Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-24
WAR FRAUDS SEEN
AS CAMPAIGN ISSUE
G. O. p. Leaders Fear Failure Of
Daugherty to Act Will
Affect Voters .,
STANDS BY FRIEND
BY CLINTON w. GILBERT

staH Correspondent Evening Public Ledger
Copvrioht. 1922, bv Public Ledger Company
Washington. May 24.--Developments
in the Daugherty controversy are first,
that Representative Woodruff. of Mich
igan, who is asking for an investigation
Of the alleged war frauds. has been told
by the House leaders that immediate
consideration of his resolution would
not be permitted but that 1t would come
''in due time"
II. J.. Scaife. former Department Of
Justice investigator, laid before Federal
District Attorney Fordon charges that
intoxicating liquors stored under custody
of Department Of Justice had been con-
verted by officials to their own use. Cor
don. Scaifc alleges. conferred on this
subject with the Attorney General and
then told Scaife that he would proceed
when he got ready" Scaife asserts
that owing to delay the evidence will
disappear.
Woodruff. who is to confer with
Samuel Tntermyer about the investi-
cation. talks either of withdrawing his
resolution from the Rules Committee
md asking that it be referred else
where or of filibustering against apprO-
priation bills. and oil other legislation
until the House leaders see fit to bring
out his resolution.
Many Smoke Screens
Many smoke screens are being sent
up by both sides. The real issue is
not merely whether certain members
Of the last Democratic administration
was involved in the war frauds. as
some Republican Senator's have sought
to suggest, but whether those Demo-
Gratis are involved and whether the
present Administration hns been duly
diligent in prosecuting both them anc
certain Republicans alleged also to b.
involved and certain business mer
alleged to have profted by the frauds
The Morse case Is not an issue and only
achieves its Importance because Mr.
Daugherty was not as frank as III
should have been about it from the out
set. In spite Of his acting as counsc
for Morse he might still be mos
efficient prosecutor Of the war frauds
The most effective answer that he car
make Is to act promptly not only ngains
former Democratic Cabinet officers, bu
against all officials Of both parties ant
all business men of both parties sait
to be involved
1t may be declared here that Mr.
DRugherty still has the entire con
tidcnce Of President Harding. Man.
visitors to tn eWhite House discus
the Daugherty controversy, calling at
tention to editorials in the Republican
newspapers of the country expressin
dissatisfaction with the Attorney Gen
eral and frankly disclosing their fea
that the suspicious which have bee
aroused will increase the political rest
lessness among the voters and weaker
the Republican party next November
To all such the President declares hi
perfect trust in Mr.. Daug herty, whor
he says he has known all his life t
; be clean and honorable man.
Cabinet Alarmed
In the Cabinet there Is understoo
to be feeling that the controvers
. is assuming dangerous proportions. mn
. there Is desire to see some aCtio
taken which will clear it up one wa
r or another. But the President is un
moved. His association with the AT
torney General is one of many year
= standing. There Is a strong element {
loyalty in the President. He would b
9 the last person in the world to nttac
Importance to attacks upon friend.
Leaders in the Senate with whol
C Mr.. Daugherty has discussed the situn
tion have advised him that 1t woul
e be politically dangerous to procee
$ chiefly against members of the formt
n Democratic Administration unless II
case which he has against them Is or
. that will instantly convince the pub
il lie. That is what the hardest headt
o Of the Republican Senators say.