Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-06-19
Plot TO ROB GOVERNMENT.

The announcement from Washing
ton that on Monday raids were made
on hundreds OF Offices Of manufactu-
rers brokerage firms throughout
the country, came as Il startling reve-
iation to the American people Of the
extent to which illegal profitecring
has obtained. The Department OF
Justice has been engaged for several
months in making extensive invcsti-
cations rs to the manner in which
war contracts have been awarded and
many OF the disclosures are painful.
1t appears that there are numer-
ons brokerage firms and contingent
ice corporations and individuals in
washington, New York and other
cities who boldly circularize the
manufacturers Of the country, stat
ing that they have close relationships
with the departments OF the govern
ment and influence with individuals
in those departments which give
them standing to obtain contracts ia
Vorable to their clients. Some even
20 so far rs to inform the manufac-
turer that he cannot deal directly
with the government and that unless
the contract be obtained through the
brokerage firm it could not be OBJ
tanned at all; while in other in
stances the manufacturer has sought
the contract broker and agreed to pay
the commission for obtaining the
contract. AS these contracts run
INTO the hundreds Of millions, the
amount Of these unlawful commits
SONS can be readily imagined.
1t 1s well that the strong arm OF
the law has been brought to bear
thus early on this horde Of vampires
and parasites Some have already
been indicted by Federal grand
!uries, and hundreds more soon will
oe. speedy convictions will doubt
less follow and long terms Of impris-
ohhleht promptly imposed. Here Is
one species OF proflteering that Ia
most diabolical in it's nature. The
American people are paying heavy
taxes and both lending and giving
their money freely to the government
10 sustain 1t in a vigorous prosecu-
tion or the war. and they must know
tnat IL IS honestly and lawfully spent.
me early detection and prompt pros
ecution Of this gang Of criminals Is
most encouraging and hopeful. It
SHOWS that we have at WASHINGTON
officers who are capable and fearless
IN the discharge Of duty. and though
these criminal practices spring up
ever and anon. the perpetrators will
surely be caught and the wrath OF
the American public is visited swiftly
on their heads.
Ihis Is as 1t should be; for in no
other way can this war be fought to
successful conclusion Should
these criminal practices become
widespread greater loss would be
sustained than the losing of a great
oattle; for the morale Of the Amer
lcan people would be broken. In one
sense these criminals are worse than
traitors, for they are striking at our
Vi'als. They are corrupting the
stream at It's source and tho pollu-
ton engendercd there would ere
long become widespread and the
whole system honcycombcd with
rottenness. 1t may be easier to fIpht
an open enemy, but these confedc-
rates or the Kaiser within (thourh
their number be legion) will surely
be caught and made to suffer tho
Just penalty of their transgrcssions.
This war for Justice, Truth and
Freedom Is yet to be fought and
won, regardless Of handicaps; while
plotters, traitors and conspirators
Will suffer their just doom, their
names being consigned to etornal OBJ
livioD.