, 1935-02-07
WASHINGTON
Nv Ira Bennett

ffuey Long, DOSS OF LOUISIANA. IL Is
not expected that Long viii delib-
erately invite federal interference
with his course, but his audacity
knows no bounds and it is surmised
in some quarters that he may pro-
woke a clash with Washington in the
hope OF making political capital with
states rights fanatics.
II would be a losing game.
The chances r strong that civil
disturbances in Louisiana would
bring about federal action. Long and
his enemies cannot indulge IN state
vide combat without running afoul
Of federal activities. such as trans
portation OF interstate commerce
and the mans. In that case Uncle
sam would brush aside both lighting
factions and keep federal operations
going.
FOrce-Wlth purely state quarrelS
the United STATES Is not concerned.
Long can call the legislature and
revise the state constitution without
interference from WaShlngton-un-
less he should attempt TO do away
with a republican form OF govern
ment. II violence in Louisiana should
become rampant to such an extent as
10 upset republican government the
United States could and would step
III to suppress disorder, nothwlth-
standing the provision which con-
templates thai such interference
shall not take place unless the legls-
lature or the governor shall apply
Tor help.
Several cases are IN the fedora.
courts IN Louisiana involving lnJunc-
lions against invasion OF constltu-
tional rights. II Long should pre-
sumo TO DEFY ana violate iederal
court orders he would be called u
account Immediately, by force II ne
ceSSary. Many presidents are found
for enforcement OF court orders BY
civil and military forces.
Mihtia-Interference by Longs
cohorts with election Of members OF
congress and senators might easily
bring about legislation by congress
providing for supervision Of elections
Congress a prescribe the times,
places and manner Of holding such
elections.
Control Of the National Guard OF
Louisiana is vested in the state au-
thoritieS. The militia Of each state
is organized and disciplined under
national law, but except in time Of
war the national government does
not exercise authority over II.
Mace-Bumptious governors occas-
ionally have tested out the extent TO
which they might defy the national
government. They soon discovered
that 1t was wise TO deSist. On the
other hand. the government has
avoided interference in state quar-
rels. however turbulent. so long as
federal laws, agencies and activities
were not disturbed.
With all Of Longs novel and ex-
traVagant outburstS 1t has been no.
ticed that he knows how to avoid
fatal encounters with superior pow
er. He goes far with the states poll
tical machinery. with a showing Of
popular support behind him. This
is very different from an encounter
with federal power. Long is not ig-
norant. He knows the law. His pow
or is confined 10 Louisiana and 10
state affairs. He knows that II he
should attack federal authority he
would suffer a knockout blow by the
iron mace Of federal power.
II Long should deliberately pro-
woke a clash with the federal gov
eminent for political reasons, 70
stir up instruction and revolution,
he would learn still lore.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the
Treasury Morgenthau's m%anipula-
ton OF our 50. 900, 000. 1000 currency
sterilization fund is one OF the
deepest, darkest secrets in all OF
Washington. This Is the fund used
TO keep the dollar on an even keel
in international exchange.
Reports and rumors will persist,
however. They are passed along
only as such. 1t is whispered among
those who profess mysteriously 70
somehow be in the know that we
have about a $500, 000, 900 profit 70
our credit.
II this is true II would be at the
expense OF England. The dope Is,
though. that this will ever up In the
course OF time and both sides will
come out about square. The dollar
and the pound seem to be unoffi-
cially stabilized within a variation
Of five cents.
Divorce Mariner Eccles. the
western banker who changed his
economic philosophy during the
height Of the depression and became
an ardent supporter Of New Deal
financial policies, is expected TO be
confirmed by the senate as govern
or Of the Federal Reserve Board,
Not, however. until Senator Carter
Glass. Of Va, father of the Federal
Reserve Act. has taken him for
what tho boys might sprightly call
a short buggy ride.
AS chairman OF the Sub-commit-
tee investigating Ecclcs' qualifica-
tons, the unreconstructed Virginien
Is takin his good. sweet time. He
saws he wants to 60 INTO the gov
errors possible interest in a hold
ing company which took over 81
banks after the 1888 bank holiday.
Eccles divorced himself from this
enterprise when he went on the
Federal Reserve Board, in accord
ance with law. but Glass will in
Quire into any possible interest Ec-
cles' brother may still be nursing.
Bankers generally are reported TO
be satisfied with Eccles' appoint