Evening star., 1935-09-15
WALMSLEY SEES
> LOUISIANA UPSET
Enemy of Long, in Capital,
Predicts Reputation
in Primaries.
by 7. A. O'LEARY.

Victory for the anti-Long political
forces in Louisiana in the forthcoming
State primaries was predicted here
last night by Mayor T. Semmes
walmsley of New Orleans, one OF the
leading opponents Of the late Senator
Huey P. Long.
Aughting from a plane at Wash
ington Airport yesterday evening the
Mayor emphasized, however, that the
only purpose of his visit here is to
find out the status Of relief-work
progress allotments for his city. IN
view of a law passed recently by the
Legislature, which the Mayor feared
might interfere with Federal emer-
gency expenditures in the State.
I'VE think we were going to win
the elections in January whether
Huey had lived or not" was the
Mayors comment, when asked about
the political outlook in the State. He
insisted, however. in response to the
queries of newspaper men, that his
visit here is not for the purpose Of
conferring with any administration
leaders about the approaching politi-
cal campaign in Louisiana.
Questions Governors Power.
The Mayor injected a new issue into
the Louisiana political situation by
raising a question as to the power OF
the Governor to name any one to NIL
Longs seat in the Senate pending an
election.
IT think there Is serious question
of the right of the Governor to ap-
point a Senator, because In this case
the vacancy is for more than year"
Walmsley said. Long was elected to
the Senate in 1880 and his term
would not have expired until 1887.
The primaries for Senator, mem
bers Of the House Of Representatives.
Governor and for State offices will
take place in Louisiana during the
coming January. however, and Walms-
lev said there will be a complete
anti-Long slate in the field.
Sees United Front.
Asked If he thought the anti-Long
groups would be able to agree and
present united front, Walmsley an
swered: IT don't think there is any
question about It,"
In response to questions as to who
he thought would be nominated for
the Senate by those opposed to the
Long regime, the mayor said he
would not like to make the an
nouncement Of candidate, but
added, "it will not be me-"
Questioned about the possibility OF
opposing political factions adjusting
their differences, the mayor indicated
he did not believe there is any basis
for reports to that effect. He said
As laws that have been enacted by
the Legislature would have to be re-
pealed before he would consider that
question.
It was one Of the most recent acts
of the State Legislature, Walmsley
said, which brought him to Washing
ton yesterday. He described 1t as q
measure which would make 1t a
felony for any Federal offcer to
spend any funds not provided for by
the power conferred on the Federal
Government in article 10 Of the Con-
stftution.
Allen Signs Bill
Walmsley said the bill passed the
State Legislature the day after Long
died. He said he wrote to Gov. Allen,
asking him to veto it, but that the
bill was signed.
while I do not think it is good
law" the mayor continued, II do not
know what view Federal officials VIII
take"
If the Federal Government should
conclude it is valid law. the mayor
said, he thought it would have the
effect of stopping the new works
progress program and that it also
probably would affect other expendi-
lures such as A. A. A. He said New
Orleans has applications under con-
sideration for about $60,000000 of
Works Progress Administration allot-
snents and that he is concerned about
the welfare of the $4,000 families on
relief in that city.
: Commenting briefly on the death
OF Senator Long, Walmsley said he
did not think there was any plot con-
nected with the shooting
= The mayor said he hoped to return
to New Orleans by Monday, If pos
sible.