The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-17

CEHUr CsIOlCCs leans Levee board, and Robert s. Maestri, chairman of the con- servation commission. Many are Of the opinion that the fight for control will be centralized in these two.
 Weiss future in the organiza- ton is doubtful. Those who know him best say. that he will wash his hands of politics now that Long is dead. Even his enemies admit his undying loyalty for the dead senator.
 Weiss was a political pawn. A shoe clerk, he rose with Long to a position of hotel manager and comparative financial security as a result of politics.
 He is at present under indict- ment for violation of income tax law and would much prefer to trade a clean bill of health for retirement from politics.
 Maestri, alone of the original Long leaders, has always been Independently wealthy. Through out the whole income tax invest gation in the state, his skirts have remained clean. He Is said to be in politics to satisfy his own per- sOnal whims and to protect his vast real estate holdings in New Orleans from r-assessment. MONEY BACKED KINGFISH
 Maestri's money was one of the Long empire and was said to have been the most persuasive factor in saving Long from removal from office after he was impeached as governor of Louisiana by the House of Representatives.
 Maestri, it is said, is the only one of the Long henchmen who dared question Longs policy
 The third man who stands in a position to take the helm is Gov. 0. K. Allen, in whom are really vested the dictatorial powers of the state. However, there are few who believe that Allen even as- pires to command.
 It is an open secret that Allen has lasted so long only because Senator Long demanded 1t. Dur ing his governorship, Allen has be- come wealthy through money re- ceived on oil leases in which he holds a partnership. The gover- nor's wife is opposed to her hus- band remaining in public office and her opposition to Senator Long and his tactics were open scandal in Baton Rouge.
 It may be that Allen will resign the governorship in favor of Lieut.. Gov. James A. Noe and in turn be named United States senator to succeed to the vacancy created by the assassination of Long. TEST COMES IN JANUARY
 The approaching gubernatorjal and senatorial campaigns in Jan- uary bring about the greatest bone of contention for control in the ranks of the Long organiza- tion. Whoever Allen or the ma chine supports will have the power of the Long dictatorial laws behind him. The entire election machinery is. in control of the Long organization.
 Before his death, Senator Long announced that he favored Noe as the successor to Allen. Those familiar with Longs political stra- tegy did not place much faith in this public announcement.
 In 1892 Long indicated that he was in favor of John B. Fournet for governor, buS in reality was using Fournet only as a smoke screen. His first choice was John IT. Overton and his second choice Allen. When Overton expressed a preference for the senatorial toga, Allen was named as Long's candidate.
 Noe, a wealthy oil operator in the Monroe fields when he became interested with Long in politics, will not give up his gubernatorial aspirations without fight. He probably has more personal friends 0 -Is A..