The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-19

described in detail by Mr. Hooley with many
other clients. The following Is a list of
payments alleged TO have been made to adj
ditional peers: Lord Deerhurst. f2OOo;
Lord Norbury. 81 900; Lord Saville. f1.0O0
There is also q long list of fashionable
people. family solicitors and journalists
with whom Mr.. Hooley has had dealings in
making up the front pages of his various
prcspectuses. 1t is almost needless to add
that nearly every one named by Mr.. Hooley
has repudiated the suggestion either that
ne was hired for any Improper purpose or
that he was paid in hard cash for his serv-
ices in helping Mr.. Hooley to impose upon
the credulity of British investors.
A MIRROR OF MANNERS.
1t would be .inexpedent to dismiss these
Hooley matinees at the Bankruptcy Court
as town shows suited to hot weather. They
have a theatrical interest, but they also
mirror the manners and sordid vices of the
times. They tend to promote reflection.
tinged with fine satire. upon the tendencies
of smart society, whose manner of life is
constantly becoming more extravagant in
cost and less dignified in motive. If Mr.
Hooley makes even remote approach to
the truth he reveals evidence of barter and
traffic in exclusive circles which are sup
posed to be untainted by anything so vul-
gar as trade. He also lays bare the fact
that many of the titled figures, who make
SO brave a show in society columns, are at
their wits end TO pay their current eX-
penses, and are ready to receive commits
slols for introducing distinguished people or
to take anything, from Ell zoo TO $4,000, for
the use of their names in prospectuses of
new companies. If Mr.. Hooley had succeed
ed in establishing company promoting on a
permanent social basis ne would probably
nave introduced some kind of a tariff or
to earls and dukes would have been regu-
lated on sliding scale, and the perquisites
or directors would have been fixed in ac-
cordance with established principles of So
precedence. A 1ncaDd-
BILE of resisting the opportunities of greedy
and needy people of leisure.
One thing is evident from his disclosures.
He considers earls the most tempting bait
for investors, and was not particular in his
choice OF them. Men moving in the best
circles of London society may be at loss
to understand what commercial value the
names of some of Mr.. Hooley's directors
could have. He knew how dearly the small
purposes was apparently as good as an
other, and any one with title was draw
ing card in working off the shares of an
OvercapitalZed company.
Mr.. Hooley was undoubtedly imposed upon
by a swarm of agents and spectators
Much of the money which he paid for the
reached the hands for which it was de-
signed. 1t was diverted into the pockets of
solicitors, middlemen and spectators. who
Probably this truth will be apparent at
some remote day, when some of the men
accused by him of sordid avarice and be-
trayal of honor have full opportunity for
cross-examining him and establishing their
innocence.
But whatever may be the temporary injus-
tice to men of high rank, it is undeniable
that hundreds of thousands of pounds were
paid directly or indirectly, for the procura-
ton and hire of distinguished names for
ornamental company boards. The defrauded
shareholders seem to have no remedy in
England against the most scandalous abuse
of public confidence. Mr.. Hooleys boards
of directors were not safeguards against
business encouragement, nor guarantees of
good faith and mercantile honor They were
made up of gilded and perfumed dummies,
manipulated for the exploitation of new and
ercapitaized companies.