Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
THE SUGAR SCANDAL.
Psrr the Customs Bulldog ana His
MISUNDERSTANDING q Trust.

'srr the Customs Bulldog and His
MISUNDERSTANDING q Trust.
In the light Of the well-%planned. con-
certed attempt to discredit the Roosevelt
administration by printed i%nsinuatons
that the head Of 1t closed his eyes TO the
conduct OF the sugar trust, an article in
the January Van Norden will be Of in
terest to every fair-minded American.
The title Is The Sugar Trust Nemesis
ana His Backers.'" and Il tells the story
Of Richard Parr. tho special agent Of the
customs, vino uncovered the conspiracy
by which the government was being rob-
bed Of millions.
According to the author. John 8.
Lopez. Parr from tho beginning was
backed by Theodore Roosevelt, Pres,-
dent Of the United States, and bv VIII
liam Loeb. Jr.. his boyhood friend. then
secretary to the President. now collector
Of the port Of New York. To Mr.. Loeb,
In 1904. Parr first told OF his suspicious
that there was a conspiracy. Through
him the oun man was made special
agent, and because Of Mr.. Loeb he was
nabled to return to his task, although
men higher " shifted him to the four
- u vi VIC NilStbIHS NpIflIDdSS NnPn-
ever he got A warm trail
The narrative OF PARIS experience Is
thrilling and significant. Once It was
known that he had discovered something
Tangible ne was r. marked man. Brides
which would have made him independ-
emily wealthy were offered to him. FAIL
Ing that. he was attacked on all sides.
villihcfd and spled upon: he was rob
Ind tnst1x1 @...-- 49, A.-t-
I'd subway platforms; efforts were made
10 entrap him: the life OF his family wns
made unendrrsble, md even his work
was set at naught by his euperiors. But
he persisted IN face OF It all and grad
uaIly slapped the foundation OF the huge
plot. When Mr.. Loeb became collector
Of the port Zone Of Mr.. Roosevelt's few
requests 81 HIS successor) the walls Of
the fortress fell.
WHAT UNCOVERED THE SUGAR
SCANDAL.
In the fall OF 1907, a boyish looking.
smooth-faced young man appeared at
the executive offices Of the White
House. Washington. and sen his card
to William Loeb. Jr., secretary to tho
President. A few moments later he and
that ordinarily impassive gentleman
were exchanging friendly greetings and
handclasps.
II think that matter spoke about in
1904 is getting into shape said the visit
or as he sat down. The secretary nod
ded his head and the recital began.
II was a story Of length the visitor un-
folded. but ell other business in that
office stopped while II was being told.
Even Mr.. Loci showed excitement. every
time he interrupted to ask a question:;
he studied papers and other memoranda
which We're produced, leaned back in
his chair and pondered. and at last
arose.
That IS enough" he said. Watt
Mr.. Loeb disappeared through a door
and for n while there was silence. Then
there came a vocal explosion. followed
ny the d%etonations Of rapid-fre rues-
tons. where is her How does he
know How long" And then: Bring
in"
The repetition Of the story to the mar
in the other room was longer and more
eventfrl. II was p%unctuated with ex-
CARNATIONS and m and it was
followed by n rigorous nina
tion. It was ended when the man OF
the room leaned forward. clicked his
teeth and set n powerful Jaw.
II believe you are right. This thing
must be stopped and the criminals pun
ished. You go ahead witt, your investi-
cations: go quietly and surely-eet the
evidence that will convict the big as
we'll as the little fellows: get them, get
them all. You have a big Job on Your
hands. but I'll back you-go ahead"
"All right. cir" answered the visitor.
from his chair. his face alight:
"Tll show you, and" he added. 'Il
show them
That ended the interview between
Roosevelt President OF the
States. and Richard Parr. then a
agent OF the United States
treasury. The story Parr told that day
was his observations of the conduct OF
EMPLOYEES Of the sugar trust at
the port Of New York and the relations
NJ certain customs. officials. high ard
with them. The conversation re-
in the wholesale exposure OF a
criminal conspiracy to defraud the
government out Of millions. in arrests,
and Indictments for me side and dis
grace and dismissal FOR another. TIE
Incident should explsir how difficult II
will be for n certain element to dis
the Rnosevelt administration by
The allegation that It's CHIEF was partial
% the sugar company In his campaign
dishonest business combina-
ions.
sHADOWING A TRUST.
When a man starts out to uncover a
'ested conspiracy between government
and a powerful business COM
,%ination, he Is LAYING up trouble for
That IL illustrated IN the case ,
= Richard Parr, the man who brought
he New York customs EMPLOYEES and
he sugar trust TO book. In the January
Van Norden MAGAZINE. John S. Lopez
forth these experiences.
After using all it's power in the depart
nent IN have Parr shifted from New
fork and humiliatcd, the sugar inhu-
noes went at him directly He was
'ffered SIS. q for instance, 10 call off
he Strathyrn seizure. and laughed at II.
hen friends" OF his came with better
a fool mot to get his He WAS
ffered S10n. mn II he would take a trip /
O Europe. and always he was inform q
i that sooner or later they would get :
He MAS placed under espionage, :
'rivate detectives tried to keep him In
light always, and when they failed to ,
iscover anything against him. they q
edients tried are almost incredible.