Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-22
BALL. CONTROL
OF PATRONAGE IS
STILL DOUBTFUL
Other Obstacles May Arise to
Delay His Placing Of
q Peeney.
OUTLOOK AT WASHINGTON
Special Dispatch to Every Evening.
Nv Frank W. Lewis.


by Frank W. Lewis.
Washington. Nov. 22.-While the
involuntary retirement OF former
Senator Coleman du Pont from public
life seemed to have cleared up the
Federal patronage situation in Della
ware, 1t has in fact done nothing OF
the kird, il is said by those who as
sumo to be on the inside OF these
things, 1t Ia widely known fact
thatISenator Ball and Senator du Pont
wera in disagreement over certain ap-
pointments, and that they had not
been able to reach any kind OF Settle
ment as TO such matters, and 1t was
the common belief that, with Senator
du Pint out of the way, Senator Ball
woulh have easy sailing in securing
whatever Federal appointments ap-
portioned TO Delaware. But accord
ing tb talk among the wise ones, the
situation is still in grave doubt.
When Senator Ball and Senator du
Pont were attempting TO make an
equitable division of Federal patron
age between themselves, several dis
agreements arose, and each was pre-
tain things. Ball had his heart set
on awarding his secretary Thomas f.
Peeney a nice job in return for his
fidelity TO him. but du Pont would not
allow Peeney to be appointed to any
important station. Everytime Ball at
tempted to secure an appointment Tor
Peeney, du Pont blocked 1t. When
du Pont was retired Peeney's name,
with Balls recommendation, was in
the hands of the President for nomi-
nation as a member of the District Of
Columbia Rent Commission. The ap-
pointment had been held up at the
instance of du Pont. As the Presi-
dent did not want 10 be a party to
a patronage fight between two Repub-
lican Senators from the same State.
he concluded TO defer the appoint
ment However, as du pont is out
of thh way. people are wondering II
Ball will win his long fight for
Peeney.
The Real Reason.
"Ohe OF the real reasons why Presi-
dent Harding has not yet appointed
the rev District Rent Commission
has just come TO light" says a story
in a Washinston newspaper. 1T is
involved in Il long standing and
strange as it may seem--a more or
less friendly tight over patronage in
Delaware between Senator l.. Heisler
Ball, chairman of the Senate District
Committee, and Senator T. Coleman
du Pont
Little differences sometimes de
veiop into major issues. In this case
the LITTLE difference between the two
friendly and amiable Delaware sena-
tors concerned Thomas f. Peeney
who for several wears has been acting
as secretary 20 Senator Rail
Senator Ball tried 10 persuade
President Harding to appoint Mr.
Peeney collector of internal revenue OF
Wilmington, but Senator du Pont in.
tervsned and succeeded in blocking
the appointment.
This was rather a disappointment
10 Senator Ball. but he attributed &
mainiS to the exigencies of state poll
tics in Delaware, and paid no NOR,
heed TO it. A few months later tn,
rent extension act was passed by
Congress. Credit for the enactmen
was given 10 Senator Ball by botl
friends and foes Of the law. 1t wa
his work that enlisted Presidential
support for the bill and won over th'
House at the eleventh hour.
As soon as the rent extension ac
was passed. Senator Ball went to tn
White House and requested Presiden
Harding TO appoint Mr.. Peeney as on
OF the new members of the commits
sion. The President was anxious {
please him. but, il is understood, h
remembered certain objections tha
Senator du Pont had previously urg
ed against Mr.. Peeney. He got i
toUcE with Senator du Pont, an
Peeney again came in for discus
sion.
THAT is as far as the matter wen
President Harding felt that he woul
be stirring up OLD patronage trouble
by nominating Mr.. Peeney for tn
d Rent Commission. At the same tim
he was determined mot to make an
move that would offend his old frien<
Senator Ball. So matters simpl
driftei from month TO month.
In the meantime the White Hous
had discovered there was no urger
necessity for appointing a new Rer
Commission; that the old tribune
was functioning fairly well and var
Gus real estate men urged upo
President-Harding the fact that III
rent situation in the District wa
rapidly improving, and that the add
ed expense Of an enlarged commits
sion might not be necessary after al
"A new angle in the situation do
Veiopeo when Senator du Pont wa
defeated for reelection in Delawar
hy Thomas F. Bayard. That cleare
the patronage air Immediately. Ser
ator Ball will take advantage of
by again discussing Rent Commi.
sion affairs with the President.
is quite possible that the nomination
Will be made now without more ado
THE objections which Senator q
Pont urged against Peeney have M
been disclosed"