Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-09
ALL GOVERNMENT
CIRCLES MAY FEEL +
OIL QUIZ EFFECTS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1924.)


tegrity of government-a theme
which only rarely in American his
tory has been projected into the
realm of controversy-stands today
as the issue overshadowing all else
4 in the national capitol.
The calm chat has been enforced
by the adjournment of all activities
out of respect to the memory of
+ Woodrow Wilson is but the stiffness
that precedes the storm. The lime
light will play fiercely in the next
few weeks on the motives of public
men and their Influence in govern
mental action in and out of office.
Regulations are at stake, political
advantages and disadvantages are
bound to accrue innocent acts will
be subject to Unconstitutional
\ part of the confusion that has de-
keloPed out of one of the worst
I9dals of the present generation.
rue enough, a presidential cam
N is on, but there are disinter-
sd men in congress who deplore
sne whole oil mess as a possible re-
Election on the competency Of public
officials and as encouragement for
those who would do away with both
the old political parties and start
afresh a third party today as in
1912.
Drama of SeIfishness
The lobbyists Of the past, the
highly-paid lawyers who were hired
because of their Influence with
the administrations in power, the
making of contracts for government
property without public bids, the
removal of resources from govern
ment control without regard to the
needs of the government itself, the
whole discloses drama Of selfish
ness and materialism which will
have profound effect in the con-
duct Of affairs here
The passing of brides to get IA
vorable governmental action long
since has become obsolete. The e.t-
tension Of loans" to public officials
is but one OF a number of devices
whereby an individual conscience Is
assuaged but which nevertheless
has accomplished the purpose for
which it was given. Again and
again it has been apparent that
promises Of positions in commercial
life to men who would resign after
handling favorably a case between
the government and a private con-
Germ are numerous. The govern.
ment itself has paid its high grade
men relatively low salaries compared
with the incomes given for the same
class of work in commercial life.
The temptations Of position and in
come outside the government have
been dangled before officials.
Indeed, not few men have actu-
ally gone into the government serv-
Ice with the ultimate purpose of
meeting business people who in later
years would help them make a ia.
vorable connection. The turnover
In personnel in recent years In Ger.
tain departments Of the government
has been amazing.
Even Congress Invaded
Even members of congress whose
salaries are insufficient for their
needs have maintained connections
with law firms that have engaged
IN practice before government de-
partments. Many former members
OF congress have settled down to
practice here. Most of them are do
ing legitimate business asking for
no more than any other lawyers or
I agents would ask and simply using
their intimate knowledge of the con-
duct OF public business and red-tape
In particulars to aid their clients.
Some lave become simply legisa.
i've lobbyists endeaVoring constant
ly to influence the course of legis.
lat1on for the interests they repre-
sent and which pay them for their
efforts.
How long after an official has held
power shall he b. prohibited from
practicing before government de-
partments? What business connec.
tons should be retained BY men in
office? These are questions of ethics,
largely, but the congress no doubt
will revive proposals hitherto made
that sharp line of demarcation be
made so that men in position Of re-
y~sponsibility shall not be subject to
the influences and temptations
which constantly surround them.
The Teapot Dome scandal is Of
no recent origin. Murmu1s were ut
tered about it when Secretary Fall
rhaSA the leases. Whispers were
heard then that something was
wrong but so deep-seatsd was the
faith in President Harding's sin
certify that what he approved was
regarded at the time as necessarily
all right.
Harding Probably Sincere
The chances are he never knew
the details of the oil controversy. He
always rallied on the memoranda
given him by his cabinet officers and
he never would have questioned Sec
rotary Falls judgment. Indeed Mr..
Fall himself probably believes to this
day that the leases were in the in
terest of the government and that
the private loan made to him by
E. I. Doheny was not q factor in
his conclusions. The investigating
committee has only begun it's pene-
trating quiz. Mr.. Fall will I've asked
to testify again, William Gibbs Nc
~Adoo, who was counsel for Doheny
on Mexican matters, has requested
an opportunity to be heard, as has
former Secretary Daniels, who wants
to answer criticisms about his pol
icy.
Thus far the controversy turns
on Mr.. Falls acts and Secretary
Denbys approval Of the contracts.
All the other testimony will be given
largely to prevent improper infer
ences from being drawn with respect
to those who wish to defend them
selves and also to develop the whole
truth about the extension of Oil re-
serves ito private interests in re-
cent years.