The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-04
A GALAHAD IN POLITICS?

The people have not known exactly what
TO make of Mr.. Frank A. Vsnderlip's per-
sonal campaign to ase st in uncovering the
fraud and corruption which he declares exist
in astonishing degree between big business
and official Washington. There is reason to
believe that his reference to President Har.
ding has been deliberately set upon and mis-
represented. His demand seems to have been
that the committee set at rest the persistent
rumors involving Mr.. Hardings name which
clared that his purpose was not to reproach
the former presidents good name, but to clear
it Of malicious gossip. Most commentators
chose to interpret it otherwise. Mfr. Wander
lip accepted criticism directed against him
as challenge and has established in Wash
ington an office which he looks upon as
clearinghouse for evidence of misconduct and
betrayal of high official trust
An interesting development in connection
with this activity has been Mr.. Vanderbilt
requested retirement from two Of the directo-
rates with which he has been associated. He
explains that he will resign from all his other
directorships, because of the criticism of his
associates against his program of graft de-
lection. This attitude of his associa ties
strikes the average citizen as peculiar. Why
should any legitimate business find itself
suffering when one of its members seeks to
establish honesty in government? Why
should it feel itself compelled to ask for the
avocation does not distract from his official
duties? 1t has not been alleged that Mr..
Vanderlip has neglected his private affairs.
but that his business associates disapprove Of
bis attempt to disclose official malfeasance
or misfeasanee. Perhaps they feel that be is
not sincere in his avowed purpose. If So,
they have given no intimation of such feel
ing. The result of the whole matter Is to
make the public feel that perhaps Mr.. Van
derlip deserves sympathy and not censure in
his lonely effort. Anyhow the results he is
able to achieve should finally decide the ques-
ton of his sincerity.
In his letter of resignation as director of
the Freeport Texas Company of New York
Mr.. Vanderlip says: my one regret in the
matter is that men with whom / have long
been associated in business are now so blind
to the present situation in the government
at Washington. Had you and your associates
the slightest conception of the truth in re-
ri IN ho -b oh hoe
rent you could not without the most COM
plete sacrifice of honor do anything but ap-
plaud honest effort to uproot that corrup-
ton. -. If there is not full exposure of the
bureaus of the federal government, business
at the mercy of corrupt courts, corrupt prose-
cutting attorneys and lawbreaking officials
will ultimately suffer far more than it can
through exposure of these things. The great
danger to business and government alike lies
in suppression of the facts"
This has the ring of a well-defined pur-
pose. The public may have forgotten this
mans forced resignation as president of big
bank because he predicted the European de-
bacle. The fact that Mr.. Vanderlip has the
courage to separate himself from his bust
ness affiliations rather than be dictated to
by them and be swerved from what he re-
CARDS as his duty as a citizen is in his favor
in the public view. 1t is almost a unique
episode in our national history. A man of
worldwide reputation as financier and bust.
ness strategist has apparently been willing to
sacrifice personal wealth on a substantial
scale ostensibly in order to pursue patriotic
course. Certainly the development of such a
program is worth public attention.