The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-07-04

'an Ohio attorney" though he was
not exactly shining light in his
profession :, home and hi, business
as not entirely retricted to the ar
..uiag of cases III court. He had
been connected in a small way with
? e. e-,us; ember who is reputed to
5e &. .csv political adviser to Pcesi-
dent liarding. The Ohio attorney
spent several weeks as hanger-on
at headquarters at Marion during the
front-porch campaign and had identi-
fed himself with the administration
in the ey,.5 Of many who want
ed favo:s here. He took quarters in
a Washington hotel and 'opened up
for business" soon after the last pres
idential Inauguration. The word was
passed around by his runners that
those who needed help might find 1t
forthwith by applying to this indivld-
ual. He was smooth talker and bus
mess came fast. Soon larger quar-
ters were required. A pretentious
residence on K street. near those of
several senators, was rented. Here
big entertainments and dinners were
staged, with all the pleasant acceseo-
ries of music and dancing by profes
sional entertainers. These were in
vitation affairs.
Only Provided the Scenery
The dinners at the K street resi-
dence are said to have been well-ap-
pointed ,,ffairs which would have
done credit to a cabinet member.
Those who received his invitations
felt themselves honored. Many of the
guests now realize that they were on
ly part of the interior decorations.
They only provided the scenery which
made the attorneys entertainments
go well. The hosts fame grew apace
and he thrived wonderfully. He made
many new connections. Sometimes
he took his cases on contingent fee
basis, but more often he insisted that
those who needed his assistance
should pay a generous fee in advance
as an evidence of good faith, with
more to come when success crowned
his efforts. Prominent persons in the
administration were inveigled to din
ners, and there ttho suckers" were
given an ocular demonstration of the
standing of the Onjo attorney with
the official set. This man prospered
at an amazing rate as the early
months of the Harding administration
flew by. Finally, his operations be-
came a scandal and the news of his
activities is understood to have reach
ed the White House. He was asked
to pitch his tent elsewhere. He took
the hint and his departure was expe-
dited by an order from the executive
to heads of departments to disregard
his claims of special influence with
the administration. When he shook
tee dust Of Pennsylvania avenue from
his well-groomed feet it is reported
that he was richer by several hundred
for his sojourn in Wash
ington. This man was a clever man
ipulator. He had the knack Of drop
ping little intimations as to his close
personal relations with aIministra-
ton officials without appearing to do
so. He had been ''fxer" in Ohio
and professed to be able to arrange
matters for those who had the price
and wanted favors here. Whether he
was ever able to deliver anything
more tangible than promises Is not as
certaina5le.
These are only few instances of
the modus operandi of the 'social
bloc" at Washington. It's tentacles
reach ou1 and form network around
government operations in the nation
al cani+a1