12

AT GOVERNOR'S CONVENTION

Representative Clinton Sayes, Avoyelles, took the witness, before he left the stand.

“ Were you at the Govenor’s convention in New Orleans?”

“I attended the reception in the Supreme Court Chamber and the banquet at the Roosevelt.”

“Were you at the parties referred to by Mr. Weiss”

“I was not.”

HULA DANCER TESTIFIES

Whwn Mr. Danzinger was excused Helen Clifford, Professional Entertainer, took the witness stand. Representative Perrault, Opened the examination.

“What do you specialize in?”

“The Hula Dance.”

“Where are you employed now?”

“I am not working.”

“Where were you employed lately?”

“I was dancing at Jack Sheehan’s”

“Describe the costume you wore when you danced at the party attended by the Govemor Long.”

“I wore a straw skirt. I was bare except around my chest.”

“How long were you on the floor dancing?”

“Ten or fifteen minutes.&rdquo

“Did you see anyone drinking?”

DRINKING HIGHBALLS

“Yes, They were drinking highballs.”

“Were you offered drinks?”

“Yes. The waiter offered me some drinks. I didn't take it.”

“Could you tell that the guests had been drinking when they arrived?”

“Yes. Thay drank more after they arrived, too. Every one was drinking.”

“Did you see Governor Long?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see him drinking?”

“Yes.”

“Was the Governor gay or moody?”

GOVERNOR “VERY FRISKY”

“He was quiet at first. Later he got very frisky.”

“What evidence of friskyness did he show?”

“He sang with a glass in his hand and danced by himself”

“Did he spend most of his time dancing?”

“No He spent most of his time on the settee with a woman.”

“He kept playing with the woman’s hair.”

“Were you presented to the Governor?”

“Yes. When we first got in the studio Mr. Danziger asked if we knew

13

library ' University of Texas Austin

him. One girl said “it was Huey Long, because he had a dimple in his cheek, I saw Governor Long before in Luling.”

LONG "HAD PLENTY"

“Did you hear any one address the Governor?”

“Yes. I heard the woman on the settee call “Come here, Huey.”

“Did the Governor appear to be what we call “Lit up?”

“He had plenty.”

“Did you hear him say anything to the woman on the settee?”

“I heard him say that he was feeling good enough to go and do what he had to do.”

“Did you dance particularly for Huey P. Long?”

“Yes. A man asked me to dance in front of the Governor.”

“Did the Governor comment about this?”

“He didn't say anything.”

GIRL TIPPED OFF RAID

“Do you know whether the purpose to raid was made known to any other entertainer at the studio?”

“I heard that one of the girls found out about it and telephoned too late.”

“Did she say why she telephoned?”

“She said she just wanted to call.”

“Did she later learn that this girl had a “Sweetie” working at Jack Sheehan’s?”

“That’s what Mr. Durning told me.”

“When you were dancing in front of the Governor, did he do anything?”

PULLED GIRL ON LAP

“He pulled me on his lap.”

“How long were you on his lap?”

“Just a few minutes.”

“Did he push you off?”

“I got off when I was through with my song.”

Representative J. E. McClanahan questioned the dancer;

“Were you working at the time of this party?”

“I was filling dates made by Al Durning for entertainment.”

“Since the party you testified you have worked for Jack Sheehan? Were you on Sheehan’s payroll?”

“Certainly. It was arranged before the party for me to start work at Jack Sheehan’s April 15th.

TELLS OF AFFIDAVIT

“To whom did you make an affidavit in this matter?”

“To Mr. Daly in his office.”

“Who prevailed on you to make the affidavit?”

“A newspaper man asked me to make the affidavit. He said he worked for the Item.”

504988

14

“Didn't Sheehan talk to you about the affidavit? ”

“No. He didn’t know anything about it.”

“Who asked you to dance in front of the Governor?”

“I don’t know. I didn&rsquot know anyone at the party except Governor Long. ”

“Did you hesitate about sitting on the Governor’s lap?”

“Yes. The Governor pulled me.”

“Did you get up voluntarily or were you pushed?”

“He pushed me once and pulled me back.”

GOVERNOR EMBRACED GIRL

“While you were on his lap, could you get up?”

“He had his arm around my neck.”

“It is not unusual for you to sit in men&rsquos laps, is it?”

“No ”

”Was the govenor’s lap the first man’s lap you ever sat in?”

”No, I am married." The answer brought much laughter.

“How long did you live with your husband?”

“Three years”.

“Are you living with him now?”

“No. We have been separated two months.”

“Did he say anything to you about sitting in the Governor’s lap?”

“No. It wasn't about that.”

“Did you tell him about it?”

“Yes.”

“What did he do or say?”

“What could he do? It was not my fault.”

“Didn’t he get mad about you sitting in men’s laps?”

“No. We did not separate about that.”

“Did he leave you or did you leave him?”

“I left him.”

SAYES’ OBJECTION UPHELD

Representative Sayes objected to the line of question. His objection was sustained. Representative Perrault also voiced an objection, declaring that “the lady’s status has been fixed by her own frank testimony.”

Representative McClanahan continued his interrogation;

“Where did you meet the man who told you he represented the Item?”

“In Fuerst and Kraemers in New Orleans.”

“Were you introduced?”

“Yes. My sister-in-law introduced us.” He started to talk about Longh. I told him I knew the Governor. When he learned that I was at the studio party he asked me to make an affidavit.”

NO INDUCEMENT OFFERED

“Was any inducement or any employment offered you?”

“No.”

“Did you tell anyone you would get employment for signing the affidavit?”

&lduqo;I did not. That isn’t true.”

“What did Governor Long say while you were on his lap?”

“He couldn’t talk, I was singing.”

“Were you singing a lullaby especially for the Governor?”

“I don’t remember what I was singing. I was singing for everyone there.”

Representative Sidney Marchand, Ascension, questioned the witness; “Where was Mr. Danziger when you were on the Governor’s lap?”

“He was in the room.”

“Have any of your near relatives been to Donaldsonville lately?”

“Not that I know of.”

WOMEN MADE MOST NOISE

Representative Lester Lautenschlaeger, New Orleans, questioned Miss Clifford;

“Where were you when the others were entertained?”

“Behind stage.”

“Did any one else go behind stage?”

“The waiter was the only one I saw besides the entertainers.”

“Were guests at the party making much noise?”

“The women were talking more than the men.”

“When did you hear the Governor tell the lady he was feeling good enough to do what he had to do?”

“While I was dancing the Hula.”

“There was nothing in your affidavit about your being pulled back by the Governor, was there?”

“No.”

“Did you meet the Item reporter accidentally?”

“Yes.”

“Did any other girls hear what the Governor said and later discuss it?”

DOESN'T KNOW THOMAS

“I don't remember talking about it with the other girls.”

Representative Raoul Sere, New Orleans, took the witness; “Were you ever an entertainer at Tranchina’s?”

“No.”

“Do you know a Mr. Thomas?”

“No.”

“Who introduced you to Mr. Thomas?”

“I don't know Mr. Thomas.”

“Where have you been employed for the past three months?”

“I haven't been working lately.”

“Does your husband support you?”

“Yes.”

“Does he support you under a Court order?”

“There is no order of Court.”

LONG DANCED WITH “MABEL”

Representative Lautenschlaeger resumed b: animation; “Did Governor Long dance with anyone?”

“Yea. He danced with Mabel, one of the entertainer.”

“About an hour.”

“Who was there?”

“Mr. Daly and two other men who worked for him.&rdquo

Representative Pegues asked the witness if she was summoned to testify.

She said that she received no summons.

“Then, how do you happen to come up here?” questioned Representative Sere.

SUMMONED BY DALY

“Mr. Daly told me when I signed the affidavit I would have to come up here some time. He called me several days ago and told me to comw up here.”

“Where do you live?”

“On Euterpe Street.”

The witness declined to answer Representative Sere’s demand for her telephone number. When instructed by the Committee Chairman, she answered:

“Mr. Daly called me at Jackson 4147 J. The telephone is not in my name but is right next door to where I live.”

When the examination of the witness was completed the House adjourned until 10 a.m. Friday.

The foregoing reveals how obvious were the attempts to “frame” Huey. Additional testimony presented by the foes of Long show clearly that the so-called impeachment was merely a scheme to railroad the Governor out of office and into the penitentiary. An account of these records as published in the morning edition of the Times-Picayune, April 24, follows:

(Times-Picayune-Wednesday, April 24, 1929)

FERNANDEZ BARES BRIBE OFFER MADE BY GOVERNOR LONG

Formal Notice that Vote will be Taken Thursday follows sensational Testimony in House

Senator Relates Proposal for Job

New Orleans Solon says he was tendered Choice of Three Places as Recently as Week Ago

Baton Rouge, La., April 23-After Senator J. O. Fernandez of New Orleans recited to the House of Representatives today tne details of Governor Huey P. Long's apparent attempt to bribe him as a member of the court of impeachment, Representative Cecil Morgan of Caddo gave formal notice that the House will be asked to vote Thursday on Article No. 4 of the impeachment resolution which charges the Governor with misuse and misapplication of public funds.

Seven specific charges of misuse and misapplication of funds are contained in the resolution introduced by Representative Morgan late this afternoon, which will be argued and voted on by the House Thursday.

MANY SPECIFIC CHARGES

The seven charges are:

1.- That Governor Long failed to account for $2000 of the $6000 appropriated for the entertainment of visitors to the governor’s conference in New Orleans last November.

2.- That Governor Long paid his cousin, W. O. Long, $728.25 out of the mansion and traveling fund.

3.- That Governor Long used $1,112.40 of the funds appropriated for the up-keep of the executive mansion for the purchase of Law books for his private use.

4.- That Governor Long caused $4000 to be paid to J. C. Wimberly for detective culverts on a road in Bossier Parish.

5.- That Governor Long paid Messina $200 of the mnsion fund for work done for the Governpr personally. Messina is the reputed Body Guard of the Governor.

PAID FOR RESIGNATION

6. &mbsh; That Governor Long caused V. Richardson, Secretary Treasurer of the State Colony and Training School at Alexandria, to be paid $3000 salary and $2400 maintenance for no work done so that Mr. Richardson would resign and allow his position to be given to B. F. Eubanks, a supoorter of the Governor.

7. &mbsh; That Governor Long leased space in the Lousiana National Bank Bldg. in Baton Rouge for the Highway Commission and that the Governor used a part of this space for his own private Law Office and for housing his own private Law Library.

While all of the charges are included in one resolution, it is probable that each charge will be voted on separately.

Startling testimony of how he was taken to Governor Long's Hotel room a week ago and offered his choice of being Registrar of Voters of Orleans Parish or membership on either the Highway Commission or the Louisiana Tax Commission if he "would be fair to the Governor at the impeachment trial by the Senate", was given by Senator Fernandez.

The testimony of Senator Fernandez bore out the statement attributed to Governor Long that he has "fourteen Senators with him regardless". WHile Governor Long denied making this statement Senator Fernandez averred that the Governor attempted to make him believe he had a "number of signatures on a piece of paper", and wanted Senator Fernandez' signature to increase that number.

Charles A. Battle who recently resigned as President of the Board of Parole, followed Senator Fernandez on the stand, and told how he resigned rather than approve the expense accounts of O.B. Thompson, the Parole Officer forced on the Board by Governor Long.

C. R. Mixon, Captain of the Receiving Station of the State Penitentiary and assistant Seargeant of Arms of the House of Representatives, testified that silverware taken from the executive mansion before its demolition, was engraved with the name of Huey P. Long and that he was informed that this silverware was to be shipped to Shreveport.

Mrs. Grave Mundinger, M.H. Bennett and P.H. Barry, former office employees of the Highway Commission, testified that Governor Long told them and sixty other employees that O.K. Allen, Chariman and other members of the Commission were not their bosses.

"I'm the only Boss there is", the witness quoted Governor Long as saying. the Governor's statement was made, according to the witnesses when he told them to support the Gas Tax amendment or submit their resignations.

FERNANDEZ TESTIFIES

Senator Fernandez was called to the stand shortly after the House went into the Committee of the whole, and he was examined by Representative J.Y. Sanders, Jr., of East Baton Rouge Parish.

-20-

"I don't know why but judge he wanted my help."

"Did the Governor say anything about getting a fair trial?"

"Yes, I told him to rest assured that I would give him a fair trial."

"Did the Governor continue to press his offer of a job?"

"Yes. I told the Governor that if I would vote to acquit him contrary to the evidence presented at the trial in the Senate I would be a ruined man for the rest of my life and that I could not face my people."

"Did he offer you the job of "Registrar of Voters" of Orleans Parish?"

"Yes, but I couldn't take that seriously, as I know that Governor Long and Speaker Fournet are members of the State Board of Registration, and they could remove any Registrar of Voters at their pleasure.

"The Governor told me that he would make a place for me as a member of the Highway Commission, and then told me he would gvie me Mr.Colbert's place on the Louisiana Tax Commission. The Governor pointed out that if I were appointed a member of the Tax Commission, my term of office would extend into the next Administration."

"Did the Governor say anything about having fourteen Senators with him?"

"The Governor pulled out some papers. One of the papers had some signatures on it, but I was not close enough to see the names or how many names. The paper did have some signatuers on it, and it said something in the last paragraph about a reprimand for the Governor."

"Did the Governor say anything about helping him in the Senate?"

"The Governor said he had some signatures, but probably wanted a few more votes in the Senate."

"So the substance of your testimony is that the Governor offered you your choice of Registrar of Voters, member of the Tax Commission or Member of the Highway Commission if yo would give him a square deal?"

"Yes."

"And the Governor continued to offer any of these jobs to you after you assured him you would give him a square deal?"

(By Representative Ellender:)

"All the offeres the Governor made were coupled with a square deal?"

"Yes."

"And you told him that irrespective of the jobs you would give him the square deal?"

"Yes."

(Senator Fernandez was then excused from the stand.)

-22-

SAYS HE WAS NOT PAID

I also wish to state that Long used me from ten to sometimes twenty hours a day, promising to pay me $250.00 per month, but for the two months that I wasted guarding his dirty hide he never has paid me anything but a promise, which is the same deal he promised so many of the good people of Lousiana that he foodled during his campaign for Governor.

After the session of the Legislature was over in 1928, Long put me to work in the Highway Commission as an assistant road supervisor under J. P. "Blacky" Burgin, Jr. I worked along some few months when "Blacky" Burgin came to me with a propostition that he would pad the pay rolls with me and put one hundred dollars to one hundred fifty more on our salaries, telling me that he, Burgin, would get all the checks passed and split with me and that I would be in no danger of being caught.

Burgin also made a proposition to his mechanic that he would furnish the money to buy automobile parts at wholesale price and sell them to the state at retail prices and that he would split with him. Both the mechanic, J.H. Lee, and myself refused to be a party to any thieving whatsoever.

CHARGES PAY ROLL PADDING

Burgin has paid some of the men on the job many days pay gor work they did not do, having on man dig a grave and telling him to put in his time as ditching. His name being on the books. Also paying one man, Claude Favrot, many hours that he did not earn and two days he attended a football game played by L.S.U.

I know of many other instances in which the state money is squandered by the highway department.

Burgin also allows his men to steal aluminum from the highway barn and sell it to the junk dealers. The man that was caught doing this and confessed was named Humphries "Hogtooth" Harelson. Burgin also allows this man and others to go back and forth from their work and use at other times a pleasure car. They also allow out at the barn sleeping on the job in the day time. One man by the name of Alcee Guitreaux sleeps almost constantly in the office.

All of this mess was taken up with Burgin by the bookkeeper, Mr. Breeden. Whereupon Burgin bawled the bookkeeper out. He (Burgin) was drunk at the time. Said to the bookkeeper, "I am running things out here ----------- Mr. Allen, Huey and all of 'em, I'm the boss."

DRUNKENNESS CHARGED

Burgin has constantly been drunk on the job, hauling whisky in the state car quite frequently.

I got tired of the way things were going and called on Mr. Allen, also the governor and the entire highway commission, telling them just how the state money was being squandered, whereupon the governor sent me to see O.K. Allen again and Allen tells me, also Mr. Breedon and the rest of the men wait until after the gas tax election was over and he would clean that bunch of crooks out --- just saying he didn't want to hurt the bond is-says. "Come down here and sit down by me." The Governor had been drinking. I smelled it on his breath.

He says "Battling Bozemann, I am going to call an extra session of the Legislature", and he says, "This -------------- J.Y. Sanders, Jr., is going to disapprove of all my measures and I want to get him out of my way. I have chosen you to do away with this ---------. I says "Governor, what do you mean?" He says, "I mean for you to kill the ----------, leave him in the ditch where nobody will know how and when he got there. I'm the Governor of this State, and if you were to be found out, I would give you a full pardon and many gold dollars."

DECLINES TO ACT

My answer to the Governor was: "I trust the people of Lousiana, and most especially around Baton Rouge, my home town, known me better than to think that I was a gangster and while J.Y. Sanders, Jr., opposed you in everything that you may bring before the House and Senate, I wouldn't harm a hair of his head, for the simple reason he is my friend, but the most particular reason is because I am not that kind of a man."

"If any man insults me I am ready and will fight for my rights, but for me to commit a wilful and plotted murder-- there is nothing doing."

The Governor says, "Go back to New Orleans and go to work and think it over; remember I'm the Governor and you'll be in no danger whatsoever."

In about a couple of weeks the Governor stopped me on the street while I was here during the week-end, and says to me, "Well, what about it?" I says "Oh everything seems to be all right. I believe it is going to rain." The Governor says, "Very well, remember what I told you. I'm the boss", he roared it at me and turned, mad, walking away.

BOZEMAN DISMISSED

I went on back to New Orleans and after a few days a telegram came from L.R. Ames, saying to pay Bozeman off immediately, right now, not tommorrow. Whereupon I recieved a letter from the boss in New Orleans notifying me of my dismissal. Knowing how things stood, I, in advance, told my friends in New Orleans and Luling, La., where I was stationed, that Long was dirty and that any time I received my walking papers it would be no surprise to me.

Now, people, I would like to know if for any other reason by my refusal to commit murder for Governor Long, why was I fired from the Highway Commission.

After receiving my letter of dismissal, I returned to Baton Rouge, and went to the highway office for my check.

I talked to Mr. Allen, Ames and Nugent, after them telling me that they did not know why I was dismissed, other then they were cutting down the forces. I told Allen, Ames and Nugent that I thought that if they were going to let me off for that reason and keep a bunch of drunkards and crooks, that I thought that they wasn't as decent as the crooks and drunkards, but

-26-

REFUSES TO GO

I told him no, I had nothing to defend myself with, and that if any trouble arose I wouldn't be able to take care of myself.

Then Harley Bozeman returned and told me, "I have fixed things up for you." I thanked him and told him I didn't want any jobs Huey Long had.

The next morning the Governor met me in the second lobby of the State House and says to me, "Bozeman, I want you to go to work in the morning." He says, "I'll give you a raise, I'll pay you $400.00 per month and give you a new car." I asked what was the job. He says, "The most work you'll have to do is go get your check." I told him, "I want none of your jobs and nothing to do with you at all."

ALl of this statement is facts made by me. Nobody but me. Of course I expect for Long to deny this. If he does he is a liar, and I'll stand up for the truth no matter if he is the Governor. I know that the only way he strikes back at me is to get some of his henchmen to do to me as he wanted me to do J.Y. Sanders, Jr.

I warn my friends in advance if anything happens to me that nobody can be blamed but Huey P. Long or some of his henchmen.

HARRY A. BOZEMAN

State of Louisiana,

Parish of East Baton Rouge,

Before me, undersigned authority, personally came and appeared Harry Aldrich Bozeman, personally known to me, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that the above and foregoing statement was dictated by him and that his signature is his true and genuine signature, that the statements made therein are true and correct, that the interlineations were made under his direction and that the foregoing statement was made of his own free will and accord.

Witnesses:

Mrs. N. C. Cox

S. M. Carpenter.

Sworn and subscribed before me and the witnesses whose names appear above, this 25th day of March, 1929.

VICTOR A. SACHSE

Notary Public.

-28-

farm and had been there since preparing the land, while new buildings were being erected and irrigation machinery installed.

Attempts to learn the nature of the contract between Mr. Burgin, Sr., who is said to be a close friend of Gov. Huey P. Long, and the penitentiary officials, were unsuccessful. Rumors which are prevalent, however say that the penitentiary is furnishing the seed, all of the labor and machinery even funds for paying the lease cost, in the hope that it may share in the prospective profits of the venture with Mr. Burgin, Sr.

At the penitentiary headquarter offices in Baton Rouge today, Acting Warden Atlee Steckler said that he was not familirar with the nature of the contract and could gvie only figures showing the nuber of convicts used on the farm since operation began on Feb. 22. Clay J. Dugas, manager of the penitentiary, who at penitentiary headquarters was said to be familiar with the contract, could not be reached today by the Times-Picayune reporter.

Regardless of the nature of the contract it is illegal and unconstitutional, legal authroities of this section said. Sention 32, Art. 4 of the Constitution, it was pointed out, empowers the Legislature to give authority to employ convicts on public roads, highways, do by authorized (convict farms), and in State control facotires under State supervision, and under no condition shall convicts sentenced to the penitentiary (ever be leased or hired to any person, or persons or coporation, private, public, quaci public or boarded save as herein authorized).

Housed in wooden barracks. It was further asserted by attorneys that even should the State contend that the Cloverland tract is now "a convict farm" the penitentiary administration is violating the Constitution in using the convicts there and any contract calling for their use is illegal as the Legislature alone is empowered with authority to create "convict farms" And no such act could have been passed since Janurary 1st.

The prisoners that have been herded on the Clevland farm are being housed in wooden barracks with a captain and trustees acting as guards. At the penitentiary offices, it was said today, that so far none have escaped.

Back of the mess hall built for the convict laborers, a crude machine shop has been erected. When the Times-Picayune reporter arrived there, a machinist was at work on an irrigation pump, while standing nearby were four farm tractors which the worksmen said were the property of the penitentiary and had been brought to the farm on penitentiary trucks.

"How many tractors did they bring over?" He was asked.

"Nine (9) is all, but they are doing the work of ten (10)." The man replied, "you know we are going to put in about 1500 acres of rice here and we work long hours." When questioned further he added that all the laborers on the farm "as far as I know" are convicts.

It could not be learned who is financing the farming project nor who signed the agreement between the penitentiary and Mr. Burgin, Sr., if such a written agreement exsits.

-30-

the holding of any office in the State Government by a member of the General Assembly."

CHAIRMAN NAMED

To co-ordinate the work of the league in every parish of the State, a committee on membership and organization was created, with Wilson P. Peterman of St. Mary Parish as the Chairman.

Howard B. Warren of Caddo was elected chairman of the legal Committee of management and publicity.

Former Governor John M. Parker, President of League, and Representative George K. Perrault of St. Laundry Parish. Chairman of the executive Committee, on behalf of the League issued the following statement:

"By the authority, and under the direction of the Constiutional League of Louisiana, we are the executive committee of the League, do hereby formerly announce to the people of Louisiana the reasons for, and purposes of, the formation of the League and principles of government for which it stands.

LEAGUE NON-PARTISAN

"1. Appealing as we do, to every patriotic man and woman in this state, regardless of of political party or faction for aid and assistance in this great cause we hereby positively and unequivocally pledge ourselves not to promote this constitutional league to be used as an instrument to further the political abitions or asperations of any man, or set of men, for any offcice in this state, from Governor to Constable.

" 2. In the constitutioanl and orderly course of administration of government in Lousiana, periodical elections are held, officers for legislative, judicial and exectutive positions are selected, sworn, and proceed to the discharge of their public duties.

"3. The course of such administration in Louisiana, as in other states, is successful and to the advantage of the people in a more or less degree, according to the aims, ability, and intergrtiy of chosen servants, subject to such vicissitudes as providence may impose. Never before in the history of the state, when the government has been solely under the direction of white men, has any aubstantial and representative body of the whole citenzenship of the state felt obliged to apprehend such danger in administration of public affairs so grave as to require united and patriotic defense against public disgrace, corruption of the people, and financial disaster.

STATE IN DANGER

"4. Such a conditon does now confront Louisiana. In such a state of affairs we are impelled to affirm our faither in our former government in those fundamental principles common in every constitution of every state in the union and in the constitution of the United States, namely, that the co-ordinate branches of government- the legislature, the judicial and the executive, shall be equal and each independent of the other. This wise system of checks and balance has given our country the foundation on

-32-

they are collected from the people to corrupt and undermine public morals; even to attempting to bribe the whole comminities in the matter of building and locating highways.

"12. To prevent such attempts at public corruption, and to prevent the use of enormous public funds for private purpose, we will support legislation to remove exclusive control of such funds from the hands of any man, the governor, or any other, and take the same out of politics.

Mrs. Grave Mundinger, M. H. Bennett and P. H. Barry former off!,, employee, of the Highway Commission, testified that Gov^nor ToL told

rofntte8cl�*e-emP'�yeeS that �- K- Al1-' Chairmanlnd othe Smemoers ol the Commission were not their bosses

in* rlTc^ �nly ,thei"e iS"* the WitneSS'quoted Governor Long as sayhe told them to support the Gas Tax amendment or submit their reSZ

FERNANDEZ TESTIFIES

Senator Fernandez was called to the stand *hortIv srfW tt

1!)

"Are you a member of the Senate of Louisiana?" Representative Sanders asked*

"I am a member of the Senate, sitting as a court of impeachment", Senator Fernandez replied,

"Were you in Baton Rouge yesterday a week ago?" "Yes."

"Did you have occasion to have a conversation with Governor Long?" "I did have a conversation with Governor Long." "How did you come to have that conversation?"

"Shortly after I arrived in Baton Rouge, I went to the Heidelberg Hotel for Lunch. I met the Governor there. Governor Long asked me to go to his room to get something to eat. I went with him to his home, but I considered the conversation I had with him private."

"Are you willing to tell what took place?"

"I hesitate to do so."

"Is it not a fact that he offered you a bribe?" "If you gentlemen consider it that way,"

"What was the nature of the Governor's conversation with you?" "If you insist, I feel it is my duty to tell it."

ANSWER DEMANDED

Representative Charles Roberts of Lincoln, Chairman of the sub-committee conducting the preliminary hearing asked;

"Senator Fernandez, do you claim immunity under the Law?" "No, I cannot/' Senator Fernandez replied.

"Was the Governor talking to you as a member of the Senate?" "Yes."

Chairman Roberts ruled that Senator Fernandez would have to answer the question.

"Did the Governor's conversation have anything to do with impeachment proceedings?" Representative Sanders resumed. "Yes."

"State the proposition the Governor made to you."

"Governor Long told me we had been friends for ten years. I told him we had not been political friends. Then the Governor said that the impeachment proceedings were a crime being perpetrated on the people.

"Governor Long told me that he was holding open the position of Registrar of Voters of Orleans Parish and that he was satisfied I could have that position as he felt I would give him a square deal. Governor Long also told me he had an opening on the Louisiana Tax Commission and an opening on the Highway Commission"

PLEDGES "SQUARE DEAL"

"I told the Governor that regardless of any job I would give him a square deal when the time came to judge his case in the Senate. I told him I was under no political obligations, ard had taken an oath as a juror to be guided by the evidence."

"Why did he offer you these positions?"

"Did�thakr�� why but iudee he wanted my w

I ofd irr S�Vnything ab�Ut Rettine a fair trial?" leg, 1 told him to rest assured that I would give him a fair trial �

4es I told�Vrnr C�ntinUe t0 Pr6SS his off- of * ob " to the den e Pres:n?e0dV:rtTh' �*, � 1 J�'" TOte t0 aC<*uit h� -"fary

^taS!^J^ "J-" �f Vc"rS"Pof Orleans Pari,^ and Speaker Fournet are members ofZ Lt r^T ^ Long they could remove any Registrar Jtt^^^^ "d

ASK Rr- -a �

office would extend into the nZ7�J��Z ,?����. �y term of him?" G�Vern0r ^ anything about h�-ing fourteen Senators with

name, The mJV* ^"som �on T � " h�

the ^ paragraph about a reprimand for the Governor � ^ in

Go^r0;�ers0aidShe Taf^ ab�Ut hSmta

more vot� in the La;e." S�me Sle"atUreS bUt Pr�bab* wa"tefi * ���

"So the substance of your testimony is thaf th� r your choice of Registrar of Voters, ZmLofthe tL^''^ y�U ber of the Highway Commission if yon would ^""T" �r Mem"

"Yes." wuum give him a square deal?"

"And the Governor continued to offer anv nf ih*� \ i you assured him you would give him * �ZTl*V> ^ '� m

(By Representative Ellender-)

;;A11 the offers the Governor made were coupled with a square dea!

BquareAdedaf,� ^ �f the would give him the

"Yes,"

(Senator Fernandez was then excused from the stand.)

0

21

IV

Anyone reading the testimony of impeachment proceedings as published in the columns of the Times-Picayune, one of the avowed enemies of Huey P. Long, can plainly Bee between the lines that the whole movement against him was a crime against the character of a man who was trying out a plan to redeem his native state from fifty years of mal-administration.

As further evidence of the extremes to which the foes of Huey went to turn the people against him there is the affidavit of H. A. "Battling" Bozeman, which was published with much fanfare and big headlines in the Times-Picayune, April 25, while the legislature was in session hearing the so-called charges. The alleged affidavit follows;

BOZEMAN CHARGES LONG TEMPTED TO HIRE HIM TO ASSASSINATE SANDERS

Full Text of Accusation Against Governor Is Made Public

Baton Rouge, March 25 � The full text of H. A. "Battling" Bozeman's affidavit charging that Governor Long had attempted to hire him to assassinate Representative J. Y. Sanders of Baton Rouge:

BOZEMAN'S AFFIDAVIT

Bozeman's affidavit follows: Baton Rouge, La., March 26,

State of Louisiana, Parish of Kasl Ma ton Rouge. To the people of Louisiana:

v My name is H. A. "Battling" Bozeman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Of my own free will and accord and because 1 love Louisiana and feel it is my duty forced upon me by the chief executive of this state, Governor Huey P. Long, I make this statement; I campaigned for Long and was his staunch supporter when he was elected Governor and canii' to Baton Rouge. He sent for me to act as his body guard, telling im� l.lu-n, if :it any time anybody wanted to know whether or not I was his body guard to tell them no.

When Senator Norris C. Williamson opposed some of his measures, he (Governor Long) had me to call him down and threaten him if he did not "lay off" the Governor and myself, which I did, letting Long make a goat of me by dictating a statement to Miss Grosjean, his secretary and having me to sign same, and here and now I wish to apologize to Senator Norris C. Williamson for the statement thus made,

I

i

SAYS HE WAS NOT PAID

I also wish to state that Long used me from ten to sometimes twenty Hours a day, promising to pay me $250.00 per month, but for the two months that I wasted guarding his dirty hide he never has paid me anything but a promise, which is the same deal he promised so many of the* good people of Louisiana that he fooled during his campaign for Governor.

After the session of the Legislature was over in 1928, Long put me to work m the Highway Commission as an assistant road supervisor under J P. "Blacky" Burgin, Jr. I worked along some few months when "Blacky" Burgm came to me with a proposition that he would pad the pay rolls with me and put one hundred dollars to one hundred fifty more on our salaries telling me that he, Burgin, would get all the checks passed and split with me and that I would be in no danger of being caught.

Burgin also made a proposition to his mechanic that he would furnish the money to buy automobile parts at wholesale price and sell them to the state at retail prices and that he would split with him. Both the mechanic H' Lee' and myself refused to be a party to any thieving whatsoever.

CHARGES PAY ROLL PADDING

I know of many other instances in which the state money is squandered* by the highway department.

Burgin also allows his men to steal aluminum from the highway barn and sell it to the junk dealers. The man that was caught doing this and confessed was named Humphries "Hogtooth" Harelson. Burgm also allows this man and others to go hack and forth from their work and use at other times a pleasure car. They also allow out at the barn sleeping on the job in the day time. One man by the name of Alcee Guitreaux sleeps almost constantly m the office.

All of this mess was taken up with Burgin by the bookkeeper Mr Breeden. Whereupon Burgin bawled the bookkeeper out. He (Burgin) was drunk at the time. Said to the bookkeeper, "I am running things out here

" ; Mr- Allen, Huey and all of 'em, I'm the boss."

DRUNKENNESS CHARGED

Burgin has constantly been drunk on the job, hauling whisky in the �tate car quite frequently.

I got tired of the way things were going and called on Mr. Allen, also tht governor and the entire highway commission, telling them just how the VUU money was being squandered, whereupon the governor sent me to m<o O. K. Allen again and Allen tells me, also Mr. Breedon and the rest of 11wai1 IJrilil after the gas tax election was over and he would clean 1,1 11 1h �* 1 ,,-",kH out � just saying he didn't want to hurt the bond is

sue by having anything come up at the present time* Thus time and again the wool was pulled over the people's eyes.

After the election was over, I called on the governor again and had many of my friends do this same thing. The governor said, "I have ordered O. K. Allen to make an investigation, Go see O. K."

I again went to Mr. Allen, and Mr. Allen said to me, "I want you to have every man that works at the barn present Thursday night. I'm going to fire the whole damn outfit.*' I arranged the meeting; told every man on# the job to stay under Mr. Allen's orders. Burgin, Guitreaux and "Hogtooth" Harelson refused to stay for the investigation. We stayed there until around 9 o'clock and Mr. Allen failed to show up, Finally I got him on the telephone. He made all kinds of apologies telling me that "he forgot" that the meeting was called; that we would have to set another night.

"GOOD AT FORGETTING"

Good people of the State of Louisiana, that is how your highway chairman is capable of conducting the affairs of the highway commission, but after you learn the governor and the balance of his henchmen, and know them as well as I do, you will know that they are good at this forgetting business � anything to double-cross the public.

We finally got Mr. Allen, Gejan and Mr. J. E. Henderson to come out to the barn and hold this investigation, but again Burgin, Harelson, and Guitreaux failed to stay.

Mr. Allen said, "I will fire that bunch immediately," sending for me to come to the highway office in a few days, Mr. Allen said, "Mr. Bozeman, you know as well as I do that these men ought to be fired, but for other reasons than efficiency I am compelled to keep them on the job. I want to send you to New Orleans in order to hush this mess up. The governor says for me to raise your salary and the other men that are so strongly opposed to Burgin's tactics, to send them along with you, providing they will hush all this mess up."

They sent us to New Orleans after a short time they fired some of the other men, retaining myself, Mr. Lee and Mr. Broussard.

URGES INQUIRY

Now, people of the State, all of these men were given from $2.00, $2.50 a day more money in wages just to hide the crooked work that Huey P. Long and the Highway Commission is upholding. I Bay let the crookedness be investigated. The statement only touches a few spots.

Huey Long sent for me to come to the Governor's mansion about five or six weeks ago. I went to see the Governor one Saturday when I came up to New Orleans to spend the week-end with my family. The Governor said to me, "Battling Bozeman, I am the kaiser of this state; when I crack my whip whoever dares to disobey my orders regardless of what they may be, I'll fire 'em. They won't last as long with me after disobeying one of my commands as a snowball will in hell. Shut that door over there" he

2G

REFUSES TO GO

-^susskzsassis^ h ?-�

The next morning the Gov�.�L ? ' a"y Jobs Hu^ LonS had.

State House and says^I ^Zemanl � Iob^ * the

mornmg." He says, "I'll ^ you a"aL ril ^ /� *� W�rk in the and give you a new car." I asked what tT'^ iTJ00 H00m per mont" yo�'ll have to do is go g t yourThee^T t "THe �St Work

jobs and nothing to do with you at aU � h'm' 1 Want none of ^�

i �pS t^c t z; :niiaHh?dd:ebrh me- N,obody but - �f

the truth no matter if he is the Co', tV ^ ^ StaIld U* f"

HARRY A. BOZEMAN

State of Louisiana, Parish of East Baton Rouge.

nepose and say that the above an d f or'L 1/ ^ dU'y Sworn> did him and that his signature is h7s W Z * Btat.eMent was dictated by wenta made thereto arc ^17� f T"8 sifrnature' that the atari made under his direction and th^lrfnT' ^ inter,i"-tions were

own free will and accord. forego.ng statement was made of his

Witnesses: Mrs. N, C. Cox & M. Carpenter.

Sworn and subscribed before me anH fh* ^ s* pear above, this 25th day of March, 1929. Wltnesse* �*�e names ap

VICTOR A. SACHSE

Notary Public,

" o ,

Another pieee of false propaganda published -while the impeachment legislature was in session, but never presented as evidence, was printed in the Times-Picayune, April 24. It follows:

(Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La,, April 24, 1930)

CONVICTS WORKED ON PRIVATE FARM OLONG'S FRIEND

Between 40 and 50 prisoners employed on rice plantation und terious contract. Equipment owned by penitentiary. Nine tractors, pumps and tools are furnished by State institution, employes on tract assci

"I will give you an answer tomorrow," Gov. Huey P. Long sai nesday night when shown the dispatch from New Roads telling > working of convicts on rice plantation, if the Times-Picayune will g. same play to my statement tomorrow that they give to their story 1 will fpel that they have done the state a great service and my administration quite a favor.

(By C. C. McCann)

(Times-Picayune Staff Representative)

New Roads, La., April 23, 1930

Convicts of the Stnte penitentiary are being worked on a privately owned and operated rice farm near New Roads in violation of the Louisiana Constitution under a (mysterious) contract between the penitentiary and John P. Burgin, Sr., Baton Rouge contractor, father of John P. Burgin, Jr., district maintenance superintendent of the highway commission, it was learned here today, between 40 and 50 convicts have been at work on the farm located about 7 miles north-east of here since Feb. 22, and according to employes of the rice plantation, all of the production and construction equipment, including 9 contractors, pumps and tools, are being provided by the penitentiary.

The land is owned by three Baton Rouge Banks, the Louisiana National Bank, the Union Bank & Trust Company, and the Bank of Baton Rouge, having been taken over last fall under default of mortgages from the Cloverland Farm Company. Early this year, bank officials said, the land was leased to John P. Burgin, Sr., at the rate of $4.00 per acre for the portion of the 3648 acres put into cultivation.

Rumors say even seed furnished. At the time the lease was signed, the bankers said, no mention of the use of convicts was made to them noi was there any indication that it was not a strictly private deal. But shortly thereafter, the penientiary records show that convicts were sent to tho

officials, were unsuccessful Rumors whiT g' a"d the PMitentliry

the penitentiary is furniJngZ ZT^^VT^ h�WeVer ^ tha" funds for Paying the lease cost in tne' hi Vw machi�-y even

active profits of the venture tth ^ Bu^in t ^ *

-Sat::: ron ��

* and could give only filnl. u famiI,a1' the nature of the

^n, since opera^^ of convict, used

"tentiary, who at penitcntiarv\! i J" Dugas* of

� �ntr�t, could 'offae ^ be ^miliar

, , reACAOd today by the Times-Picayune re

Kcgardless of the nature nf *k �?nal, leg,! authorities S thLsecSn^d t � " "'^ and Stitution, it was pointed, out elo2rs h t � 33' Art 4 �f the Cto employ convicts on public Z | ' Lef We to give authority

no condition shall convicts sentenced to the , f .SUpervls,�". and under hired to any person, or pe�0M o/wrt^Li^ (eV6r be ,ea"<!

or beared save as herein authorised) ' PuWic> ^uaai public

pn � i^SSy � �- rrted by � farm" the penitentiary adininLrat on , 17 h now "a ���vict

he convicts there �JS2 e3l�f V' Const'tutio" *> Wh* Legislature alone is ompowered^ S^iS**t*MS" !" h "'^ a* ^ A�d no such act could have been SilSSfal�S"

four farm tractors which the Sta� sta�<""S �by

tentmry and had been brought to the f�� Pr�Perty �' the Pen*

"How many tractors did the u Pen,tentiarv "Nine (9) u t I ' ? M'lng �Ver?" He was a^ed.

and we work long hours." When questioned ^ 15�� ams �f riee here laborer, on the farm "as far as I know a"e convictsF * ^ �� ^

***** ^lint^rtt?peSnB �*<* - who

a written agreement exist! and Mr. Burgin, Sr., if su,h�

Failing in their icy his enemies organized them

selves into a group w) ich U Constitutional League of Louis

iana. It was a very high-sounding ucie, ijui, empty in real intent. Their aims and purposes as announced in their official journal The Times-Picayune follows:

LEAGUE OPENS WAR UPON CORRUPTION OF LONG'S REGIME

Governor Driving Louisiana Into Financial and Moral Bankruptcy, Says Declaration of Principles

Law To Prohibit Job Bribery Urged

Organization's Aims Entirely Non-partisan and Impersonal, Committee Asserts; Chairman Named

Expressing the belief that, if Governor Huey P. Long is permitted to continue his course of demoralization and waste, bankruptcy of the public treasury and public morals will ensue the executive of the Constitutional League of Louisiana perfected its organization and adopted a declaration of principles at its first meeting Tuesday in the St. Charles Hotel.

The sole and only purpose of the league, the declaration of principles sets forth, is to destroy the debauchery of the Long administration and to bring its perpetrators to justice*

Words are not minced in the declaration of principles, in which various actions of Governor Long are condemned in a powerful arraignment of his unlawful aggressions and unwarranted usurpation of authority.

LEGISLATURE UNDERMINED

"In no case in America" it is asserted in the declaration of principles, "has the executive ever before openly sought to destroy the independence of the Legislature, and to completely arrogate to himself its functions. Such is openly and wantonly done by the Governor of Louisiana.

"Never before has any considerable portion of any Legislature had its political morals so corrupted as to openly and shamelessly become the hired men of the executive for lucrative monthly cash, subject to discharge at hi? pleasure, and notoriously doing his reprehensible bidding, with jest and callous impudence. But it is now being done by very many legislators in Louisiana, some of whom have placed numerous offspring or other relatives under the same degrading lash.

"To prevent the recurrence of this the Constitutional League will support a measure in the Legislature at the first opportunity prohibiting

the holding of any office ,

General Assembly." W Sta,e Government by a member of the

To co-ordinate the worTol'T^ NAMK� i�;rittee �n me-be�h,p and I S <* the State, a

Peterman of St. Mary Parish ' thfch, With Wi!-n P.

Howard B. Warren of r ii Cha,r,nanmittee and Harry P. (^bl. ^ LTn* ^ Chair",a" �' th" >*��1 Comconunftt* of management and purity ^ � W cha�� �* the

eeufve Committee, on �3Parish' Chairman of the et ment.; League lssu*d the following sU"

:/r f a"� to the peoie" fC�L^^"V ^ d� ^ f " of the LeagUe and � � ~Sme^=

! Appealing, trrr0^"13^

state, regardless of^olitTcal 1 v ZT �n and w��n in this

great cause we hereby posft vdv Ld , �" aid a"d assistance " h s P-mote this constitutional Iagueto boTT""7 "'^ �UrSelvthe pohtieal ambitions or asPe,at on" of " to further

V InStrte' 2T G-"- "I ConTabTe3"' "* ^ �f f<" ^

ud.cal and executive positions wetted f�r charge of their public duties selected, sworn, and proceed to the dis

J *~J*J3T� iS^SStSr in �J�UiS!ana- - * �th- ^eS according to the alms, ability and � Z^'6 in 3 more �r >�� degree vicissitudes as S( ^"J^f �f -vants, subJeTto

the state, when the government ha"fs ' ,1 b<?f0,"e in the hisW of men, has any substantial and represen , T * the direction of Zite of th state felt obliged to apprehend su"h" �? ^ �* the Whole affa.rs so grave as to TeqZe u"LTt ^T- admi"istration of public

"4 S� fc STATE ,N DA^ER

^^"s^^^s* Louirna-in -*a�

those fundamental principles common in el �U1" f�rmer ^ernment in ln the nn*�� and in the constitution of th rr^l e�nstit^ of every state

which to build, we believe, the most prosperous and enlightened government on earth. Whenever, in any State, transient apathy of the people has permitted grasping power to seriously encroach on this principle, ugly evils have showed heads, and promptly the people awoke and chastised the perpetrators and corrected the fault.

"5. In no cas in America has the executive ever before openly sought to destroy the independence of the Legislature, and to completely arrogate himself its functions. Such is openly and wantonly done by the Governor of Louisiana. Never before has any considerable portion of any legislature had its political morals so corrupted as to openly and shamelessly become the hired men of the Executive for lucrative monthly cash, subject to discharge at his pleasure, and notoriously doing his reprehensible bidding, with jest and careless impudence. But it is now being done by very many legislators in Louisiana, some of whom have placed numerous offspring or other relatives under the same degrading lash.

OPPOSE OFFICE-HOLDING

"6. To prevent the recurrence of this, the league will support a measure in the State Legislature at the first opportunity prohibiting the holding of any office in the State government by a member of the general assembly.

"7. Never before has any governor dared to publicly declare that the members of the legislative branch of his state are but cards in a deck which he deals as he pleases. But the governor of Louisiana has publicly made this contemptuous declaration. �

"8. Destruction of the integrity of the legislative branch by hiring members and their families, is sought to be completed by the scandalous use of executive power, and misuse of public funds indirectly ordering and aiding and abetting the recall of members of the general assembly who hav^ been guilty of no offense other than to exercise their constitutional duties* to vote as they saw fit; and who are publicly charged with no fault at all.

"9. We condemn the action of the governor in removing efficient parish registrars of voters in his effort, to dominate local election machinery. This constitutional pewer Wftl [mended L*. be exercised only to protec and preserve white supremacy. Mis misuse of this power is not only a vio latlon of the spirit, of the constitution, but � denial of the right of selfgovernment.

KING'S JESTER

"10. Demoralization of administrative departments handling huge funds and having great and necessary public duties is notorious. The trading and sudden and frequent swapping in the offices fixed by law to direct these great departments, amount to public persecution, and is carried on by the governor with the mirth and abanden ef a king's jester,

"11. The handling of those departments and their public funds, running into many millions annually, is retained in the exclusive hands of the governor by the appointment of incompetent and servile mercenaries to important offices; and he then uses these funds, and the purposes for which

they are collected from the people to corrupt ad undermine public morals; even to attempting to bribe whole communities in the matter of building and locating highways.

"12. To prevent such attempts at public corruption, and to prevent the use of enormous public funds for private purpose, we will support legislation to remove exclusive control of such funds from the hands of any man, the governor, or any other, and take the same out of politics.

"13. It is notorious that scores of employees in the state service, paid by state funds, are made to neglect their public duties, if any they have, to carry on political campaigning for the executive; with the result that the public administration is breaking down, and public works and employments are grossly neglected.

BANKRUPTCY NEAR

"14. We aver that if this character of public administration is permitted to continue, demoralization and waste will bankrupt the public treasury; and the evil standards set up will become commonplace and a matter of course, to the bankruptcy of public morals.

"15. We declare that a free and intelligent people, accustomed to a decent and honorable administration of government, cannot and must not tolerate the public debauchery of the existing regime.

"16. We declare that we have no other design than to destroy this debauchery and bring its perpetrators to justice.

"17. We declare that it is our sole purpose to make the sort of administration now current disgraceful in the eyes of the people to the end that they shall never again be deceived into placing in high office convicted slanderers, character destroyers, obscene characters, and any whose greatest talent lies in gross detraction of others, and brazen self-applause.

"18. We declare that the primary consideration is to restore constitutional government and a respect for, and support of, decent and honorable public administration; nevertheless we do also pledge our effort to encourage tax restraints and sane economy, and to prevent the present squandring of public funds for private purposes.

"19. To these ends we dedicate ourselves, and all the associates, firmly believing that a great majority of Louisiana's men and women will approve our action and join us in this greatest and moral governmental battle the state has had since the battle for white supremacy."

The executive committee of the league is composed of twenty-nine members, including chairman Perrault.

The members at large are Wilson T, Peterman, Franklin; B. F. Thompson, Alexandria; Francis T. Knobloch, Thibodeaux; W. H. Hodges, Elm Grove; M. Gary Thompson, Monroe; E. J. Gay, Placmemine; E. E. Lafaye, Harry Gamble and Esmond Phelps, New Orleans.

The members from the eight congressional districts follow:

First � Charles J. Theard and George Grundmann, New Orleans.

Second � Edward Rightor and J. S. Waterman, New Orleans.

Third � Doctor Charles J. Baker, Thibodeaux, and A, .1. Dolden, Ab

beVllFourth � Judge A. S. Drew, Minden, and H. II. Huck�by, Shn-veport. Fifth � Mason Spencer, Tallulah, and J- H. Trousdale, Monroe. sixth � Judge Columbus Reid, Hammond, and Judge C. K. Srhwing,

PlaQ Seventh � J, G. Medlenka, Crowley, and Frank E. Powell, De BidderEighth � Dr. Walter F. Couvillon, Marksville, and J. H. Hawthorne,

AleXRldpresentative Perrault is chairman of the committee, and the ^-officio members are President Parker,-Vice President Noms C. W.lhamson, and Secretary Paul E. Chasez.

, o �

VII

As a part of the League's propaganda the following story appeared ^tember 21, in the news columns of their official medium The TimesPi.ayune:

LONG'S FAMILY DRAWS $75,349 STATE SALARIES

Governor and Twenty-four Relatives Shown to Be on Pay Roll

Twenty-four members of Governor Huey P. Long's family are draW in* salaries a, State jobholders for a total of �75,849.40 it was announced Thursday in a statement issued by the Constitutional League of Louisiana.

In addition to the twenty-four members of the family on the pay rolls of various state departments, the league statement also points out that Otho Long, a cousin of the governor, has a contract to supply the Louisiana Highway Commission with rubber tires for all automobiles and trucks used . by the commission. It is estimated by the league that Otho makes between $5000 and $6000 a year through this arrangement.

BROTHER GETS $13,949 Among the officeholders of the Long family is Earl K. Long, brother of the governor, who drew $1.3,949.40 as attorney for the: inheritance tax collector of Orleans parish during the first twelve months he was m office. This is the office that Governor Long, during his campaign, pledg^l

himself to abolish.

-Huey P. Long, during the last state campaign, "the leagues fttati ment reads "had much to say about pie eaters' and trough feeders Hfl ��� then a candidate for office and was denouncing conditions m the statt

"The records show that the Long family connections are the Cham]

'pie eaters' and 'trough feeders' of the state. No other governor in the history of Louisiana had such a discreditable nepotism record."

THOSE ON PAY ROLL

The incomplete list of members of the Long family on the state pay rolls follows:

NAME ANNUAL SALARY

Huey P. Long, governor $ 7,500.00

Earl Long, brother, inheritance tax attorney, New Orleans 13,949.40

W. H. Long, cousin, bureau of criminal identification, Shreveport 3,000.00

A. J. Long, uncle, superintendent road marking, highway dept.. . 3,000.00

J. C. Long, cousin, traffic officer highw Dept. 1,500.00

J. E. Long, cousin, maintenance division, highway Dept. 1,600.00

T. R, Long, cousin, maintenance division highway Dept 1,200.00

R. R. Long, cousin, maintenance division highwav Dept. 1,200.00

Mrs. Oliver Long Cooper, sister, teacher State Normal college . . 2,700.00

J. M. Nugent, cousin, highway commissioner 5,000.00

G. E. Nugent, cousin, gravel inspector highway Dept. 1,800.00

W. R, Nugent, cousin, maintenance division, highway Dept. 1,200,00

Geo. P. Eagles, cousin, in office of supervisor of public accounts 2,400,00

R. L. Eagles, cousin, assistant superintendent highway Dept.. . . 2,700.00

B. F. Eubank, cousin, assistant supt. feeble-minded colony 3,000.00

S. J. Simmons, cousin, steward East Louisiana Hospital 2,800.00

Professor W. W. Tison, cousin, president State Normal college. . 7,200.00

Lee Tison, cousin, maintenance division highway Dept 1,300.00

C. F. Tison, cousin, maintenance division highway Dept 1,400.00

\.- J. W. Tison, cousin, maintenance division, highway Dept. 1,400,00

Dr. Roy Wright, cousin, New Orleans Charity Hospital 3,000.00

Dave McConnell, brother-in-law, bureau criminal identification . 2,500.00

Lee McConnell, brother-in-law, custodian Shreveport Hospital. . 2,400.00

A. L. Jones, cousin, timber inspector, highway Dept. 2,100,00

TOTAL $75,849.40

When Huey read the story he remarked that he was sorry he did not have more relatives of the same calibre to put on the payroll.

"I never received a complaint about one of them yet," Huey declared, "and if I do it means their resignation just like anyone else who does not deliver full service on the job."

>

35

VIII

The League raised and spent $100,000 in a few months. Huey ignored it. He continued clearing up the debris of the past and shaping things up for his program to lift the state out of the mud.

Thus the year ended with little more excitement than the sham battle for possession of the office of conservation commissioner. This episode related in the columns of the Times-Picayune, December 3, with the usual unfriendly headlines:

DR. IRION YIELDS TO MAESTRI, FACING THREAT

Guard Mobilized on Long's Order To Oust

CHIEF JUSTICE O'NIELL DENIES APPEAL

Housecleaning Starts at Once

New Commissioner Announces Wholesale Dismissal of Conservation Employes

The battle for control of Louisiana Conservation Department ended at 1:30 p. m. Monday when Dr. V. K. IRION relinquished the office of Conservation Commissioner to Robert S. Maestri

Within a half hour after he took possesion of the office by virtue of a supeme court decision, Mr. Maestri dismissed all but two of the office employees.

Refusal by Chief Justice Charles A. O'Niell, of the Louisiana Supreme Court, to grant a writ of supersedeas to Dr. Irion, which would have permitted an appeal to the Federal Courts, averted the use of the militia by Governor Huey P. Long to forcibly remove Dr. Irion from physical possession of the office.

TROOPS MUSTERED

Acting on instructions recieved from Governor Long, Adjutant General Raymond H. Fleming assembled 80 members of National Guard artillery and calvalry units at Jackson Barracks, all of whom were in uniform and equipped with rifles prepared to proceed in trucks to the office of the Conservation Department in the Civil Courts Building, Conti and Royal Streets.

Later in the day Adjutant General Flemming described the calling out of the militia as a "test mobilization."

36

In a written statement issued from his office the Adjutant General made no mention of the National Guardsmen having been called out to assist Mr. Maestri in obtaning possession of the Conservation Commissioner's office but described the sudden calling of troops as a "great success."

Monday night Mr. Maestri issued a statement declaring that all employees of the Conservation Commission, unless they are otherwise notified, "should consider themselves dismissed effective today and the department owes them no salaries."

Earl K. Long, brother of the Governor and one of the attorneys representing Mr. Maestri, informed Dr. Irion shortly after noon Monday that the Militia would be used to remove him from office.

"You have been and are holding this office by main force," Attorney Long told Dr. Irion, "and the militia will be used to remove you."

Attorney Long made this statement while the attorneys for Dr. Irion were waning for Chief Justice O'Niell to act on their application for a writ of supersedeas to the United States Court.

READY TO USE FORCE

Governor Long was of the opinion that Chief Justice O'Niell did not have the author,ty to grant Dr. Irion a suSpensive appeal to the federa courts which would have had the effect of holding Dr. Irion in office for a considerable period of time. It was Governor Long's intent on to use the nuhtia m the event that Chief Justice O'Niell had granted the writ

The only appointment made by Commissioner Maestri Monday was that naming State Senator William A. Duke of the 10th Ward "Assistant to the Commissioner of Conservation."

It was Senator Duke who called together all of the employees in the conservation department's office at 2 p.m. and informed them that they were dismissed, effective at once. Two exceptions were made - William Rankin and Miss Podin Schoenberger of the publicity department.

Senator Duke was attached to the staff of the state supervisor of publica counts until entering the conservation department Monday as Mr. Maestri's assistant.

REHEARING DENIED

It was shortly after 11 o'clock Monday morning that the Louisiana Supreme Court handed down its decision, refusing Dr. Irion's application for a rehearsing on the court's judgement rendered three weeks ago, which decides that the office of Conservation Commissioner belonged to Mr. Maestri.

A certified copy of the Supreme Court's decision was obtained by Attorneys Earl Long and Leander H. Perez. The attorney's, armed with the certified copies met Mr. Maestri in the Civil Courts Building and immediately proceeded to Dr. Irion's office.

Acting as the spokesman, Attorney Perez said: "Dr. Irion the Supreme Court has denied your application for a rehearing. The Supreme Court, in its judgment has ordered you to forthwith turn over physical possession of the office to Mr. Maestri and Mr. Maestri is here to take the office.

-37-

IRION ASKS FOR TIME

Standing at the door of his private office, Dr. Irion said: "I hope you will extend me the courtesy of allowing me to see my attorneys before I do anything. I understand my attorneys, Val Irion and Rene Vlosca, are in the building."

"Why don't you telephone for them at once," Mr. Perez said. "I will do so," Dr. Irion replied, and requested his telephone operator to get his attorneys on the telephone.

In about five minutes Attorneys Vioca and Dr. Irion appeared.

"We are applying for a writ of supersedeas," Attorney Viosca said and we expect it to be acted on by 2 p.m. It is now 1:45 p.m. so we have only about 15 minutes to wait."

FINAL ACTION

The Supreme Court has acted finally in this case," and we have copies here of the court's judgment ordering Dr. Irion to turn the office over to Mr Maestri," "Well if you take possession of this office now, Mr. Viosca replied you will have possession of it only for 15 minutes in the event that Chief Justice O'Niell signs our application for a writ of supersedeas to the U.S. Courts."

Your application for a writ to the Federal Courts is only another move for delay in relinquishing the office," Mr. Perez returned. "Dr. Irion admits that his term expired in July 1928, about a year and a half ago."

"It is not a move for delay," Mr. Viosca said. -We believe there is a federal question involved in this case and it is up to the Supreme Court of the U. S. to decide the question."

As Attorneys Viosca and Perez argued, the Conservation Commission s office became crowded with spectators, including State Senator Thomas McConnell of the Seventeenth Ward and Richard B. Otero, both of whom are slated for appointments by Mr. Maestri. The narrow hallway leading to the commissioner's office quickly was choked with curious spectators, many of whom hold political office under Governor Long, and employes of various departments in the courts building.

Answering Mr. Viosca's intention that a federal question was involved Mr. Perez said, "The Supreme Court in its decision by a vote of five to one, saw no federal question involved. I believe Mr. Maestri, by the Court's order in entitled to take over this office at once;

"Has Judge Mark M. Boatner of the District Court signed the judgment?" Mr. Viosca asked. "I do not know," Mr. Perez responded. Well you cannot execute the judgment of the Supreme Court," Mr. Vioaca said. "It is the judgment of the District Court that must be executed.

A hurried investigation disclosed that Judge Boatner had not yet signed the judgment but did so as soon as he was asked to sign it by Attorney Perez. It was while Attorneys Perez and Viosca left to ascertain if Judge Boatner had signed the judgment that Earl Long informed Dr. Irion the militia would be used to remove him from the office.

"The militia will be here shortly to enforce the order of the Supreme Court," Mr, Long said.

38

Attoryney Long imparted the information that Governor Long had been advised of the Court's decision, and the application for the writ of supersedeas. THe Governor, Earl Long said had ordered the militia mobilized and to proceed to the Conservation Commissioner's Office. While attorneys Viosca and Irion appeared and announced that Chief Justice O'Niell had refused to sign the application for a writ of supersedeas.

"Justice O'Niell's refusal," Attorneys Viosca announced, ends the case.

Dr. Irion will now turn over the office to Mr. Maestri," Mr. Maestri stepped over to the Commisioner's desk. Dr. Irion shook his hand, and wished him luck in the office.

"Good day gentlemen," Dr. Irion said, as he picked up his hat and overcoat, and walked out of the office followed by his attorneys.

Mr. Maestri was overwhelmed with congratulations. Four large baskets of flowers, one from Governor Long were carried in and placed on his desk.

Mr Maestri shook hands with all comers for about five minutes, then forced his way through the crowd, and left the building accompanied by Earl Long. "Senator Duke will be in charge" Mr. Maestri announced, "until I return." Shortly after Mr. Maestri's departure Governor Long appeared.

ALL DISMISSED

Pifteend minutes later, Senator Duke ordered all employed in the office to assemble. When they had gathered outside the door of the commissioners office, Senator Duke announced: -You are all dismiss^ effective at once." '

Auditor Rankin and Miss Schoenberger later were excepted from this order and remained on duty until the office closed at 4 P. M

The office employes immediately began packing up their personal belongings, and quietly moved out.

i A" ^ !f* the j�b SGekerS moved in" Mr- Maestr* returned from lunch but quickly left again, accompanied by Attorney Perez. He announced he was going to the Banks to ascertain how much money the Conservation Department has on deposit. Mr. Maestri did not return from this mission lie telephoned he would not be at his office until 9 o'clock Tuesday morning

Governor Long, who spent more than an hour in the Commissioner's office announced that an audit of the Conservation Department's books would be made to ascertain its financial condition.

"We are going to find out where we are/' Governor Long said and we are gomg to get rid of all those "possum watchers and coon chasers."

JOBS SLATED

From what could be learned from unofficial sources. J. B, Dauenhauer former sheriff of Jefferson Parish, will be appointed as chief of the enforcement dmsi0n. Senator McConnell it is said will be put in charge of the department's fleet of boats.

Philip Gehlbach senior captain of the department's boats who recently

has been serving as supervisor of enforcement in St. Tammany Parish Vf*s dismissed by Dr. Irion Monday morning, but expects to be reinstated by Mr. Maestri. "Irion knew I am a friend of Mr. Maestri's/' Mr, Gehlbach said, "and we haven't got along for some time." Mrs. Lucy Powell Russe � Secretary to the Conservation Commissioner since the administration o Commissioner M. L. Alexander forestalled her dismissal by Senator Du * by writing her resignation to Dr. Irion before he left the office. She walke out as Dr. Irion left. .

While troops were being mobilized at Jackson Barracks, Adjutan General Fleming declined to give reasons for the sudden mobilization a vising inquirers to "go down to the barracks and see what's going on. TEST MOEILIZATION

After the militia was demobilized the adjutant general issued a statement describing the maneuver as a "test mobilization."

"A test mobilization was held at Jackson Barracks this afternoon wi great success," Adjutant General Fleming said. "Detachments were ordere to mobilize from three of the field artillery units, headquarters battery an combat train Battery A and Battery B from Troop 1 of the 108th Cava ry.

"The men mobilized very rapidly, going from their normal business occupations to Jackson Barracks in a very short time. This demonstrates very efficiently what could be done in case of an emergency. Officers �n men carry lists and pass out information very quickly. When it is realize that this test was called during the period of ft busy day, one can rea i y appreciate the real efficiency of the National Guard troops. Besides e mobilization of detachments from the three Batteries and from Troop o he 108th Cavalry the mechanics at Jackson Barracks were called on to Prepare motor transportation. Automobiles and trucks were available within minutes. The men wvr�> equipped with rifles, ammunition and in uniform, and ready to move, within two hours and a half."

FLEMING GRATIFIED

"The Adjutant Gene ral states that he will make a report to the war department of this test as a practical example of what National Guar troops can be expected to do in case of an emergency. At some *utu*e date, it may be practical to hold a mobilization test of the entire Guar . As a matter of fact, the holding of mobilizations of the entire Nationa Guard at stated periods as a practical scheme of getting troops into action is being discussed among a good many military men. Governor Lon� up0*j having the facts of the mobilization reported to him, was delighted, an expressed his appreciation of the fine efficiency of the troops coneerne .

WRIT IS REFUSED

A rehearsing on the judgment that ousted Dr. Irion from the offlC* �* Commissioner of Conservation was refused at 11:10 a. m. and an our later Chief Justice Charles A. O'Niell refused to sign a writ of supersc eaa to the Supreme Court at Washington.

Last month the Supreme Court by a four to three opinion dcciw

Attorney Long imparted the information that Governor Long had been advised of the Court's decision, and the application for the writ of supersedeas. The Governor, Earl Long said had ordered the militia mobilized and to proceed to the Conservation Commissioner's Office. While attorneys for Mr. Maestri were awaiting the arrival of the Militia, Attorneys Viosca and lr.on appeared and announced that Chief Justice O'Niell had refused to sign the application for a writ of supersedeas.

"Justice O'Niell's refusal," Attorneys Viosca announced, ends the case Dr. Irion will now turn over the office to Mr. Maestri." Mr. Maestri stepped over to the Commissioner's desk. Dr. Irion shook his hand, and wished him luck In the office.

"Good day gentlemen," Dr. Irion said, as he picked up his hat and overcoat, and walked out of the office followed by his attorneys

Mr, Maestri was overwhelmed with congratulations. Four large baskets of^flowers, one from Governor Long were carried in and placed on his

Mr. Maestri shook hands with all comers for about five minutes, then forced his way through the crowd, and left the building accompanied by Earl Long. "Senator Duke will be in charge" Mr. Maestri announced, until I return." Shortly after Mr. Maestri's departure Governor Long appeared.

ALL DISMISSED

Fifteend minutes later, Senator Duke ordered all employed in the office to assemble. When they had gathered outside the door of the commissioner's office, Senator Duke announced: "You are all dismissed, effective at once."

Auditor Rankin and Miss Schoenberger later were excepted from this order and remained on duty until the office closed at 4 P. M.

The office employes immediately began packing up their personal belongings, and quietly moved out.

As they left the job seekers moved in. Mr. Maestri returned from lunch but quickly left again, accompanied by Attorney Perez, He announced he was going to the Banks to ascertain how much money the Conservation Department has on deposit. Mr. Maestri did not return from this mission He telephoned he would not be at his office until 9 o'clock Tuesday morning.

Governor Long, who spent more than an hour in the Commissioner^ office announced that an audit of the Conservation Department's books would be made to ascertain its financial condition.

"We are going to find out where we are," Governor Long said, and we are going to get rid of all those "possum watchers and coon chasers."

JOBS SLATED

From what could be learned from unofficial sources. J. B. Dauenhauer former sheriff of Jefferson Parish, will be appointed as chief of the en' forcement division. Senator McConnell it is said will be put in charge of the department's fleet of boats.

Philip Gehlbach senior captain of the department's boats who recently

39

has been serving as supervisor of enforcement in St. Tammany Parish was dismissed by Dr. Irion Monday morning, but expects to be reinstated by Mr. Maestri. "Irion knew I am a friend of Mr. Maestri's," Mr. Gehlbach said, "and we haven't got along for some time." Mrs. Lucy Powell Russell, Secretary to the Conservation Commissioner since the administration of Commissioner M. L. Alexander forestalled her dismissal by Senator Duke by writing her resignation to Dr. Irion before he left the office. She walked out as Dr. Irion left.

While troops were being mobilized at Jackson Barracks, Adjutant General Fleming declined to give reasons for the sudden mobilization advisin-g inquirers to "go down to the barracks and see what's going on."

TEST MOBILIZATION

After the militia was demobilized the adjutant general issued a statement describing the maneuver as a "test mobilization."

"A test mobilization was held at Jackson Barracks this afternoon with great success," Adjutant General Fleming said. "Detachments were ordered to mobilize from three of the field artillery units, headquarters battery and combat train Battery A and Battery B from Troop 1 of the 108th Cavalry.

"The men mobilized very rapidly, going from their normal business occupations to Jackson Barracks in a very short time. This demonstrates very efficiently what could be done in case of an emergency. Officers and men carry lists and pass out information very quickly. When it is realized that this test was called during the period of *. busy day, one can readily appreciate the rcul efficiency of the National Guard troops. Besides the mobilization of detachment!! from the three Batteries and from Troop 1 of he 108th Cavalry the mechanics at Jackson Barracks were called on to prepare motor transportation. Automobiles and trucks were available within 30 minutes. The men were all equipped with rifles, ammunition and in uniform, and ready to move, within two hours and a half."

FLEMING GRATIFIED

"The Adjutant General states that he will make a report to the war department of this test as a practical example of what National Guard troops can be expected to do in case of an emergency. At some future date, it may be practical to hold a mobilization test of the entire Guard. As a matter of fact, the holding of mobilizations of the entire National Guard at stated periods as a practical scheme of getting troops into action is being discussed among a good many military men. Governor Long upon having the facts of the mobilization reported to him, was delighted, and expressed his appreciation of the fine efficiency of the troops concerned,"

WRIT IS REFUSED

A rehearsing on the judgment that ousted Dr. Irion from the office of Commissioner of Conservation was refused at 11:10 a. m. and an hour later Chief Justice Charles A. O'Niell refused to sign a writ of euperwdeM to the Supreme Court at Washington.

Last month the Supreme Court by a four to three opinion declared

40

Dr. Irion was an usurper and in unlawful possession of the office and commanded him to surrender the office to Maestri. The ousted official then applied for a rehearing and submitted briefs in an effort to show that the decision of the High Court was contrary to the law and evidence adduced at the hearing.

In February Governor Long declared there was a vacancy in the office and commissioned Mr. Maestri on February 19. Dr. Irion and his attorneys argued that his term of office did not terminate until July 1 and when Mr. Maestri appeared at the Department of Conservation, Dr. Irion acting on the advice of his lawyers refused to recognize the commission or surrender the office.

At the request of the Governor, Attorney General Percy Saint instituted an intrusion into the office suit. Leandee Perez who was one of the Governor's attorneys at his impeachment trial, was named chief counsel. He was assisted by Earl Long, brother of the Governor,, and Robert Davey. When the suit was first filed, Paul Habans, Commissioner of Public Service was one of the Governor's special attorneys in the ouster proceedings.

At the trial of the suit before Judge Mark M. Boatner in the Civil District Court, Edward Rightor, Rene Vioca and Val Irion, attorneys for Dr. Irion filed technical exceptions. They alleged that Maestri's commission was invalid because Governor Long failed to obtain the advice and consent of the Senate in appointing a successor to Dr. Irion. The exceptions were argued at length and Judge Boatner took the case under advisement. A few days later the exceptions were maintained and the ouster suit dismissed. Judge Boatner ruled that the advice and consent of the Senate was necessary before the Commissioner of Conservation could be appointed.

The Governor's attorneys then appealed to the Supreme Court and tried to obtain a hearing before the Supreme Court adjourned for the vacation term last July. A majority of the Court held the advice and consent of the Senate was not necessary.

Dr. Irion had been in the court almost continuously since he succeeded Joseph Everett as commissioner in 1925. After the death of the late Governor Henry L. Fuqua, O. H. Simpson, who became Governor, charged that the affairs of the Conservation Department were mismanaged and the funds squandered. He demanded the resignation of Dr. Irion and it was refused.

Governor Simpson, through Attorney General Saint and Hugh M. Wilkinson special counsel instituted ouster proceedings. While the case was pending before Judge Boatner, Governor Simpson commissioned Major Frank T. Payne, former chairman of the Louisiana Highway Commission and director of the oyster division of the Conservation Department, as Commissioner of the Department. During the night Major Payne took possession of the office by force and when Dr. Irion and members of his force attempted to gain admittance to the office they were prevented by criminal sheriffs at the office by George Williams, criminal sheriff.

While the office was being guarded Major Payne applied to the Court for an injunction to prevent Dr. Irion from interfering with him in the

41

exercise of his duties as Commissioner of the department. The injunction was refused and Dr. Irion was restored to his office.

The trial of the first ouster suit before Judge Boatner continued for several weeks and then he was ousted from office. On appeal the Supreme Court reversed Judge Boatner.

This case is cited as an example of the subterfuge and ingenuity exercised by the opposing forces in Louisiana politics in an attempt to dominate and control the situation even after defeat at the polls so as to handicap Huey Long.

The facts presented by a bitterly antagonistic newspaper plainly vindicate Huey and eloquently acquit him of any charge of unfairness.

o � ��

IX

With this last victory Huey was now ready to launch his major campaign, the long program of much needed state improvements. So alter months of opposition and using every art and wile at his command he finally put through his huge appropriations for Paved Highways, tree Bridges, free School Books, better Schools, a new State Capital, a new Governor s Mansion, a greater State University, new Buildings for public institutions, such as Hospitals and Asylums, and numerous other projects which have made Louisiana one of the most progressive States.

Huey spent more than $100,000,000. The expenditures were supervised and approved by a committee of citizens. But, despite this fact his^oht.cal adversaries hollered "thief," "burglar," "crook," "grafted ha/.

Huey paid them no heed. He continued on his way He ran for United States Senator and was elected by a huge vote. He held both jobs, Senator and Governor, until he elected his successor to the governorship, O. K. Allen lifetime friend from the place of his birth Wmfield.

There are those who say he has no sentiment. That he is cruel and ruthless But he made his friend, one he could trust, Governor. Huey is all "Iment. He is all heart. He is too good for the foes who trieto put an end to him, the lying hypocrites who pose as benefactors of the people, the tricky pkrUtes in the underworld, and the pious-frauds who try to keep the people submerged while feathering their own nests.

Doing all he could for Louisiana the Kingfish now turned his attention and energies to national affairs. He made the United States senate his new arena in f ghting for the rights and liberties of the people, even to the extent of directly criticizing the President at the peak of his popularity.

As a step towards restoring the wealth of the nation to the people Huey launched his Share-Our-Wealth Society. A statement of its aims and purposes as issued by Huey himself follows:

(Reprint from Congressional Record ��- not printed at Government expense)

PEOPLE OF AMERICA: �

In every community get together at once and organize a;

Share Our Wealth Society

Motto: Every Man A King

PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM

1. To limit poverty by providing that every deserving family shall shore in the wealth of America for not less than one-third of the average wealth, thereby to possess not less than $5,000 free of debt.

2. To limit fortunes to such a few million dollars as will allow the balance of the American people to share in the wealth and profits of the land.

3. Old Age Pensions of $30. per month to persons over 60 years of age who do not earn as much as $1,000. per year or ttfho possess less than $10,000. in cash or property, thereby to remove from the field of labor, in times of unemployment, those who have contributed their share to the public service.

4. To limit the hours of work to such an extent as to prevent overproduction and to give the workers of America some share in the recreations, conveniences and luxuries of life.

5. To balance agricultural production with what can be sold and consumed according to the laws of God, which have never failed.

6. To care for the Veterans of our wars.

7. Taxation to run the government to be supported, first, by reducing big fortunes from the top, thereby to improve the country and provide employment in public works whenever agricultural surplus is such as to render unnecessary, in whole or in part, any particular crop.

SIMPLE AND CONCRETE - NOT AN EXPERIMENT

To share our wealth by providing for every deservingvfamily to have one-third of the average wealth would mean that* at the worst, such a family could have a fairly comfortable home, an automobile and a radio, with other reasonable home conveniences, and a place to educate their children. Through sharing the work, that is, by limiting the hours of toil, so that all would share in what is made and produced in the lanjd, every family would have enough coming in every year to feed, clothe and provide a fair share of the luxuries of life to its members. Such is the result to a family, at the worst.

From the worst to the best there would be no limit to opportunity. One might become a millionaire or more. There would be a chance for talent to make a man big because enough would be floating in the land to give brains Us chance to be used. As it is, no matter how smart a man may be, every

thing is tied up in so few hand, that no amount of energy or talent has a chance to gain any of it.

Would it break up big concerns? No. It would simply mean that, instead of one man getting all the one concern made, that there might be 1,000 or 10,000 persons sharing in such excess fortune, any one of whom, or all of whom, might be millionaires and over.

I ask somebody in every city, town, village, and farm community of America to take this as my personal request to call a meeting of as many neighbors and friends as will come to it, to start a Share-Our-Wealth Society. Elect a President and a Secretary and charge no dues. The meeting can be held at a Court House, in some Town Hall or Public building, or in the home of someone.

It does not matter how many will come to the first meeting. Get a

Society organized, if it has only 2 members. Then let us get to work quick -quick- quick to put an end by law to people starving and going naked in this land of too much to eat and too much to wear, The case is all with us. IT is the work and work of the Lord. THe Gideons had but two men when they organized. Three Tailors of Tooley Street drew the Magna Charta of England. The Lord says:

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."

We propose to help our people into the place where the Lord was their rightful own and no more.

We have waited long enough for these financial masters to do these things. They have promised and promised. Now we find our country Ten Billion Dollars further in debt on account of the depression and big leaders even propose to get 90% of that out of the hides of the common people in the form of a sales tax.

There is nothing wrong with the United States. We have more food than we can eat. We have more clothes and things out of which to make clothes than we can wear. We have more houses and lands than the whole 120,000,000 can use if they all had good homes. So what is the trouble? Nothing except that a handful of men have everything and the balance of the people have nothing if their debts were paid. There should be "Every Man a King" in this land flowing with milk and honey, instead of the Lords of Finance at the top and slaves and peasants at the bottom.

Now be prepared for the slurs and snickers of some high ups when you start your local Spread Our Wealth Society. Also when you call your meeting be on your guard for some smart aleck tool of the interests to come in and ask questions. Refer such to me for an answer to any question and I will send you a copy. Spend your time getting the people to work to save their children and to save their homes, or to get a home for those who have already lost their own.

To explain the title, motto and principles of such a society, I give the full information, viz: -

TITILE: "Share Our Wealth Society" is simply to mean that God's creatures on this lovely American continent have a right to share in the

44

wealth they have created in this country. They have the right to a living with the conveniences and some of the luxuries of this life so long as there are too many or enough for all. They have a right to raise their children m a healthy, wholesome atmosphere and to educate them, rather than to face the dread of their undernourishment and sadness by being denied a real life.

MOTTO : "Every Man a King" conveys the great plan of God and ot the Declaration of Independence which said: "All men are created equal It conveys that no one man is the Lord of another, but that from the head to the foot of every man is carried his sovereignty. _ Now to cover the principles of the Share Our Wealth Society, I give

STOPPED HERE

them in order:

1. To Limit Poverty.

We propose that a deserving family shall share in our wealth of America at least for one-third the average. An average family !s shght y less than 5 persons. The number has become less during depression The Lnited States taUl wealth in normal times is about Four Hundred Billion Dollars, or about $15,000 to the family. If there were a fair distribution of oui things in America, our national wealth would be three or four times the Four Hundred Billions, because a free, circulating wealth is worth many times more than wealth congested and frozen into a few band*, there is he average of $15,000. to the family. We say that we will limit poverty of the SSIP opie. One-third of the average wealth to the family, or $5 000. is a fair Hmit to the depths we will allow any one man's family to fall. None too poor, none too rich.

2. To Limit Fortunes. j The wealth of this land is tied up in a few hands. It makes no differnce how many years the laborer has worked, nor does it make any difference how many dreary rows the farmer has plowed, the wealth he has created is in the hands of manipulators. They have not worked any more than many other people who have nothing. Now we do not propose to hurt these very rich persons. We simply say that when they reach the place of miUionIh-es thev have everything they can use and they ought to let somebody " e have southing. L it is, l-10th of 1 per cent of the bank debtors own nearly half of the money in the banks, leaving 99 9-10 of bank depositors owning the balance. Then 2-3 of the people do not even have a bank account The lowest estimate is that 4* of the people own 85'/, of our wealth. The people cannot ever come to light unless we share our wealth, hence the Society to do it.

3. Old Age Pensions: . , ,

Everyone has begun to realize something must be done for our old people who work out their lives, feed and clothe children and are left pennies fn their declining years. They should be made to look forward to their mature years for comfort rather than fear. We propose that, at the age Z 60 every person should begin to draw a pension from our government of $30 per months, unless the person of 60 or over has an income of over $1 000 per year or is worth $10,000, which is 2-3 of the average wealth m America even figured on a basis of it being frozen into a few hands. Such

ations from finding employment.

the hours and sharing what those ^^^^y is aUowed his share, Machines can never produce oo.much J�JJ work only �

and if it ever got to the point that the / then ised be the

hours per week and still produce ^! clZZ ZuJ to earth. All of us name of the Lord. Heaven wou" be com,ng n - ^ they

S^SM SrUST^M be gentlemen, -.very Man a King." D with Consumption

step planting that particular crop e store the surplus for the

a part of it. Let the government take ojor a ^ Jrf year. If there is not something *. ior the ,g banncdi

other work for them to do to live onlot y� section then let that be the year for ""jfg*"^ � do and taxes off of where the farmers need work There, ,B p^e y any_

5� an of wealth aimost solves

tie whole problem without further trouble.

6. To Care tor Veteran. of Ch�^ ^ ^ ^ iM

a JSStt'mSSEZZ - - �*� -has no means

of support.

7, Taxation: government's support Taxation is to be levied fit**the **^^cipany through taxa

and expenses. Swollen Avenues it derives after allow

tion. The government shou d be run^ro g ^ ^ ^ ^ man.

ing persons to becotte '^*Su si.e and at the same time

-a without debts

" 7, � �nw aTe America must take one of

Things cannot continue as they now are. Ame

^IS, ruled by financial masters - a modern feudalism.

2. Communism. he land among all the peo

46

The Lord prescribed the last form. It would preserve all our grains, share them among our population, guarantee a greater country and a happy people.

The need for such Share Our Wealth Society is to spread the truth among the people and to convey their sentiment to their members of Congress.

Whenever such a local Society has been organized, please send me notice of the same so that I may send statistics and data which such local Society can give out in their community, either through word of mouth in meetings, by circulars or, when possible, in local newspapers.

Please understand that the Wall Street controlled public press will give you as little mention as possible and will condemn and ridicule your efforts. Such makes necessary the organizations to Share the Wealth of this land among the people, which the financial masters are determined they will not allow to be done. Where possible, I hope those organizing a society in one community, will get in touch with their friends in other communities and get them to organize societies in them. Anyone can have copies of this article reprinted in circular form to distribute wherever they may desire, or, if they want me to have them printed for them, I can do so and mail them to any address of 60c per hundred or $4. per thousand copies.

I introduced in Congress and supported other measures to bring about the sharing of our wealth when I first reached the United States Senate in January, 1932. The main efforts to that effect polled about 6 votes in the Senate at first. Last spring my plan polled the votes of nearly 20 U. S. Senators, becoming dangerous in proportions to the financial lords. Since then I have been abused in the newspapers and over the radio for everything under the sun. Now that I am pressing this program the lies and abuse in the big newspapers and over the radio are a matter of daily occurrence. It will all become greater with this effort. Expect that. Meantime, go ahead with the work to organize a Share Our Wealth Society.

Sincerely, HUEY P. LONG,

U. S. Senator.

I will go to people who know me and who personally know of the work I have done, for the money that it will take for the expenses I will have to bear in this* work, because, if any such things as dues were collected from members for such expenses, the thieves of Wall Street and their newspapers, and radio liars would immediately say that I had a scheme to get mone,y.

HUEY P. LONG.

�17

X

indicated the Share-Our Wealth Society emanated from Huey's aim to bring equality to all humanity. This fact is emphasized m his book -Every Man A King." This volume is very ulummatmg and clearly presents the real Huey P. Long. A review written at the time of its first edition and published in the New Orleans Democrat follows:

"Every Man A King"

- At last we have an authentic story of Huey P. Long, written by himself, in the autobiography "Every Man A King." J ,

Undoubtedly the title was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson 3 immortal lines: "The world is so full of a number of things we all should be happy

� kThat sums up Huey's philosophy and gives the spirit of the book. No person can read it without becoming a confirmed follower of the author in his aim to re-distribute the concentrated wealth of the country from the hands of a few to the homes of the many.

From the very beginning this great story rings with sincerity and immediately captures the interest of the reader. It also proves beyond the slightest doubt that Huey's fight against -horded wealth IS agt *XL3&*night ballyhoo but a life-long battle started when he first entered jmblic life fifteen years ago.-This fact is borne out in a letter published in the New Orleans Item, March 1, 1918, which outlines Huey's challenge against the concentration of wealth. The text of the letter is almost identical to Senator Long's present-day speeches.

The book also relates how Oscar K. Allen, a life-long fnend, financed Huey's first campaign for Railroad Commissioner in 1918 with a loan of $500 which the present governor borrowed from the Winnfield bank. It Iho tells how in 1919 the Standard Oil prevented Huey from becoming a millionaire after he had secured equities and options on numerous independent oil wells in the Shreveport area by refusing to transport the independent oil in the company's pipe-lines. .

This started Huey on the greatest career in the history of American politics and resulted in the private embargo being lifted several year, later after the pipelines were declared common carriers by legislative action.

Then kere is the interesting account of how Huey helped swing North Louisiana for Parker in 1920 and how the latter after inaugura ion as governor disregarded his pledges to Huey by ignoring his pre-election promtaes to the people, including legislation against the oil trust pipelines

aild t*J*M7^**** chapters reveal the facts behind the telephoned C*S In WW* H � a rebate of; 1467,000 for the people

and saved th. than a milll0n doiraTS.a y�V�

duced rates; i ��port street railway in which Hue,

qu " ' .tear fare; the victory for natural gas emerged victo

for New Orleans; the free school books; the paved highways; the free bridges; the new state buildings; the defeat of Ransdell; the election of 0. K. Allen; the sinking of Eroussard; the rehabilitation of the hospitals and asylums; the complete rout of his enemies; and finally, his national fight for the re-distribution of concentrated wealth.

One chapter which will be read with avid interest by his erstwhile enemies is that concerning Huey's own version of the impeachment proceedings. The details of this chapter are well worth the reasonable price of the book, which Huey insisted in holding at one dollar instead of five dollars as his close advisors are said to have urged. Huey's aim, of course, being merely to spread the truth and not make a huge profit from the heavy sale of "Every Man A King."

Editorial Note: The Hon. Hugh S. Suthon, eminent New Orleans jurist, after reading the fore-going review prior to publication said: "It would be appropriate to add one more paragraph stating that the exceptional genius of Senator Long and his splendid service to the state and nation is well demonstrated in the honorary degree of doctor of laws conferred upon him by Loyola University. To receive such an honor the recipient must necessarily be a man of merit. That Senator Long has been of extra-ordinary service to his people is beyond question. In my humble opinion he is the greatest governor we have ever had and one of the greatest statesmen in the history of the United States.*'

In concluding this review, we wish to state that we heartily concur in Judge Suthon's opinion. Furthermore, we believe that Louisiana and the United States would reap still greater benefits from the energies of Huey P. Long if instead of trying to tear him down the leading men would join hands in trying to build him up. With such encouragement Huey would accomplish wonders and undoubtedly eventually reach the highest post of honor in this nation, which would mean that the people of the entire United States would enjoy all the advantages now showered upon Louisiana. It would mean that this wonderful country would come back into its own as the leading democracy of the world, a position it once held before the World War, when all classes received equal consideration in the political administration of this Great Nation.

49

XI

Many persons have wondered how Huey developed such personal power. They ask each other the secret of this great man's success. The answer to their question is contained in a speech delivered in the United States Senate by Senator Long, March 5, 1935. An excerpt from this speech as published in the national newspaper "The American Progress," follows:

"Mr. President, I am not undertaking to answer the charge that I am ignorant. It is true. I am an ignorant man. I have had no college education. I have not even had a high school education. But the thing that takes me far in politics is that I do not have to color what comes into my mind and into my heart. I say it unvarnished. I say it without veneer. I have not the learning to do otherwise, and therefore my ignorance is often not detected.

"I know the hearts of the People because I have not colored my own. T know when I am right in my own conscience. I do not talk one way in the cloakroom and another way out here. I do not talk one way back there in the hills of Louisiana and another way here in the Senate.

"I have one language. Ignorant as it is, it is the universal language within the sphere in which I operate. Its simplicity gains pardon for my lack of letters and education.

"Nonetheless my voice will be the same as it has been. Patronage will not change it. Fear will not change it. Persecution will not change it. It cannot be changed while people suffer. The only way it can be changed is to make the lives of these people decent and respectable. No one will ever hear political opposition out of me when that is done."

XII

Probably the best brief review of the aims, achievements, character and career of Huey P. Long is contained in a characteristic radio address delivered by Huey himself over his favorite station WDSU at New Orleans. This address as reported by the New Orleans Item-Tribune, (Sunday, April 14th, 1935) often opposed to Huey, follows:

LONG ON THE AIR

Talks On Many Subjects

Speaking for three hours over WDSU and a Shreveport station, Senator Huey Long last night covered familiar ground and, in answering questions

at the end of his talk told friends there was nothing new he could say, having been making speeches and writing newspaper articles since he was a boy.

He evaded questions as to policemen and firemen's pay, and refused to reply, except by referring the query back to its source, to a question on whether the legislature will met Monday.

Senator Long began his address with the usual request to listeners to summon their friends to the radio, and the singing of the song, "Every

Man a King." J

He gave a review of the telephone rate reduction case in which he appeared as attorney for the Public Service Commission, claiming that the reduction amounted to $661,000.

ELECTRIC RATES NEXT Reductions of the New Orleans electricity rates, he said, are next on the program.

"You have been told not to let any outsiders come in and wake up the saints and disturb ancient institutions," he declared. The free bridge and free schoolbook, innovations, however, he said, resulted in no catastrophies, and New Orleans public schools now depend on state money. Insurance rates at the port of New Orleans," he declared, "were reduced under him from $1.25 to 26 cents per $1000, and he was head of the organization which upset the rate schedule which was preferential to Galveston,

The port of New Orleans and other ports, he continued, have suffered because of the collapse of international commerce in cotton, wheat and meat, in which foreign countries are now competing, while sold in greatly reduced quantities abroad. Only his efforts, he said, kept the port alive at all.

�l'm going to tell you what a menace the bankers of New Orleans have been," he said/"and what the 'Assassination of Commerce' has done to the city."

He read what he said was evidence offered by A. B. Patterson, president of the New Orleans Public Service Inc., in the rate case.

This showed that from 1930 back, sales per person in cities like Kansas City amounted to $875 per year, a figure corresponding with the record for other cities, going down to $525 in San Antonio, and $500 in other places, but in New Orleans only $350 per person, the lowest in any city in America. This small volume of business, he said, existed under "ring government in New Orleans.

DRIVES AT A. OF C.

The Association of Commerce, he averred, failed to advertise any of the improvements he brought, but said he was wrecking the state.

New Orleans has no industries to speak of, he said, not primarily tor lack of foreign capital, but because the banks in New Orleans were interwoven with politics and outside financial control and "blasted anyone who tried to develop a business here, in order to take over his business.

Railroad switching charges, he said, were so high that no busmen could pay them, so business men would attempt to reduce them, and such rail

road lawyers" as J. Blanc Monroe, "who has also a high muckety-muck in the banks," would have them harassed financially. Forty businesses were killed in that way, he said.

Maximum switching costs in Houston are $8, he continued, while similar service here might cost $50, more than to ship the same carload from Kansas City to New Orleans.

The banks, he said, had loaned on good collateral, but the depression depreciated values. Although no bankers ever voted for him, he continued, he tried to,help them, trying to get the President to guarantee deposits without closing the banks, conferring with him during the crisis several times.

TELLS OF HIS EFFORTS

"But it was very hard to get Mr. Roosevelt to see," he continued. "They brought in Mr. Roosevelt's bank law March 5, without showing it to anybody for more than a few minutes before it was read. I saw that he had leit out the state banks, like the Canal, Whitney Trust, Hibernia, American and most of the banks in Louisiana. I wrote an amendment while the clerk was reading the law allowing the state banks to reopen. I fought for that tor two hours and lost, but I went back the next day and the next, and I went to President Roosevelt who told me everything would be all right the next day. But they fought me like 10,000 wild Indians. So I went back agam and again, until finally I said I would make my fight on the floor of the Senate. The upshot was they sent down an amendment taking care of the state banks, and there would not be a state bank open without by fight.

"They said the Whitney bank could open, but refused to let the Canal open They gave the Hibernia bank a permit to open. Thereupon I asked all the other banks not to open that .lay until 1 could get them to permit the Canal bank to open and arrange tor the other bank, to take care of the Interstate.

-Mr Hecht said be would not dare let the Hibernia bank open before the others, because it would be wrecked. Mr. Legier of the American was also willing. .

"I spent several thousands of dollars telephoning those nights but Mr. Monroe of the Whitney said 'Oh, no, we will open,' and that tailed the chances for the others, although I got the ruling a few days later which would have enabled them all to open. The only man in New Orleans today who^� responsible for the Canal bank not opening up and paying 100 cents on the dollar, and the Hibernia and the Interstate is none other than J. Blanc Monrie, this railroad lawyer whom they used to drive industry after industry out of the city.

"NEFARIOUS CHOCTAW CLUB"

"He has ruled one way and then another on the same law. He has been wrapped up with the nefarious Choctaw club, and he is sitting up now like a duke or lord, and if it was not for me they would strangle out what little

life there is left. That is the situation. New Orleans has been destroyed from within.

"For many years I have desisted from stating these facts publicly, but it has gotten so that this gang of political boodlers, with this Blanc Monroe as an intermediary between the lowest form of politics and rapacious finance, that we can't get our own capital loaned to our people. Materials leave here and are manufactured and shipped back and sold here."

He repeated here the retail sales figures.

"You need a dose of Huey Long in the city hall, although I haven't time to do it myself. I could have a friend of mine in there now, but I'm not coming in until the business people see they need me."

ATTACKS OTHERS

He then launched into an attack on Mayor Walmaley, John Sullivan, TJIte Burke, "Co" Desmare and others.

"They started around here giving me silverware and ended almost giving me the gate � or the penitentiary; I could take my choice/* he continued.

He described the impeachment proceedings: "I laid about me with a broomstick, and when I got through there were plenty of bloody heads and I was on top."

He said he had liberated the police. "We have taken the police department out of politics," he said, "and it will never be used as a means of political persecution. I started out to give the city a police department that wasn't under me."

He reviewed the organization of his police board. When the members themselves attacked the constitutionality of their appointments, he said, he reorganized the board again and put Long men in. "So we've got a board and we have taken the police department and fire department out of politics. Of course they did plenty of things they shouldn't when they were under the hammer of Walmsley and the ring, butl told them they could be honest and lawful now, and nothing in their past would be held against them, and they said they were glad.

NOT ONE HIRED OR FIRED

"We haven't hired or fired a man. They arrested my own brother and locked him up all night in a filthy cell and never filed charges against him."

BOASTS HIS PLAN

He then veered into a declaration that the Huey Long plan was sweeping the country, and was receiving vast publicity althoug'h the New Orleans newspapers only said that he had had words with a man who didn't like the color of his hair.

"It looks like the Picayune is going to put the old Item out of business,"

We're going to let them do it, then we're going to throw the PicaBlue Buzzard, and stew it and fry it to a turn.

"Mtl toosevelt has every man he can spare out making speeches again- lucy Long Share the Wealth Society."

"I haven't got time to pay attention to all this small fry, these Cabinet members. They have long since ceased to say that what I want can't be done and now they say I will be a menace in the Presidential campaign. There is only one way they can keep me out of the campaign, by putting in my program. It's going to be a sad time for them when the presidential election comes if they don't."

He-said they had been assuming that there was no choice but the old political parties. "We are liable to take over both the Republican and Democratic parties. We may put ahare-the-wealth candidates and win in both primaries.

"We are going to have more members than both parties. I was elected Governor without either of the old factions in Louisiana. We are liable to take both parties and unite them, calling our organization the Share-theWealth society, Democratic branch, Republican branch and independent."

He then repeated the share-the-wealth promises.

AS FOR DUST STORMS

He said such calamities as dust storms, floods and other acts of God could be taken care of "very easily." He said the dust storms were caused by lowering the water level. The United States Army engineers plan, he declared, is a completion of the plan his board of engineers inaugurated, to have reservoirs in the North for irrigation and power, eliminating the dust storms and reducing the uaU r level here so much that the levees could be eliminated, "and yo\l could drive along and see the river."

That would also take care of unemployment, he added.

He said there was no agricultural surplus, the country never having produced as much food as the department of agriculture a>ch**ed was necessary for proper diet, nor enough cotton to clothe the people properly.

Present regulation, he said, was not on the basis of what was needed, but how much money there was to buy, while the money was "in the hands of the Morgans and Baruchs."

"It isn't a government, it's St. Vitus' dance," he concluded.

QUOTES FROM BIBLE

Under the Long program, he declared, if surpluses in the agricultural goods were ever built up the country would stop growing for a year, letting the ground lie fallow and concentrating on public works.

He said that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, lingering over the name, had spent more than $1,000,000,000 more than all government expenditures, from Washington to President Wilson. Private debts, too, he said were go

ing up and up so that the total now is more than $265,000,000,000, including both public and private obligations.

Quoting the Lord's prayer and passages from Deuteronomy from the King James Bible, which he called "the official version of the Bible," he said it was defiance of God's law not to forgive debts every seven years and not to redistribute the wealth every 50 years. The founders of the republic, he continued, gave similar counsel.

He said he spoke in Philadelphia at a meeting last week in a hall which held 25,000 and had never been filled, and 30 minutes before he was to speak the doors had to be closed to keep the auditorium from being overcrowded.

He began answering questions.

He evaded a question on when the firemen and police would be paid, saying that as long as the Ring government was in power that was in doubt, and he did not know when it would be taken over.

ABOUT STREET CARS

He said he could not do anything about reducing carfares because fewer people were riding street cars, which he said were "antiquated".

He denounced a suggestion for a sales tax because he said the poor pople would have to pay it.

He dismissed a suggestion for a free port at New Orleans, saying it was already the nearest free in the country.

Asked what happened to the Bayou St. John beautification bill to which the police bill was attached as a rider. The project was lost by the Ring government, he said.

He told a woman inquirer that she would be entitled to the homestead tax exemption whether the house was in hers or her husband's name. He said he did not know how much the exemption would be this year, but would eventually reach $2000. The exemption fund is being built up from the proceeds of lieu taxes, he explained, some of which are still tied up m court. "We are going to give the law a liberal interpretation and include everybody/' he said.

To a query about the Home Owners* Loan association policies, he said the agency was in the hands of crooks and thugs and he could not predict what they would do.

GASOLINE PRICES

He said rising gasoline prices were beyond his control. Asked about Motorcycle Policeman Escude, suspended after arresting his son for speeding, Senator Long said another policeman with Escude tried to persuade Escude that the boys were driving only 20 miles an hour. In addition, he declared Escude had "waylaid his house several nights'1

that a bullet was fired into his home, and that its calibre corresponded to that of the policeman's gun.

Asked about the bonus, he said he was one of the men who could have got over there and faced those bullets, but "preferred not to do it."

To "two admirers," he said he could not say anything they had not heard him talk about*

To "The Associated Press/* he evaded a query about a special session of the legislature reported called for Monday.

In answer to a question whether NRA regulations should be followed by small business men, he said he thought the legislation was unconstitutional, and if he were running a business he would "tell them to go to hell."

One W. S. Johnson congratulated him on the work he had done for the Negroes and for making it possible for Negroes to register. He answered that he had not changed the registration laws,

From this review you can plainly see how the press tries to twist Huey's words so as to put him in a bad light with the people. It also proves that truth is so inflexible that it cannot be bent to suit the whims of the exploiters of the people.

56

XIH

o the radio Huey finds the circular one of the most effective means in conveying his messages to the people. These circulars are printed in large type on white book paper and delivered to the door of every person in Louisiana. It is estimated that Huey can write a circular adj�ve it distributed throughout the state within twenty-four hours. A typical circular as issued recently by Huey follows:

TAKE THE MONEY

VOTE AS YOU PLEASE!

To the People of Louisiana: �

In about the year 1920 or 1921 a very prominent lady social worker came to see me in my office at Shreveport. She said to me about these words �

"Listen' I've just come here to look at you and ask if you really in your heart mean the things you are saying. Tell me, do you mean it or not?"

The last time I saw that lady she reminded me that I had looked up from my desk and replied: �

"Honestly, lady, if you don't know, how do I know.'

Fifteen years have passed. I've looked back over the records. Everything I advocated in those days, which could be done by a State government, has been done. Everything else I advocated then, which a State gove nment could not do, but which must be done by the Congress, �i Washington, I have been trying to do there. Some of these things have be*n done since I went to Washington. But we are now down to the last part of it the redistribution of wealth so that none shall have too much and none shall have too littie for life and comfort. That is a thousand times bigger problem than everything else I have ever tried to do put together. It seemed impossible rYdkulous and absurd to try to do such a thing when I firs, started that fighi But, today, I am more sure of success for the R^tnbnUon of Wealth^than l ever was of providing free school books for school children^ EX la^fight I will have to make to see the people of

of the things our laws, both of God and man, said they should have. Life,

Liberty and Happiness".

It could be my vanity that makes me work and fight for these thing*, , have favored and now favor. Maybe, after all, my enemies arc r ght

n � no. any de,p feeling that I have for schools or school chddren that

57

caused me to want to give students free books or see them educated; maybe it's not any love for humanity which I have that causes me to sponsor this plan that all people should have a home and the comforts of a home, a good living and the chanee to give all their children education and training even through jcollefiE; maybe it's no love of mine for the eau�u of distressed humanity that causes me to work out such laws as the debt relief statute so that the last thing a person has cannot be sold for a debt which he cannot pay; it may all be that I simply want to have the vanity and pride in my heart satisfied so that I can say that I did those things, � but what matters? I would use any person on earth whom I thought of service to help do good of that kind, regardless of his motive, If I saw a wagon going my way, as long as it goes that way, I would ride in it, no matter who was driving the wagon.

But when I read or hear of some supposed-to-be smart person saying that it is impossible to guarantee a comfortable home and living for all the people that I am insincere in trying to do it: When I hear of them saying that it is foolish to talk about Redistribution of Wealth of this country so that none shall have too much and none too little: then I say, it is not I whom they call insincere and impractical, but what they say is to call the words of God foolish; what they say is to make a lie out of the Declaration of Independence and a fraud out of the Constitution of the United States; what they say makes the Pilgrim fathers, who landed at Plymouth in 1620, a bunch of yokels, although they did succeed in building a new country on the very same principles I urge today. They who denounce what I say ought to see to it that the names of Moses, Jesus Christ, Confucius, Socrates, Plato, Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, James Madison Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan are never again mentioned in any school room, for all those persons said the same things and advocated the same laws for which they would condemn me today.

God said that ever so often our wealth had to be redistributed and our people released from their debts, and that, if his statutes were kept: �

"Ye shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace to the land, and ye shall lis down, and none shall make you afraid." (Leviticus Chapter 26).

The signers of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, said that the purpose of this government was to guarantee "life, liberty and happiness'* and that, when a government failed to do it, that such government ought not to last any longer. Here are the words:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is

the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

The Constitution of the United States of 1787, on which George Washington took the oath as the first president of this country in 1789, was to carry out this pledge of our Declaration of Independence for life, liberty and happiness". The preamble added: �

"Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

The Pilgrim fathers in their compact of July 1st, 1620, written on board the Mayflower, had declared just one hundred and fifty years before the Revolutionary War that every seven years they would level to the ground, cancel all the debts they held against one another, and divide up everything they had accumulated absolutely equally. Their law was at least three hundred times more radical than anything for which I stand today.

But there are some who are so smart as to say that the words of the Lord are foolish, that the words of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution of-the United States are meaningless, that the Pilgrim tattlers were a set of block-heads, and that to talk about a redistribution of Wealth is idle and vain.

Divine law and our founders, and the history of mankind tell us, that the wealth has been redistributed time end time again, and that it must be done again and again. But there are yet the defenders of concentrated wealth who say that people must starve in the land of too much to eat, that they must go naked in the land of too much to wear, and homeless in the midst of plenty. Now, whose talk sounds like the fool?

Everything I ever have advocated has been criticized by some who have *aid- � "It cannot be done". I can remember when they would hurrah my supporters off the streets for daring to say they believed I would ever provide free school books for school children. And when we said we would have free bridges and paved roads everywhere, costing the people no more to have them than they were paying to not have them, some naturally said that anyone who believed such a thing was crazy and that we were rascals for fooling people into believing it. Seeing is not believing for some few of them yet, when for a three dollar license tag they ride over a paved road and a free bridge, where for a fifteen dollars license tag they used to ride on a dirt road and pay to cross a ferry.

If every man and woman in Louisiana (who has comfort and life to gain from the Share our Wealth program), will simply take up this work, so that I can have my time left in the other forty-seven states, I can make the torchlight a burning fire in every hamlet in America before we elect another President and Congress. In more than half the States of the Union our pro

gram is the principal issue before the people. I need time to spend in tha balance of the United States where they are calling for me.

But the multi-millionaires and the billionaires and their crooked United States government politicians (and there have never been so many lowdown crooks and scoundrels in the United States offices as there are now), � these elements are using everything they can to keep me so closely tied down in Louisiana that I will not have the time to work in the United States Senate and in the other forty-seven States. They have spent millions of dollars in Louisiana for that purpose already. There are several hundred men who for three years and who right now are running all over Louisiana trying to rake up income tax persecutions on people who have been friendly to me.

The Roosevelt administration has already run the public debt of the United States to thirty billions of dollars, not including the last five billion dollars. Over and above that sum our people still owe other public and private debts amounting to another two hundred and thirty billion dollars. That means that every man, woman and child in America owes over two thousand dollars apiece. The masters of finance figure that the common people will have to pay all this money with their blood like they have done up to now. As to the other five billion dollars which the United States has appropriated for them to spend: that money will be used, like they used the balance of it, mostly for their politics. Let nobody be fooled. They never give anybody any money one day after election. They only pay it out before election. After election does not count. What's more they are raking the United States treasury empty this time to save themselves. So, let everybody in Louisiana understand that every dime they ever get out ou this five billion dollars of boodle money must be in their pocket before they drop their ballot in the box. After that they will give no one a dime for anything, no matter what they promise. I know because I was promised and promised until election, and then it all went up in smoke.

The first use they mak<' of this five billion dollar slush fund will be to flood Louisiana with money. Ef we work it right we can have some good times here until election. Their side has already announced the sum of one hundred seventy million dollars to spend in Louisiana against Huey Long. That is seventeen hundred dollars apiece for one hundred thousand persons they will want to buy, and still it is a mere bagatelle for them. They have thirty times that much money left to spend in the balance of the United States after they get through with Louisiana. If they can end the trouble that the multi-millionaires and billionaires have over fearing they will have to give up some of their billions of dollars from the fortunes wtoich they do not need, then any kind of price is cheap that they may have to pay to wreck this movement that started in Louisiana.

So this crowd from Washington will call in the crooks and thugs of Louisiana, who, before the year 1928, squandered one hundred million dollars of our money for roads, but built no roads; they will call in the crooked set who tried to fo/ce toll bridges which would have cost eight dollars and

forty cents to cross them both ways on one trip instead of the free bridges we built; they will call in the crowd who fought the free school books, the paved roads and the homestead tax relief; they will call in the rascals who handled the Home Owner's Loan money and who grabbed as much as % of that money in some cases. The suffering people had to stand for them to take that much of the Home Loan money so as to get the other one-fourth they needed so badly. They will call in the thieves and thugs who have protected the exorbitant telephone and public utility rates; they will call in the set that would sell the people of Louisiana and of the balance of the United States into a slavery to the financial masters that is five times worse than the colored man's slavery before 1860; they will call in that set of grafters, grabbers, murderers, � the plunderers, thugs and racketeers, � the lowdown lying whelps of they can steal an advantage against sending humanity to destruction if they can steal an advantage for themselves. These are the ones who will be sent to buy their brothers to make a sale of themselves and their children into slavery and into hell forever.

And to make matters worse, if they succeed, the money they will use to buy the poor people into bondage will be wrung out of the same people's blood and out of the blood of their children and their children's children. The infant that breathes the first breath of life would already be born into financial bondage, just like the negro children were sold into slavery before their birth prior to 1860.

How cheap have the financial masters of America made human flesh and blood! An ordinary negro slave brought about two thousand dollars in slave times. A negro child was born a slave before it breathed the first breath of life because it's father and mother were slaves. Now, for less money, they would have both the white and black children to be doomed to a worse curse than ever affected the negro alone in slave times.

What boots it all with them! They will draw the whip over the bodies of our people and cut the blood from their hides and the hides of their children for years to come; they are doing it now; the mass of humanity, which the money masters may need for common fodder, will be driven on like peons; they will wring out of the misery and sufferings of our people not only enough to pay back the one hundred and seventy millions of dollars they will spend in Louisiana, but many times that sum if they can only put a stop to the move begun here to "share our wealth" in the whole United States.

Our plan to fight this situation is the same one we have always used; to arrange so that our people can go get this big money and then go to the polls and vote for whom they please without anybody being able to tell how they vote. We are going to strengthen our laws to guard this secrecy of the ballot.

Our enemies started the system of dummy candidates. Then we used dummy candidates because we had to fight the devii with fire. Then they

| mse we used Dummy Candidates in Overton's lg the very same thing. We joined them to pass a1 system of dummy candidates, and these enemies Lt before we could get the law passed these enemies turned and fought the law they had written. We had to pass that law in spite of them. But a few months later they used their dummy candidates in the City of New Orleans for the fall election in T$34 in spite of the law.-Then we had to fight it out with their side using the dummies and our side without them. We managed to win anyway*

It is time when we must protect our people with laws like they have in the other states to avoid this same condition the next time. The other states provide for boards in all parishes {counties) to name Commissioners so as to avoid practices and tricks of that kind.

So now we ask our people everywhere, let us all get busy to have our friends to keep their mouths shut and to get hold of all this boodle money that we can. And when one of our crowd slips on the inside, help your feUow man to get it, too. Then help us to conduct a genuine secret election so that all may vote without anyone ever knowing how they voted. We will beat them so badly they will wonder what it is all about. But we must be smart nntil election day. On that day we can all open up and give them the horse laugh, because there will not be any chance of getting any more out of them anyway.

The main part of this fight must be done now. No one can vote unless he goes to the sheriff'st office before May 31st and signs his name in both tht 1934 and 1935 poll books. He must get a poll receipt for both these years 1934 and 1935, and the same person must be registered with the Registrar of Voters. This applies to all men and women. For humanity's sake get all our people (especially all our women folk) to go and sign the 1934 and 1935 poll books before May 31st and also get them to register m the Registrar of Voter's office.

We have at last succeeded in our fight to have the right to vote free. Our people can now fight for themselves without having to pay to do it. I ask everybody to please see that all of our people exercise that right. Get them to qualify to vote before it is too late.

If the people of Louisiana can care for this fight in Louisiana, I can take my time fur work in the balance of the United States. We have liberated our people in Louisiana only as far as a state law will do it. The balance of it and in fact, the real good can only be done by what the Congress in Washington does. Please take up the fight in Louisiana and help to give me time to make the fight there and in the balance of America.

Yours sincerely,

HUEY P, LONG.

THE END

Copyrighted 1935 All Rights Reserved In U. S., Great Britain And Canada

Notes

1. Capuchin A Catholic friar.

Text prepared by:

• Selah Keene
• Bailey Lunsford
• Aubrey Maxey

Spring Quarter 2020-2021 Group:

• Joscelyn Collins
• Kaitlyn Crosby
• Theadora Dawson

Winter Quarter 2021-2022 Group:

• Isabella Dunbar
• Hannah Hendry

Winter Quarter 2022-2023 Group:

Jasmine Batiste

Johnnie Ellis

Mallorie Phillips

Source

Cable, George Washington. "Posson Jone'" and P�re Rapha�l: With a New Word Setting Forth How and Why the Two Tales Are One. Illus. Stanley M. Arthurs. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909. Google Books. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://books. google.com/books?id=bzhLAAAAIAAJ>.

L’Anthologie  Louisianaise