The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-24
Harry Sinclair Today

R44ACAo41 AONc'J
A theory about money exists among the
cynical, expressed as follows: sit is not how
you get it, but have you got 2"
That theory too often appears to express
the truth.
"Men humble" it is commended" but
money talks"
The alI-expressive character of money, how
ever, fails sometimes. For example, the belief
that money GOV ers all sins and justifes all acts
has been shattered in the case of Harry Sinclair.
At the outset of the oil scandal it was quite
evident that Sinclair possessed firm faith IN the
"have you got it" theory.
His boldness and his arrogance, together
with his money, carried him long way.
AS business man, he was possessed OF great
ability He could organize. He had vast energy.
He instnctively knew the difference between
efficient men and mediocre. He didn't fear to
deal in large figures To him millions were as
dollars to men of lesser vision.
He saw the worldwide sweep of oil-lts tre-
mendous importance in the rapidly expanding
industrial era, mass production and interna-
tonal trade Harry Sinclair could 'put things
over" and make them stick.
Those very traits of boldness that made him
effective in his start as an oil man carried him
on beyond the zone Of legitimate business prac
tice With great wealth came great contempt
for those who didn't have it-and dreams of
greater power Harry Sinclair began to take
short cuts and he got caught.
But he thought money would carry him
through For months after the initial revela-
tions, it commonly was predicted that he would
get by" unscathed.
At first, the enormous Sinclair fortune was
sheld-an armor against his prosecutors But
the armor grew heavy time went on. Finally
it ceased to be shield and turned into great
weight.
The very prominence Of the man became
liability. One less prominent one less large
might have been lost in the shuttle of other and
more exciting public events. But Sinclair stood
out He was too big.
Because of his size he held public attention
No Snyder-Gray case, no great disaster, no war
or rumor of war, no happening whatsoever
was important enough or far-reaching enough
to bury Sinclair.
And so it came to pass that even those
cynical ones who thought money Justl1es ev-
crything now are saying that Sinclair IS gone.
Hero Of the racing world a few years ago.
owner of derby winner, leading player IN the
sport Of kings, master of a stable that not even
a king could afford, this "certain rich man"
now has been barred as an undesirable associate
by those who once faWned upon him.
It would be interesting to know the emo
lions of Harry Sinclair today. Such knowledge,
of course, is the exclusive property of Sinclair
himself. -
1t is probable that he would give all he
owns to have the slate washed clean and be
once again where he started, the young Kansas
drug clerk and that if he could thus turn
backward time in it's fight, he would not ever
depart from the way that is straight into paths
that are devious.
Wealth could have been his just the same.
For his ability was such that riches were in
eyitable And, besides, happiness could have
been his, too, and the esteem of his neighbors,
without which life, after all, with all the money
in the world, is mockery.
Rich though he is today, Harry Sinclair is
the poorest Of men.