De Gaulle Meets Antic Earl Long

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29193, 2 May 1960, Page 11

De Gaulle Meets Antic Earl Long

NEW ORLEANS. April 30. President Charles de Gaulle rushed through the last hectic hours of his United States visit yesterday, smiling wanly at the antics of Louisiana’s Governor. Mr Earl K. Long. President de Gaulle and his wife, Yvonne, left the United States last night for French Guiana, bringing to an end the 11-day visit to North America. Governor Long spat in his ashtray, at a luncheon for General de Gaulle and then engaged in a brief wrestling bout with an admiral that nearly had the French leader shoved into a dinner plate. Then the madcap Governor, who will go out of office in two weeks, made a short speech in which he said: “When the Great Scorer comes to write against General de Gaulle’s name. He won't write whether he won or lost, but how he played the game.” Then he clapped his floppy straw hat on his head and marched out of the room before the luncheon was over. The luncheon guests applauded and cheered. In his own address. President de Gaulle observed that “the honourable Earl Long, Governor

of Louisiana, unfortunately has left us before the end of our luncheon but I would like to say how touched I was by his very friendly words.” There was again applause and laughter. Governor Long fidgeted and chain-smoked in a chair six seats from President de Gaulle before the food was served. While eating, he spat unerringly into his ashtray and then, in the middle of the meal he jumped up and scurried over to the French leader.

He grabbed the startled General by the shoulders as a French security officer motioned him to sit down. At the same time, a retired United States Navy man. Admiral Arthur de la Housaaye. seated next to President de Gaulle, leaped up grabbing Governor Long by the shoulder. Governor Long still had President de Gaulle in hit grip and in the brief struggle, the General nearly was pushed into his meal. Governor Long ended the impasse by plumping down in Admiral de la Houssaye's chair, which had been pulled out behind President de Gaulle. He and the President then ehatted for a moment. President de Gaulle trying to eat and talk over his shoulder. The President appeared apprehensive and gave a sickly smile. Governor Long then got up and went back to his own chair.