Evening star., 1935-09-11

With the record OF three Presidents
of the United States killed by assassina-
ton. the American people are filled with
traditional adherence of political muir
der. no matter what the incentive or
who the victim may be. Even though
his enemies were innumerable, no one IN
Washington condoneS the crime which
cost Huey Long his life. In branding
as "un- American" the spirit of vio-
Ience" in which it was committed, PreSl-
dent Roosevelt expressed the view
echoed through the Capital. The Louis
anan will be tremendously missed in the
Senate. The galleries particularly Will
deplore his disappearance. He had come
to be far and away the most magnetic
drawing card in Congress. Advance an
nouncement that he was to perform
meant standing room only. Senator
Long was unqueStionably the most
feared antagonist on either side OF the
aisle. Ruthless, resolute and resource
full. not many knew the tricks of the
parliamentary trade as well as he, and
he was seldom at loss how to turn
q rapid-fire situation to his own adVan-
tage. Because of his rough and tumble
skill. few members ventured to tangle
themselves with him. Robinson OF
Arkansas, Tydings of Maryland and
Glass of Virginia were always ready to
take Huey on, and he generally found
them more than match.
Long never gave an abler account OF
himself than at the Democratic Ma
tional Convention in Chicago, when he
overwhelmed the opposition to the seat
ing of his delegation. Armed with q
wealth of facts and arguments, he con-
Quoted his defense with the shrewdness
of a brilliant trial lawyer. When his
presentation was ended. the anti-Long
case was demolished. Remembering his
triumph on that occasion, more than
one Rooseveltian trembled at the pros
pect of the forked lightning Long might
throw through the 1896 convention.
Hated and feared as he was, political
friend and foe are agreed that in Huey'S
passing American public life loses one
of its most colorful and potent figures.
That he was growing in stature and
mass popularity was no longer denied.
Few believed that Long would nave
proved real peril to F. D. r. next year,
but that he would have been thorn in
the Democratic side was generally con-
ceded. On nearly all hands the view is
voiced that one of the principal menaces
to RooSevelts reelection has now been
removed
Trustees of the Edison Electric Insti-
tute. which represents the bulk Of the
power industry. planned to meet this
week and decide upon course OF action
with respect to the recently enacted pub
lie utility law. There are apparently
two schools of thought. Some author
tiles favor seeking such changes In the
law as will make it, from the utilities
standpoint, o more workable regulatory
measure. Others think relief will come
only through the courts holding that
the law is unconstitutional in its entirety.
To that end 1t Is understood that utility
lawyers are now making survey with
q view to discovering q situation within
the industry which would provide
clear cut court case.
Against Senator Borah's eligibility for
a presidential nomination, his record as
a prohibitionist is frequently urged.
Some of the Idahoan's supporters ad-
vance the theory that his dryneSS would
in fact be an asset in that section of
the country, the Midwest, which prom
ises to be the battle-ground next year.
TDesv,ite reyyeal thew riafA that H0rahs