Evening star., 1935-09-10
BY HUDSON GRUNEWALD.

The same group of friends who
gathered nightly in lobby corner at
the Broadmoor Apartments. where
Senator Huey P. Long lived while in
Washington. and who were frequently
entertained by him when ne returned
home at the days close Of Congress
last night huddled near the hotels ra-
dio until a late hour listening to news
bulletins which told of his fast-ebbing
life.
Senator Long had humorously dub
bed this group. made up entirely ol
guests of the Broadmoor, the amer
corner" and early yesterday evening
they had sent telegram of hope anc
cheer, addressed to the hospital al
Baton Rouge, and signed with the
name he himself had given them.
The Senator was we'll likeC by guests
and employees at the Broadmoor anC
during the two years he lived there
he had made many friends.
Greeted Even Strangers.
He greeted every one with a loud
"Hello," from Colored bellboy to man
ager, and even guests who were total
strangers to him recall his jesting SAL
utationS in passing. The Louisiana
Senator seemed to relax the minute
he entered the doors of his hotel. He
felt that he was among friends there
But despite this recognized fact by all
who knew him. his ever-vigilant body
guards never left him for a second
They had their appointed posts in the
lobby. and when the Senator would
stop for the brief chats which often
developed into lengthy sessions, they
took their places with military pre-
cision and kept watchful eye on all
around him.
Senator Long always had an audi
ence, and he was ever aware of it. He
was habitually clowning and telling
jokes.
Lobby guests were always warned OF
his approach by the sudden appear
ance of one or more of his guards,
who would step into the front entrance
and make quick survey of the scene
Then after their signal of approval
the Senator would come in with a
guard close behind him. He would
toss his hat behind him to be caught
by his shadow" When he wore a
top coat this would follow the same
way.
Joins "Amen Corner"
He would first 60 to the desk for
his mail, open several letters and toss
the envelopes on the floor. Then,
turning, he'd ask in a loud voice:
'How's the amen corner tonight?"
This was usually followed by his
Joining the group. He would read ex-
cerpts from the days newspapers
about himself. And would often pass
out copies of the Congressional Rec
ord containing his speeches while
Celebrating upon them,
AS one guest expressed it: THE
Senator was always a good show"
He had his favorites among the
guests, and these with a few chosen
callers from the outside he would re-
ceive in his apartment on the seventh
floor
One of the last of the Broadmoor
house guests to call upon him before
his final departure was Buck Newsom,
the Washington pitcher. There
wasn't anything Huey didn't know
about base ball." he said, when COM
menting upon this visit. And how
he loved his Southern League. Gomez
by the way, was special pal of his,
and his favorite pitcher"
Senator Reynolds Visitor.
Among his frequent callers from
the outside was Senator Bob Reynolds
of North Carolina. Arthur Brisbane
visited him recently, and many out-of-
town writer's who came to Washington
to see him were received by him "at
home"
But there were many callers who
never got to see him. Many sought
his aid, some wanted jobs, others
money, and these would be inter-
viewed by his guards, one or more Of
whom were always to be found down
stairs" and told to go to his Office in
the Senate Office Building.
Some, however, were lucky. One
III paTIlCuldT. his was aDDlly
dressed man who sat and waited fol
the Senator in the lobby for three full
days. Finally, when Senator Long
appeared, the man approached him
and, as the "Kingfish guard" closed
In upon him, the Louisiana Senator
gave him one look. then drew a $40
bill from his pocket and handed II
to him. You want a job, don't you?'
Huey Long asked. We'll, come tc
my office and I'll fix you up"
Generous With Tips.
The Senator was generous with tips
according to the colored bell boys oi
the Broadmoor. But he never
handed them out himself" one said
''His guards did that"
These guards knew their duties well
and carried them out to the letter
They never left Senator Long alont
for a second at the Broadmoor. They
slept with him. ate with him anc
dogged his footsteps The three whs