Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-28
F ornler Secretary Accused
of ''WheedIing" Money
Out of Government for the
Morse Interests

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Feb 26.-Sena-
tor James A. Reed renewed his at
tack on William Gibbs McAdoo, for
mer secretary of the treasury, and
candidate for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination, when he opened
his own campaign for the presiden-
tiaI nomination here. He charged
that McAdoo had received large
legal retainers from e. L. Doheny,|
Oil magnate, the Charles w. Morse
and motion picture con-
Germs, although he did not appear
in single law suit"
The Missouri senator, In his key
note address, also outlined his OPP
position to Oppressive tariffs" his
favor for reduced taxes, adjusted
compensation for soldiers. eLmina-
ton of useless boards and bu-
reaus, and the curbing of the ten
dency to concentrate power at Wash
ington."
Referring to the oil inquiry dis
closures, fl Senator Reed says: II I'M
hesitatly express the opinion that
not one-tenth Of the corruption and
iniquity which has existed is yet
laid bare. When the whole foul
mess is known, the American people
will be convinced of the supreme
necessity Of purging the government
and driving from power every faint
ed man"
McAdoo Legal Jobs Traced
The various legal connections Mr..
McAdoo had after his resignation
from the Wilson cabinet were traced
by Senator Reed during his address,
devoted largely to an attack on the
former secretary Of the treasury.
In his reference to the employ
ment of former cabinet officials by
Doheny, the senator said that the
oil man had entered the market to
buy influence, just as he might
purchase a pig"
He declared the Morse interests
likewise had purchased influence
when they employed McAdoo.
''The total of fees thus far dis
covered which McAdoo expected to
realize" he said, twas $944,OOO. To
this must be added the Doheny fee
OF $150,000. Total $1,094,00O.
For all this McAdoo did not APP
pear in single law suit He did
not write a court brief. He did not
prepare a petition or answer. He
was dealing for the most part in
his domestic transactions with men
who had been a part of the admins
tration when he was a member of
the cabinet"
Bitter Against Foe
His speech, in part, follows:
II am asking the Endorsement of
the Democracy of Missouri and of
the nation. for the presidential nomi-
nation. i
"Mr. McAdoo publicly announced
he did not intend to enter the list
against any home candidate, but, for
reasons which are doubtless salts
factory to himself, he has singled me
ont as an exception to his general
rule. He comes into the state of
Missouri and is receiving some sup
port.
Having been invited into the
arena, L como and give my reasons
why the attorney for Mr.. Doheny
should not receive the Endorsement
Of the Missouri Democracy.
Mr.. Doheny came to Washington.
He was in search of influence and
to obtain 1t was willing to expend
large sums of money. Although
there were tens of thousands Of law
yers of distinction and ability in the
United States, Mr.. Doheny took into
his employ five cabinet or ex-cabinet
officers. l do not say these lawyers
were corrupt I do say that with
the possible one exception, Garrison,
they were not employed for their
legal ability.
'Doheny swore that he employed
McAdoo shortly after he left the
cabinet, which was on December 16,
1918.
For his services at Washington
Mr.. McAdoo was paid 100000. He
was removed from that field Of en-.
deavor when the Democratic admin
istration was succeeded by the Re.
publican administration.
Such is Doheny's own testimony.
It remains uncontradicted.
But Doheny was not the only
man who bought influence
Morse Case Recalled
There was Morse, who hired law
yers and paid them in commissions
on coal contracts with foreign gov
ernments.
Morse will be remembered as the
who wrecked q string Of
banks. He got into the penitentiary
by froud and he got out by fraud.
"Singularly enough, the same law
yer who convinced President Tart
that Morse's complexion, which was
superinduced by a diet OF soap, in
Dictated a speedy death by Bright's
disease, now sits in the cabinet az
attorney general of the United
States.
After his release from the peni-
tertiary, Morse proclaimed himself
a patriot and organized a concern to
build ships. For his transactions
with the government he was indict-
ed. On Mr.. Morses trial Mr.. Nc
Adoo appeared and testified for the
defense. McAdoo's sworn testimony
discloses that either before or short
~ after he resigned as director gem
eral of the railroads, he became a
member Of the firm OF McAdoo, Cot
ton & Franklin and that he resumed
the practice Of law June l, 1919.
About ninety days after Mr..
McAdoo left the government employ
he entered the employment Of
Morse's companies. 1t should be
noted that McAdoo's partner, Cotton,
had been the attorney for the Elmer.
gency Fleet corporation and, there
fore. for the shipping board.
Shortly after entering Morse's
employment. Mr.. McAdoo appeared