Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-25
EAGERFORPREST|GE
AT INAUGURATION
Washington Bankers and Social
Leaders After Admins
tration Favor
3-C0RNERED BATTLE RACES
BIZ q Stog Correspondent

Washington, Nov. 25.-Washington
banks and society are all mixed up in
a row over approaching inauguration
honors. and two of the biggest bank
ing institutions in the capital have ap-
parently locked horns in combat to see
which shall be the official bank of
the Harding administration. News
papers, finance social aspirations and
politics all figure in the battle now
nearing an issue.
1t Is three corncred in character.
The three principals are competing for
the honor of serving as chairman OF
the Harding inaugural committee, which
directs all arrangements for the in
auguration. These three, with their
affiliations. are:
First. William r. Galiher, president
of the American National Bank of
Washington chairman of the RepubIi-
can central committee of the District of
Columba, and chairman of the ways
and means committee of the Republican
national committee for the District of
Columbia, in which capacity he raised
many thousands of dollars for the Re
publican campaign fund this year.
Second. Milton f.. Allies. first vice
president of the Riggs National Bank.
and slated to be president on January
famous Riggs bank case. involving
long fight with John Skclton Williams,
comptroller of the currency. former
Secretary of the Treasury William &.
McAtloo, and the Democratic national
administration, which backed Williams
In his charges of improper practices
by the bank.
Third. Edward h. Mclean. multi
millionaire owner and publisher of the
Cincinnati Innnirpr
Post, probably the wealthiest individual
in the capital. who entertains lavishly
at Friendship, the Mclean estate on
the outskirts of Washington, and who
is now q member of the Harding party
In Panama.
All Have Backing
Mr.. Galiher is the Organization"
candidate for the appointment, which is
made by the chairman of the national
committee and usually represents the
personal choice of the President elect.
Mr.. Allies has the backing of the
"Riggs Bank crowd, as that particular
banking, business and social group is
commonly known, and counts on the at
titude of the bank in the controversy
with the Democratic administration to
help his cause along
Social and business influences prin-
cipally are behind the Mclean cam
didacy and his personal popularity with
Senator Harding is viewed with ap-
prehension by his rivals for the honor.
Having spent considerable time with
the President elect in Marion, and ac-
companied him to Texas and Panama,
and having the additional prestige of
owning two of the best known news
papers in the United States. neutral
opinion in the capital inclines to the
belief that he will walk off with the
assignment.
heights of Washington society. Both
inherited tremendous fortunes from their
fathers, Mrs. Mclean. before her mar
riage, having been Miss Evelyn Walsh,
daughter of Thomas +. Walsh, western
mining magnate. Their combined for
tunes give them a commanding position
in social and financial circles in the
capital.
Social Administration Expected"
Although the Craftsmanship is purely
an honorary appointment, it is eagerly
sought for the social prestige 1t brings
the man who is lucky enough to land it.
The contest reflects the capitals belief
that the Harding administration will
be a social administration and that
the affairs of Washington society will
be intimately linked with the affairs
of government during the next four
years.
Local influences already are at work
in an effort TO have the inaugural ball
revived. President Wilson discontinued
the custom when he entered upon his
first term, holding de ball would inter
fere with the work of the pension bu
reau.