laws
that transferred assessment powers
to state boards appointed by Gov.
0. K. Allen, a Long subordinate.
Unpaid for Two Months
While number of city depart
mentS, in addition to police and fire.
men, had been taken from old regu-
lar control, their employees still are
paid from the municipal treasury,
and, because of the political war,
they have missed all paydays for
two months.
Mr.. Peterman once was a mem
Der of the Long machine, but later
became one of Longs bitterest enc
mics. He was appointed to his Fed
eral post over Longs bitter opposi-
ton. From Washington Mr.. Pc
terman sent this telegram to his
Office here:
In view of the great menace to
public health and safety now exist
ing and the destitute condition Of
the workers involved, I have, at the
request of various civic and labor
organizations of the city established
a project to handle certain func-
tons essential to the public well
! fare"
Pestilence Is Feared
The situation was increasingly
critical before Mr.. Peterman's tele-
gram was made public, sending the
garbage collectors back to work The
weather was hot. City Hall was be-
Sieged with complaints of terrify-
ing stenches around public markets.
Loaded garbage trucks had been
parked at curbs, abandoned by their
drivers. Market men vera throwing
debris in the cutters.
Mayor Walmsley warned of Sc.
rious outbreak of pestilence. DR..
j. A. O'Hara, head of the State
Board of Health and follower Of
Long, admitted the likelihood Of
acute trouble" but said he would
do nothing except keep watch
Rumors circulated that business
leaders and private citizens had adj
vised Mayor Wamsley and his asso-
ciates to give in to Long and re-
sign. Then came Mr.. Peterman'S
telegram from Washington.