Evening star., 1940-01-11
Louisiana Candidate
Uses Convict Parade
To Combat Long
Men in Stripes on FIoots
PIocurded With Names of
Administration Politicians

By the Associated Press.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 11.-James
H. Morrison, youngest Of three gu
bernatorial candidates hoping to
destroy the old Huey P. Long die
tatorship, brought his convict pa
rade" to New orleans today as a
scandal-infested campaign neared a
close.
Louisianas Democratic primary
Tuesday will decide whether Gov.
Earl K. Long, brother of Huey, will
continue the decade-old Long dy-
nasty or release the administration
power to one of the reform" can
didates.
Mr.. Morrison said that mutterings
"some people might make trouble
would not keep the procession OF Is
floats from Canal street.
Coercion Charged.
Last week group Of French
Quarter merchants petitioned the
Mayor to forbid the parade because
it would leave an undesirable I'M
preston" on tourists. Mr.. morrison
said the merchants were coerced.
Figures on the floats, farmers OF
his native FLORIDA parishes IN
Southeast Louisiana, wear convict
uniforms. They are placarded with
the names of administration poll
ticians, indicted and unindicted, and
amuse onlookers with such antics
as cracking rocks and gazing
through cell bars.
Reports spread that the peace
officer strength of New Orleans was
bolstered, but officials denied these
rumors. Mr.. Morrison's adherents
said 10000 of his followers from the
country would be on hand and II
any disturbance started they would
finish It,"
Strong in Strawberry Belt.
The 31-year- r-old attorneys
stanchest supporters are the true
ulent farmers Of the strawberry belt,
where he organized a union to IN
crease berry prices.
These men of the FLORIDA par
tshes." whose forefathers once
stormed and captured Baton Rouge
to overthrow Spanish rule ana SET
up briefly their own Republic OF
Florida" have long been noted for
their willingness to fight. The late
Huey Long. himself, never cam
paipned in the more remote Sec
tionS.
Mr.. Morrison, strangely enough, Is
more like Huey Long in his political
showmanship than any OF the other
candidates. His collegiate law
school aping of Huey put him In the
notion Of a public career.
Senator Ellender, who is not a
candidate, has become the storm
center Of the campaign.
The Senator objected yesterday to
what he termed an attempt by 0.
John Rogge. Assistant United States
Attorney General in charge OF the
Louisiana scandal investigation, ITO
intimidate" Louisiana citizens.
Senator "Astounded."
He said he was "astounded" to
learn Mr.. Rogge had appealed for
information of any contemplated
fraud in the coming primary.
II do not think the Federal Gov
ernment should anticipate that an
election will be stolen," he said at
his home in Houma.
The gubernatorial candidates op-
posing Gov. Long, who has Senator
BLENDERS support, quickly shifted
their attack to the Senator.
Senator Burke, Democrat, OF Ne
braska said yesterday in Washington
that protests against nomination to
the Supreme Court of Attorney
General Frank Murphy had been
filed with the Senate Judiciary
Committee, and mentioned a COM
munication from Senator Ellender.
Senator Ellender explained, how
ever, that he did not oppose Mr..
Murphy's nomination. He said his
communication only was meant to
inform the Attorney General of
what Rogge was doing.
Mr.. Rogge, just back from Wash
ington to direct more grand jury
Investigations, commented:
Il act only in the line of duty, in
accordance with the dictates of my
conscience and will not do other