, 1935-01-04
WASHINGTON
BY George Durno

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federal government Is about to leap
on Emperor Huey Long for alleged
income tax evaSions.
AS printed In this column last
October, federal authorities had
hoped to bring their long investi-
CATION TO an end IN December. More
than a dozen trained sleuths OF the
Bureau OF Internal Revenue have
been delving into the Kingfish's
financial operations for months but
In December they were able TO COM
plete only the Semi-final phase of
their Investigations procurement
OF a grand jury indictment against
Seymour Weiss, reputed to be un-
official treasurer for the Long pol
itical machine.
No n knows what goes on in a
grand jury room except the Jurors
and witnesses but officials hold
prospects to be good for an early in
dictment of Senator Long.
Juries-Governor o. X. Allen, who
lends his initials readily TO every
thing Long thinks up. likewise is
expected 10 become 4 victim Of the
Treasury's zeal in ferreting out sus-
pected tax discrepancies.
The Kingfish has been expecting
the blow for some time and has
publicly commented on 1t. He has
indicated his defense will be a
countercharge Of administration
observation-disclosures the inquiry
into his affairs was begun under
former President Hoover when Og-
den Mills was Secretary OF the
Treasury.
Huey,S last hand-run special ses-
sion OF the Louisiana Legislature put
the states petit jury system we'll In
his hands. This development has not
been ignored by official Washing
ton.
Private-Deep was the grief OF
many Washington social climbers
this holiday season Just past. The
Roosevelt sons put a firm foot down
and picked their own list Of guests
for their annual Christmas New
Years party at the White House.
Last year political considerations
were said TO have been given some
attention in sending the invitations
out. As a result the party was crowd
ed with many who had no particu-
lar right TO be there.
This year the system was alto
gether different. All the young
people on hand for the festivities
were there because Franklin, Jr.,
and John wanted them.
Crashers - Washington probably
has more social phonies to the square
mile than any other city In the
country They resort to every inge-
NOUS dodge and a~rtifice known TO
get themselves invited places. the
White House. Of course, topping
the list. They drop cards. pull poll
itical wires. run themselves dizzy
attending official at-homes Of goV-
eminent officers wives and poster
the society editors of the local
papers 10 distraction.
"A fairly well-known Washington
banker "a not above calling one Of
the younger New Deal officials a
few days before the junior RooSe-
veltS' party. He knew this official
was on fairly personal terms with
the Presidential family. Would ID
be possible to get the bankers son
an invitation? The answer was ID
would NOT. AS a matter OF fact.
the young official hadn't been in
vited himself.
Impoverished women OF good
personal social rating are keeping
the wolf from the door by guiding
lots Of climbers through the towns
Salons-at SO much per tour. ''Deb-
utantes" are quoted currently at a
dime a dozen. Financially minded
mamas bring their daughters here
from all over the country and pre-
sent them to society" from some
hotel suite. Whether they find II a
happy hunting ground is UP to the
wileS and pulchritude OF daughter.
Berth-Fred "A. Britten has plenty
Of potatoes so the loss of $1,000
congressional salary after 20 years
OF service won't worry him.
But Fred wants TO continue TO
live in his beautiful house on
swanky Sheridan Circle and con-
tinue TO toss those swell Christmas
morning cocktail parties for the
Speaker Of the House and the two
floor leaders. He has an eye on
the republican vacancies on the Re-
construction Finance Corporation
and the Federal Trade Commission.
Either would suit him to a tee.
The jovial Chicago ex-CongresS-
man. who was amateur lightweight
boxing champ In his youth. made
many friends here In the course Of
two decades. ii wouldn't be az all
surprising II he made the grade.
Those who have been attending the
Xmas parties for years hope - in
any event.
Units-It has been automatic in
Washington for "A long time that
| Senator Henrik ShipStead OF Mimi,
lone Farmer-Laborite In the upper
house. caucused each year in a te-
lephone booth.
Now the big problems are Bob
LaFollette. Of Wise. and Hiram
johnson Of Calf. LaFollette dis
carded his republican label to be-
come a progressive. Johnson had
the support OF the democrats, re-
publicanS. progressives and the
Commonwealth party.
Prospects are bright that all three
will continue TO ignore all caucus
rulings and vote their own convic-
tons.
Honesty-John Hughes Curtis.
| Norfolk shipbuilder, Is back on the
Lindbergh limelight with his offer
TO identify Hauptmann as the man
who showed him the ransom money.
BrunoS arrest cast a different
light on Curtis. who at first was
branded a hoaxer when Baby Lind
bergh,s body was found. Now II
should be told that Curtis never
tried TO sell a gold brick to a major
press association, and In the form
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