"Senator Long's Idea"

Conspicuously present at the dedication of Louisiana State University's new $2,500,000 Medical Center in New Orleans last May was Louisiana's self-styled political "kingfish," Senator Huey Pierce Long. Conspicuously absent were officials of Tulane University, who thought Senator Long was meddling with medical education for political reasons, that nearby L. S. U. was a trespasser in New Orleans. Last week Louisiana's simmering medical pot boiled over.

In sweltering New Orleans Dean Arthur A. Vidrine of L. S. U.'s medical center announced the appointment of Dr. Urban Maes as professor of surgery and chief of the surgical department of L. S. U. Dr. Maes, nationally known cancer expert, has been a member of the Tulane faculty since 1906. Tulanians gasped with astonishment. So did Dr. Emmett Lee Irwin, who had not resigned from the positions to which Dr. Maes was appointed. He immediately announced he would not give up his job without a court fight. Said he:

"When a certain proposal [that Dr. Maes supplant him] was first made to me it was made by Senator Long seated in the Governor's chair and in the presence of Professor James Monroe Smith [president of L. S. U.] and Dean Vidrine. Both Senator Long and Dr. Vidrine . . . desired me to remain connected with the school. Dr. Vidrine . . . disclaimed any blame for the idea and said: 'I am satisfied with everything as it is. This is Senator Long's idea.' "

Snapped Dean Vidrine: "If Dr. Irwin doesn't know how people are removed from office in Louisiana he is about the only one who doesn't. If he doesn't know and wants to find out, all he has to do is wait around and find out."

Senator Long: "I am sorry Dr. Irwin had to bring me into this."

Dr. Irwin said Senator Long had repeatedly offered him other jobs to get him out of his position. To these offers he replied: "Huey, you are materialistic."

Other members of the L. S. U. medical faculty threatened to resign unless Dr. Irwin were retained. Two did so. At Tulane all stayed serene.

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