Stentorian Dialogue

Trumpet-loud, trumpet-blasty is the voice of New Hampshire's Senator Charles William Tobey, Republican. As a member of the Senate Campaign Expenditures Committee he investigated vote-fraud charges in New Jersey, found conditions that made him peal with indignation. Last week his brassy solo became a duet when Boss Frank Hague stalked into the committee's hearings (a subpoena had brought him). Boss Hague proved to be no piccolo player himself.

Sallow face crimson, fists waving, Frank Hague yelled denials that there had been any ballot-box stuffing, fraudulent voting, terrorizing of voters in Hudson County. Sample lines from the script:

Hague: "You can't . . . put any filth on me. The man doesn't live who dares do that. The man doesn't live who can put a finger on my moral character. He don't live. Or on my political character. He don't live."

(Shouts of agreement from 400 Hague henchmen in the hearing room.)

Hague: "We're giving the people . . . real government, conscientious government." (Pointing to Tobey and addressing Senator Alva Adams): "What's he frothing at the mouth about?"

Hague (to Tobey): "Stand up, Senator. What a spectacle! What a fine person to represent the people in the United States Senate!"

Tobey: "Your position here is no different than that of the little woman who a few days ago sat in the chair you're now occupying and testified that she had been beaten up and kicked in the stomach three times in a Jersey City precinct when she tried to vote. Get that clear."

Hague: "You're not going to smear me. . . . Why don't you go to Philadelphia and investigate how Willkie got the nomination? Why do you come here with your 10-c- picayune investigation?" (Aside to his followers): "Look at him. I probably will get just as low as he will in a couple of minutes. I understand what this is. They're trying to defeat President Roosevelt in this State. They're trying to smear him. But they're going to beat him honestly or not at all."

Hague (as Tobey's son, Charles Jr., leans over to whisper in his father's ear): "Tee hee! Look at Willie whistling into his ear."

Tobey: "He's my son and secretary and he isn't Willie!"

Exeunt--Hague cackling, Tobey indignant.

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