Evening star., 1936-07-26
W..P.A. D|SM|SSALS
LAID TO POLITICS
Effort to Aid MarIand Is
Charged-Key's Failure to
"Step Down" Criticized.
Ry the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 25.-
Joseph r. Cannon. resigning w. P. A.
investigator for Texas and Oklahoma,
criticized w. S. Key, Oklahoma w.
P. A. chief. here tonight for failing
to step down" during an inquiry
into w. P. A. political activities
which led to the dismissal of seven
employees.
As charges Of misuse of Federal
agencies were renewed by the camps
of Representative Josh Lee and Gov.
e. w. Marland, New Deal advocates
battling for the Democratic sena-
torial nomination, the w. P A. at
Washington announced it would con-
titnue its investigation
ut is difficult to believe Key could
be ignorant of the action of his SUI
bordinates in behalf of political candi-
dates" Cannon said in a state
ment
Reason for Resignation.
II have resigned because could not
longer refrain from commenting on
political activities of certain individ-
uals in this State who have violated
the obligation of their positions"
In announcing dismissal of the seven
employees Aubrey Williams deputy w.
P. A. administrator, said at Washing
ton he was confident Key had done his
best to prevent political activity among
administrative officials.
Key could not be reached for state
ment.
Lee, at Muskogee. today charged:
This investigation has all the ear
marks Of a Governor in
quiry, timed to break just before the
second primary election" Lee, former
university public speaking professor,
said heatedly.
Other DismissaIs Hinted.
The dropping of the seven. some Of
them accused of being politically active
in Lees behalf, was followed today
by word from Washington that there
might be other dismiSsals.
Lee pressed whirlwind campaign
which called for series of last minute
speeches, but Marland had little more
on schedule than a conference in
Tulsa Monday. Both are New Deal
advocates.
George McElroy. Lees campaign di-
rector, said Lee could not be held re-
sponsible "if some W. P. A. workers
have been overzealous in his behalf"
and countered with the charge that
Marland's forces had employed ruth
less methods in driving State employees
to campaign for the Governor"
Led Marland and Smith.
Lee finished ahead of Marland and
Conner Smith, national vice presiden1
Of the Townsend old-age pen
sion plan, in the first primary.
Reports from a source close to
Smith, that he was ready to announce
support for Marland added interest
to the address Smith is scheduled to
make tomorrow.
Howard B. Drake, Marlands CAM
paign manager, said Il have every
confidence that the W. P. A. head
quarters in Washington are sincere in
their attempt to keep politics out of
the w. P. A. organization"
He asserted the votes of those on
W. P. A. rolls should not be bar
tered and sold as was attempted in
Oklahoma on July T." the date of
the first primary, which saw the elimi-
nation of the incumbent Senator,
Blind Thomas P Gore.
Governor in Fight.
TDABEL. Okla. July 25 P.-A
brief physical encounter between
George S. Long. Tulsa. brother of
the late Senator Huey P. Long, and
former Gov Jack Walton, grow
ing out of an argument over a po-
litical speech, was halted by a crowd
which had gathered to hear the
speakers here this afternoon.
Long had just concluded a speech
in behalf of Representative Josh Lee,
candidate for the Democratic sena-
torial nomination, when Walton, pre-
pairing to make a speech for Gov.
E. w. Marland, Lees opponent
in next Tuesdays run-off primary,
approached him.
Witnesses said Long entered his
automobile. Walton attempted to pull
him out and Long struck Walton be-
fore several men held them apart.
Lottery concessions to a local COM
DanV have been reDealnd hv lav in