The Mena weekly star., 1921-04-07
IS DECLARED TO BE CON MAN DE LUXE
Chicago Candy Store Owner Accused of Amazing Swindle-Posed As the Presidents Cousin, and Let
 Friends in on Good Things"


 Chicago, April 3.-Everitt Harding, candy store owner, arrested yester- day on. charges of impersonating a federal official, was declared by police to have defrauded the Pennsylvania railroad out of nearly $2,000 and to have imposed on leading Chicago lubs and business men by posing as a cousin of President Harding, altho no relation to the executive. The police said they believed Harding had ob- tained at least $10,000 from group Of business men by promising ro use his influence in obtaining political ap- pointment for them.
 Harding, according to the police, found Chicago's leading citizens gull ble He took 22 of them to the inaug- uration in private car and then paid the Pennsylvania railroad with d check for $1,91S.44, which was re- turned, according to railroad officials, marked mo funds"
 While on this trip Harding became acquainted with delegation from the Hamilton club, the chief Republican social organization of the city. He posed before them was cousin of the president and was promised life membership in the club. In return Harding was said to have promised his friends political apointsments, telling them he was to be assistant secretary to the president.
 Harding was held for S5,000 bond for hearing before the United States Commissioner Lewis F. Mason.
 President Telegraphs Denial.
 President Harding telegraphed per sonally that the young man was not 'connected in any way with him or with the government" at the same time the Alice in Wonderland stories told of Everitts sister, Pearl called the "White House baby"-- were labelled pure fiction.
 The roster of his victims, it is said, contains the names of 60 members of several congressman and a score of Chicago business men.
 Young Harding told his friends he had obtained the appointment of the postmaster. collector. of internal rev. with the two Illinois senators regard HE luIlilcL pdtiOtdet'
 Harding was also engaged in the promotion of three huge business ven- lures, with the presidents sanction" 1" he told his coterie of believing follow CTS. One of these was Harding hotel" to be erected in the fashionable North Shore residence section. an- other was a chain of Harding" candy stores and third was a monthly f, hs. known as the Inlook and according to Harding's story as related by the po- lice was to contain an article in each issue by the president.
 By "letting his friends in" on these business propositions Secret Service agents say Harding has obtained thousands of dollars Two of his in- vestors are now facing bankruptcy as a result of their flyers"
 The Harding family live at 4846 kimball avenue. 1t consists of Eph- raim Harding, 55, and his wife and two children, Everitt, 26. and Pearl, IS. The father admitted frankly to Secret Service officials that he was no relation to the president and had time, he said, his son, who had dabbled LII DOilblCS TUT Ytdhot NDUAtlNEQ bHt idea he was related to the chief execu- tive.
 Sister Acquires Fame
 Pearl Harding, Everitt's 13-year- old sister, acquired considerable fame thrue the posing of her brother. She became known as the "White House baby" and it was said that she was to go to Washington and live with the president. Her picture was widely sought by manufacturers to be used in advertising, she posed for scores of newspaper photographers, appeared in the movies and was feted in Chicago.
 Harding has been one of the most difficult of Chicago men to interview He was always extremely busy on government business" and kept riends seeking political appointments visiting for hours when they called on him. Once or twice week, the ,olice said, he would be called out of town" and his friends were informed he had gone to Washington to confer with Senator So-and-So
 According to the police, Harding cashed in on his name by posing as Senator Harding's son during the Re- publican national convention and passed several bad checks.