San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-02
Copyright. 1894, by Consol. Press Assn.
Washington, ID. c., March Ito
BY X. T. s.

Washington, ID. c., March Ito
the country at large, Ned Mclean has
been one of the mysterious figures Of
the Harding and Coolidge administra-
tons. Washington itself has known
but little of the personality of the
young man, although even persons
who have never seen the young pub
Usher and who never would have a
chance to meet him, refer to him as
Ned Mclean"
Mr.. Mclean is not the type OF man
who makes friends quickly. Fc is
diffident in a way. but attempts TO
cover it up. This diffidence explains
to a large degree the efforts made to
avoid appearing before the Senate
committee. Ned Mclean has n natu-
rally suspicious disposition. He in
herited that trait from his father,
John r. Mclean, at one time the
master journalist of the Middle West.
The young man is loath to trust any,
one which is why he has surrounded
himself with many odd personalities.
and why the kilograms made public
in the oil hearings show that he had
various employees checking up for him
and treading on each others toes. Al
so it explains the dual code. Instead
of having one really confidential sec
rotary or associate in his business,
Mr.. Mclean has half a dozen.
Friend Of Harding.
Washington, which recalled the
Ned Mclean of gay young bachelor
days, when he owned the first French
racing car brought to the city, was
somewhat surprised when it was first
noised about that Warren G. Hard
ing, Republican candidate for Pres
ident. was Ned McLean's closest and
best friend. Washington was not con-
scious of the great change which bad
come over the boy who had inherited
the direction of millions Of dollars
and whose marriage to lovely Evelyn
Walsh, daughter of the late Thomas
+. Walsh Of Denver, has united two
great fortunes.
Mr.. McLean's friendship with Mr..
Harding began soon after the Presi-
dent-to-be came to Washington as n
senator from Ohio. Mr.. Harding had
known John Il. Mclean as a fellow
Ohio editor and publisher. He found
young Mclean most companionable
fellow. Mrs. Harding was completely
captivated by Mrs. Mclean. The two
women became even closer friends
than the senator and young Mclean,
il such q thing were possible.
Many Prominent People There.
The Hardings had spent many
happy afternoons and evenings at
Friendship" the Mclean home on
Tenley Town road, here in Washing
IA i &c
ally were there too, and at various
times other senator's and representa-
tives and their wives came to enjoy
the bounteous hospitality of the pie
thoric Mclean household. Mrs. Nc
Lean is one of the most viyacious OF
hOstesses and also one Of the most
voracious of newspaper readers. She
is brilliant woman and often has
held her own in a discussion of in
ternational and domestic affairs with
the best minds in the Senate. Senator
Lodge in the old days also was a con-
slant visitor at the Mclean home.
So when it came to pass that SEN
ator Harding was TO be the Republi-
can nominate for President it was easy
to see the social and political prestige
that was TO come to the McLeans in
the event Of his election.
The nominating campaigns Of 1920.
however. brought many embarrass-
ments TO Mr.. Mclean. The Cincin-
natl Enquirer which young Mclean
now controlled. had always been the
great organ of Ohio Democracy. Yet
from the purely personal point of
view. young Mclean wanted Mr..
Harding nominated and elected. Being
of a decidedly pessimistic turn Of
mind. however, be never thought Mr..
Harding had a chance in the conven-
ton until the thing was put over.
Won in Any Event.
On the Democratic side Ned Nc
Lean was equally interested. and it
seemed as il fate had decreed no mat
ter who won the election in 1920 the
McLeans were to be close to the top
Of things at the White House.
A, Mitchell Palmer was an intimate
friend of Mclean and had done many
favors for him. William Gibbs Nc
Adoo was on equally intimate terms
with the young publisher and had act
I'd as his counsel and adviser in sew
nral matters. Governor Cox Of Ohio
mana distant friend