The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-06
BIG ARTILLERY
BOOMS IN WAR
ON HUEY LONG
Open Warfare, Sizzling and
Personal, Declared
by New Deal.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON, March 6.-Open-
ing warfare, sizzling and personal
was on today between the Admins
tration and Senator Huey Lcng upon
orders of President Roosevelt.
1t will crackle and rage from now
until 1886, when the Louisiana
"Kingfsh" threatens to become q
factor in the presidential election.
Senate Democratic leaders, obvi-
ously at White House signal, final
" picked up the noisy challenge
which Huey has tossed about for
weeks, attacking President Roosevelt
at will and seeking to rally radical
forces against his program.
The opening salvo fired by the
bulky majority leader, Joseph T
Robinson, yesterday in a spectacu-
lar and tense session when he called
his colleague a mailman" seemed
to forecast that the first move would
be to prevent the investigation OF
Postmaster General Farley which
Long is seeking.
Long Refuses Request
The Postoffice Committee, whose
request for the names of his wit
neses Long has thus far ignored,
was scheduled to make its decision
today, and indications pointed to a
vote against an inquiry.
TIL Al f~fr~
confused for few days, has closed
its ranks about Mr.. Farley and ap-
pears prepared to fight Longs drive
on this front and on all others.
The silent treatment came to an
end abruptly and dramatically when
Senator Robinson rose in his place
after another attack by Long and
delivered a speech that for personal
bitterness has seldom been equaled
in the Senate.
He said Long was ignorant, ego
tistical and arrogant, and he called
upon the Senate to assert its IMAM
hood" This provoked Long to re-
ply. and all business was Shunted
aside as Senators and packed gal
leries Toasted on a debate that
reached personal depths very I'M
usual 10 the Senate.
johnson Stirs Kingfish
For the show the galleries had
an outsider, former Administra-
ton official, to thank. 1t was Gen.
Hugh Johnson's biting speech
against Mr.. Long and Father
Coughlin that provoked the Louisi-
ana Senator.
But it was the President himself,
according to authoritative sources,
who gave the word to turn the guns
on Huey. The final straw for Mr..
Roosevelts patience was the Sena-
tors story that Mr.. Farley had re-
signed and that Gov. Gen. Frank
Murphy of the Philippines was to
succeed him.
There followed the rapid sequence
Of events which eliminated in the
tongue flashing by Senator Robinson.
First was Mr.. Farley's denial of all
the Long charges. A few hours later
followed the speech of Gen. john
son which was read gleefully and
avidly by Administration leaders.
The general had provided the punch
which others could not supply. Long,
in his reply, centered his attack On
Bernard M. Baruch, the generals
former boss, without attempting to
answer Mr.. Johnson's singing
phrases.
Senator Robinson's speech, which
made Senators and galleryites catch
their breath at times, had uni
flying effect. First to shake his hand
was Vice President John Vance
Garner. who is advising in the anti
Huey campaign. Other Democratic
Senators hurried to the front to
clasp their leaders hand.