Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-08

the picture will shape up.
This much is clear, however:
James M. Pendergast, heir to the
machine built by his uncle. has lost
control of Kansas City's Northside,
where Old Tom held control for
many years.
In last Tuesdays primary, Charles
Binaggio. with the aid Of two
smaller factions. ran up large mar
gins for Mr.. Binaggio's candidates
in five North-end wards.
+. In Louisiana, the political machine
built by the late Huey Long, killed
in 1885 in an assassination in the
State House building, held on to
it's power until 1910.
1t was then that the Louisiana
scandals" broke into the open and a
number of high political figures
were under indictment.
Gov. Richard Leche, subsequently
convicted on a Federal mail fraud
charge. had resigned-and Hueys
brother, Earl, had advanced from
lieutent governor to Governor.
Earl ran for Governor In 1910 but
lost to Sam H. Jones, backed by
reform" forces.
Earl Long Back in Office.
The reform" group remained in
power in Louisiana until this year
when Earl Long, again running
against Mr.. Jones. wse kfted Gov
eTnor. p@ssas ~ Saaessasaea
The resurgent Long faction now
is undergoing a test in. the sena-
torial and congressional campaigns
especially in the Senate race where
Russell Long, Huey's son and a
nephew of Earl. is running against
Judge Robert S. Kenpan.
In New Oriears nufd regular
Democratic organizations was well
entrenched until Huey Long ap-
peared on the State scene.
The old regulars alternately CO.
operated with and opposed Long
until he took them over in 1884
through a patronage and financial
squeeze on the city and installed
Robert S. Maestri, Long lieuten-
ant, as Mayor of New Orleans and
head of the old regulars.
Mr.. Maestri remained in office
until 1916 when he was defeated
by de Lesseps S. Morrison, a young
veteran, who was backed by much
the same group that backed Mr.
Jones. His term runs until 1850
The regulars and the Long organ
ization in the city split during the
last gubernatorial campaign, and
the regulars took bad beating
The regulars now again are work.
ing with the Long forces.
Philadelphia Machine Powerful.
In Pennsylvania, Philadelphia S
Republican machine is perhaps the
Nations most unobtrusive and yet
most powerful city group.
It has been in power since the
Civil War and never has come close
to defeat.
Unlike most machines, it is not
based on one man or one group of
men. It continues to function well,
geared at all times.
The Philadelphia organization is
not tagged with the name of a
leader nor with that of group like
'Tammany Hall"
As a matter of fact. Philadelphia's
Republican machine has no name at
all. When one group of leaders re-
tired or dies out, 1t Is succeeded by
another group.
Philadelphians would find 1t we'll
nigh impossible to trace the his
tory of the machine, but no Demo-
srat has been in power in Philadel-
phia since the Civil War.
Sheriff Austin Meehan, who Is
allied with Gov. James H. Duff
is the political leader. The city
administration is 100 per cent Re-
publican.
David Harris was deposed this
wear after Is years as COP city
chairman, but he was succeeded b.
William Meade, another Meehar
man.
/ Interest in Tax Probe.
! Current political excitement II
Philadelphia is over a tax investlga'
ton. Last year, when city employees
asked for a salary increase, MAY OF
Bernard Samuel appointed com
mittee of IS, made up Of civic ant