Imperial Valley Press

WASHINGTON, May 16.-There are a few low rumblings around the senate about the methods that Vice-President Curtis uses in ruling that sometimes unruly body. Some of the senators say he acts like a schoolmaster with a roomful of 6-year-olds. Others pull out the good old word. "autocratic."

That was particularly true when he ordered Sen Huey Long to surrender the floor, The senate overruled Curtis and let Long go on

Persons sitting out in front say the vice-president glowers and at times shows anger as he bangs for order. Sometimes he is pretty short with the senators themselves. He has been known to pound his gavel like a Chinaman beating abalone steaks when the minority and majority leaders are in whispered conversation.

While senators are not supposed to hold conferences on the floor. the two leaders are usually considered to be above such reproof.

But it hardly seems there is an open rebellion against Curtis, and maybe the chief grumblers are those who have been chastised.

Senator Howell (Rep.) Nebraska. has taken a leaf from the note-book of Cato. the noble old Roman who used to regale the Roman senate with his declaration "Carthago delenda est." (Carthage must be destroyed.)

Day after day Cato used to shout those words in the forum Finally Scipio. at the head of his Roman army. worked the destruction of Carthage, while all Rome was echoing Cato's battle cry.

For a month now Senator Howell has been closing every session of the senate with an exhortation in behalf of the farmers. Not always are his words the same. But always they are on the subject of farm relief. Sometimes his speech lasts but a minute. Sometimes it is longer. Always the senators leave the chamber with a plea for help for the farmer ringing in their ears.