The Washington times., 1924-04-08
Frank Vanderbilt and His
Research Bureau
By BILL RICE.

By BILL PRICE.
FRANK A. VANDERBILT, who is conducting research
bureau in this city for the purpose Of investigating Govern
mental fraud and wrongdoing getting few bouquets
along with a large assortment of fierce knocks" "a
Mr. Vanderlips rise to fame had its beginning in the
Government service in this city He here in 1897
private secretary LYMAN j. GAGE first Secretary of the
Treasury under President MCKINLEY. He had been q
financial reporter upon Chicago newspaper and knew the
newspaper game WELL His chief a Chicago banker was a
clean honorable and kindly At the first opportunity
Mr. Gage promoted Vandep to Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury where he did notable work that attracted the at
tention of the officials of the National City Bank in New
York He was offered high position with that bank &C.
cepted, and steadily in the financial world
Mr. Vanderlp Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
under normal conditions Graft and slick work in the Gov
eminent service are never rampant then when conditions
throughout the country abnormal, as now Yet Mr.
anderp had opportunity to find that there is gong
AS head OF the county greatest bank New York he rot
much inside information which taught him corruption
and dishonesty unknown in Government circles in
Washington and elsewhere.
He also learned important graft and the
selling of influence seldom punished The party in power
whatever its political faith dikes to expose the country
that its officials corrupt Powerful influences are
brought to shut things and let the offenders quietly resign
or repay the monies they have gotten from the Govern
ment Of but from outsiders who always stand ready
TO s pay for influence to get things through
big interests Of the country should never be allowed to
contribute large of money party campaigns and for
the election Of party nominees Those funds may be contributed
good faith and in the desire to put into office whom
big interests have feeling greater security than other
men But the contributions enable those with shady ideas
quests and to display their power and their close political
affiliations with the party in power
United States have indirectly paid graft through tariff
schedules that framed favorable to certain large CON
always be depended to certain party nominees
NOBODY Will ever know. Entirely much legislation is
There public record of what places in these
ferences The big interests get in their when bill
openly before Congress- but when it into the dark
Mr. Vanderip has made grave mistakes although he
mas stated that his intention was in repeating gossip and
rumors to bring light the and the truth He will
hear world OF gossip in this city, but there he
that exist in party Of the United States By
pending his fortune and that of wealthy men who
and bring about Conditions which viii make p0f o
greater trust on the part of the public in the they
Mr. vanderp is reputed to have large staff of inves
gators detectives and lawyers The trouble will find with
most of the Investigators that in their desire hold their
jobs and make good with him. they will bunk him with
gossip and scandal far they try make innuendo
and hallway talk take the place of cold facts In spite all
that he has opportunity to do wonderful good
With the graft that possible under the volstead law and
the protection that may be given influential volators of that
Justice should all times be headed by man who is not
partisan who has close party friendships that
hand Of the law The Attorney Of the United States
should not be partisan he always has BEEN under all
administrations Backed he is by great bureau of in
vesgao headed by of the worlds noted detectives he
should stand as perpetual to all wrong in office
without regard to political or other con-
nections.
long the Attorney General and the large number of
United States attorneys under him all political appontees
generally men who are continuous aspants for political
honorst will create hope in the minds of Government
hgherups Of the party that they things thew
should not do and depend political backing to save them
from actual clutches of the law.
Whatever administration into power in the November
elections of this year should remember that the Department
Of Justice is the prosecuting Of the Government that
should be that department be untrammeed in the fear
less and ruthless ahoming and prosecution of within
as well as without Governmental circles.
No matter how honorable or honest partisan Attornov
General may be- it is often difficult for him to resist power
full influences from within his party to soften contemplated
action for the sake of the party"