Evening star., 1935-03-10
BY OWEN L. SCOTT.

substituted in the battle Of passions
now unloosed across the land. Fine
points of political Marquis of Queens
bury rules can be forgotten and po-
litical jungle law observed.
The outcome? Nobody, just now,
knows what it will be.
No quarter is to be given and none
asked in the fight taking shape. Bit
terness of recent radio addresses and
the high anger that fiared in the
United States Senate are symptoms OF
what Is ahead. Politicians are con-
vinced that the tone of the struggle
for power, TO be waged from now until
November. 1886, is going to be set by
Senator Huey p. Long. louisiana S
"Kingfish," and Father Coughlin, De-
troit's radio priest.
II true, that means an appeal to
passions of a type not witnessed In
this country since pre-Civil War days.
Such an appeal. with radio as a
weapon. opens possibilities OF political
strife never before witnessed.
Until recently, New Dealers con-
sidered Father Coughlin their friend.
He had access to the White House.
Prominent officials asked his ADVICE.
He came to the aid Of many of Mr..
Roosevelt's policies. His radio voice
was accepted as a New Deal weapon.
Every encouragement was gwen 70
him.
But then he began to press farther
toward monetary imitation, through
silver, than the New Deal leaders
wanted. To check that move, oficials
revealed the names Of big owners OF
silver. Father Coughlin's organiza-
ton was one Of the largest. He was
left in a position OF standing to gam
financially through a policy urged by
himself over the radio.
Since that time a coolness has been
apparent between the Detroit priest
and the White House. That coolness
a week ago flared into open oppoS-
ton. 1t was accompanied by an ap-
parent tie-up between Father Coughlin
and Huey Long.
Senator Long also started out as a
friend of the President. He was one
of those who went down the line for
Mr.. Roosevelt in the 1882 Democratic
National Convention. His support
was important in winning the NOM
ination for the present White House
occupant.
But when Senator Long began
acting up" in Louisiana. Federal
patronage was withheld from him.
Friends of the "Kingfish" were denied
jobs. At first the Senator blamed
Genial Jim" Farley, Postmaster Gen.
eral and dispenser Of New Deal jobs.
Then, when he considered the time
ripe. he struck out over the radio at
Mr.. Roosevelt.
The "KingfiSh" is a dangerous op-
ponent. Rules of the game mean
nothing to him. Senatorial cour-
tesy," supposed to govern conduct in
that exclusive club, goes out the win
dow when Huey comes in. He has a
long memory. Also, he has had in
vestigations made that give him
background" on every member OF
the Senate. Let any one cross Mr..
Long. and if there are skeletons in
the closet of his personal or political
life, they quickly are brought out for
the Nation to see.
When Senator Long took to the
warpath, political strategistS of the
New Deal decided to give him the
silent treatment" His remarks went
unnoticed by his colleagues. He was
Stunned and ignored. When the
same sort of treatment was tried on
Senator Robert M. La Toilette back
in World War days. it grievously
wounded him.
But not the Louisiana "Kingfish." !"
The more he was snubbed, the louder
he talked. Radio time was bludgeoned
out of the broadcaSting companies.
The attack on Postmaster General
Farley began to attract attention.
Huey had become a real thorn in the
side of the New Deal.
** +
Recently officials of high rank have
been considering how best to meet
the challenges made by Senator Long
and by Father Coughlin.
They considered another freSlde
chat or two by President Roosevelt.
But the President could not get down
to personalities or engage in the
verbal hand-to-hand fighting OF the
kind that seemed to be necessary.
Scanning the whole New Deal, there
appeared to be no personality capable
of the job. Donald Richberg is fire.
quent talker, but his finely turned
phrases often cause dizziness In the
mind of a Philadelphia lawyer, II that
lawyer is entrusted with the task OF
discovering their true meaning. Sen
ator Joseph Robinson, Democratic
floor leader and Long opponent, Is a
good talker, but not one to arouse the
populace. One after another Of the
New Dealers was considered and found
wanting.
Gen. Hugh Samuel johnson then