The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-16
SIDELIGHTS
 OF CAPITAL

One day Edward B. Mclean, news paper editor, who exterted great in fluenee with; President Harding and President Coolidge, confessed that he had attempted to deceive the oil inves- tigating committee into believing that Albert B. Fall, former secretary of the interor, had come into possession of $1O0,OO0 with hands absolutely clean.
 The following day, the President of the United States, MT. Coolidge, wired Mir. Mclean for information as basis for the distribution of federal patron age in the district of Columbia.
 When this telegram was unearthed by the investigating committee, it was given publicity. Since that time, the investigating committee has been the object of the bitterest invective at the command of the partisan republican press.
 It is not the opinion of Washington observers that Coolidge has presented a handsome or even positive, figure since the revelation of the scandal of the republican administration and party.
 In one instance, he has appeared an opportunist; in others, a creature torn by indecision to such extent that he could make no progress in any direction.
 It is recalled that when Senator Walsh gave notice that he would move for the cancellation of the oil leases, Coolidge, before Walsh could act, stepped in and employed counsel. Thus he tried, according to impression, to snatch a credit from the predominant figure of the investigation. The Presi. dent, respecting the demand that he get rid of Edwin Denby and Harry Daugherty, made a pitiable appear. ance. First, he dcfied the Senate ask. ing for the official head of the secre tary of the navy, and then he quietly and in his own fashion, took it off He announced, early in the game, that he would not ask Daugherty t" resign
 The Attorney General, apparently re assured, went to Florida. While tht Attorney General was absent, the Presi dent began speculating as to his sue cessor. Three men were considered. Sey eral were consulted. It looked like something would happen.
 And then Daugherty, smelling some thing in the air, beat it back to Wash ingtOn. From the station, he rushed to the White House in a taxi. With the President he remained several hours. There has been no more dis cussion as to Daugherty's successor.
 It is possible that Coolidge, by the people next fall, will be given a clean bill of health. But, wzhie presiding of. ficer of the Senate. he heard the speech of Senator LaFollette, in which the oil scandal was forecast, and in which it was declared that an inves- tigation would unearth a state of af- fairs sufficient to take away the breath of the nation. He went into the White House with the speech of LaFollette ringing in his ears, and with full knowl. edge of all that had transpired in the discussions of the cabinet of President Harding.
 He called for no investigation. He was 80 satisfied with conditions, that he retained all the official advisers oi his predecessor. No one thinks he has committed a criminal act. But he has shown none of the aggression which should characterize the man elevated to the position in which he is expected to protect the goods of the people and the good name of the country.
 It is interesting to speculate on how Cleveland would have acted, or Roose velt nr WilSOD f7