The Washington herald., 1910-02-20
By JAMES b. MORROW.

w AliAG4h LUZ, Ji-Alis IuOSCfGAA SIM
calls him 'BIlly"-was the second most
important man around the White House,
he wore a frock coat that always looked
brand new, and silk hat that always
appeared to have Just left the iron, and
q hating, who-gcss-there? smile that
seemed to say:
You may see and hear artillery fire
in the next room now and then, but out
in the secretary's office you viii find
sagacity. tranquility. and a paucity of
unnecessary words"
Now, dressed for a battle with million
aire smugglers and octopodous scale falsi-
fiers. he uniforms himself for the under
taking by wearing a business suit and
an unstarched shirt. However, he is as
self-contaiaed, leisurely, and pleasantly
remote as ever. With him the applica-
ton and finish OF human manners has
become a practical science.
It was Mr. Loeb's habit as the coun-
selor and comrade of Mr.. Roosevelt al
ways to be reading a letter or docu-
ment when any one was shown into his
unseaTchable presence. The trick psy-
chologically. was impressive and effec-
tive. Thus the eager fires of the caller
were cooled for a moment, and In the
dignity and decorum of the visible situa-
tion he reduced his prearranged speech
at least 50 per cent. Besides from being
a free and familiar American sovereign.
with constitutional and traditional privi-
leges, he gradually dwindled, standing
and waiting, until he was nothing more
imposing than a humble petitioner.
Excellent knowledge of Men.
OF good stature and hav' a strong
frame tightly put together, Loeb has
gTay-brown eyes. black hair nd a bass
voice. His knowledge of men is precise
and continental. Shrewd, wise, and un-
fraid, he usually fgh With smokeless
powder. but the sugar monOpolists and
smugglers will confess. no doubt, that at
close quarters he IS equally as dangerous
with a club or bayonet / made some
remark as 10 the dissimilarity Of temper
aments between Mr. Roosevelt and HIM
self.
However" he replied. no two men
were ever in more accord with respect TO
their views on public matters. Unlike as
we may appear, I want to say that Mr..
Roosevelt never spoke an unkind or i'm
patient word to me in his life. We dis
agreed at times over methods and men,
but he heard me through to the end.
He wanted those whom he trusted to be
frank with him; otherwise he had no
confidence in their opinions.
He was always looking for informa-
ton. and was always alert for hin,s and
suggestions A mans value him was
Ynpa sfFroI NV tho
talking, you understand. ct ren gener-
ally. No matter the source of sugges-
tiOn. If it seemed good for the country
Mr.. Roosevelt would give it the strength
and popularity OF his own Endorsement.
To me personally he was never unrea-
sonable or unjust. but was uniformly
courteous. kindly and .considerate."
isn't smuggling as bad as steaIing?"
I asked, bringing him from Washington
TO New York, where he is vigorously
collecting the duties that are levied
against goods bought in foreign markets.
Stealing and smuggling" ne answered.
''are the same thing A smuggler in
NY opinion. would steal from an indi-
vldual; in rough language, he is a thief -
Restitution of Millions.
How much money have the sugar
people recently paid TO the national gov
ernment in tariff duties that were secretly
evaded?" I inquired.
The trust has made restitution in the
sum of $2.lS5.O0O. and the Arbuckles in the
sum of S695,0O0"
When and how did you get into the
cases?"
During the year 1904. Richard Parr.
since then widely notorious for obtaining
all the facts that the government has
used In its suits and prosecutions, called
on me In Washington. We were school
boys together I'm albany, but / had lost
track OF him. He told me he was a
sugar sampler on the docks in BROOKLYN
at $1,000 a year; that his mother was Ill
and required medical attention. and that
he had to help two Of his married sisters
and their small children He had tried
to make his salary reach, but the needs
Of those depending on him were so great
that he was getting into debt, and seri-
OuH financial difficulties threatened him.
In short. he came TO me for promotion.
AS an old friend, he thought might as
sst HIM
However, the regulations Of the serv-
ice prevented me from complying with
his request He then said there were
rumors on the docks of frauds against
the government in the matter of weights.
and asked me If he could be detailed on
special service to get the facts I talked
the case over with President Roosevelt.
and Parr was authorized to proceed with
his investigation. He was to be paid s.
q day.
The result of his work is known. I
suppose. to nearly every one in the United
States He discovered the secret springs
in the scales on the docks in New York,
by means of which certain importers of
sugar cheated the government out OF inn
mense sums of money The facts he un-
earthed have been used by the government
in its prosecution OF men charged with
crimes and in it's suits against the sugar
trust and other importers. Specifically.
Parr has caused the lump sum of 50 $50
O00 to he paid into the United States
Treasury and has stopped a s7vindling
operation that might have gone on in
definitely, Furthermore, his discovery
has frightened things TO the profit OF the
government at all the ports on both sides
of the country.
Could Not Be Bribed.
"Parr himself" Mr. Loeb went on TO
say, rs an invigorating and interesting
human study. poor man, he never
theless, came through. to the honor OF
himself and humanity First, he was
offered $4,000 for the spring he found in
the scales The spring was a tangible
proof of guilt. He could have sold it
and pocketed the money Later he was
told that he could have 100000 if he