The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-09
Fair Enough
nv WESTBROOK PEGLER
downright, 1915, by King Features syndicat

downright, 1915, by King Features Syndicate)
NEW YORK Nov. 8.-During Elliott Roose-
velt's examination by the Treasury in con-
nection with his washed-out debts, he was
asked whether Sid Richardson, of Fort Worth,
Tex. had ever asked him to intercede with
the federal government in any civil or crimi-
nal matter. Elliott had borrowed $4,000 from
Richardson without security.
"Mr. Richardson did ask me, on several
occasions. whether there wasn't anything !
could do to stop Mr.. Morgenthau from trying
to ruin every Independent oil operator" Ell
lott replied. "The threat Of the elimination
of the q IL per cent depletion was most
serious matter to Mr.. Richardson and he was
always complaining to me about that par
ticular feature 1 told him if he knew Mr..
Morgenthau like I knew him, he wouldn't ask
me to 60 to him because he was the type
of individual that such an approach, even on
behalf of friend, would be like waving a
red flag in front of bull.
However, Elliott did arrange social in
vitation to the White House for Mr.. Richard
son in the role of advocate OF his, Richard
sons. own, independent oil interests. In the
final settlement of Elliotts debts, Richard
sons loans to Elliott were paid, in full, with
shares of stock which Elliott had posted as
collateral with other lenders and which had
been recovered for trivial sums on represen-
tations by Richardson to Jesse Jones, that
the stock was worthless.
In his schedule of debts, given to Jesse
Jones. then Secretary of Commerce and chair
man of the RFC Elliott did not mention
his debt to Richardson.
Elliott said he introduced Richardson to his
father when President Roosevelt was guest
at a large party at his, Elliotts, home at
Fort Worth in the summer of 1887. In the
same year, certain Texas "hot oip' indict-
ments were settled abruptly, on pleas of nolo
contendere, within week after another party
in the Gulf of Mexico, attended by the Presi'
dent, Elliott, and some of the parties at in.
terest Elliott was then active in democratic
politics in Texas The President eluded his
press coverage that evening and told the
press party, in his bantering way, next day
that if he were journalist writing at space
rates, he could make lot of money. He
never told about the "hot oil' party.
Elliott was asked whether he knew any
thing about the hot oil conspiracy in Texas
and replied II certainly do
He was asked further whether Richardson
or Charles Roeser, another Independent oil
man, who also invested in his radio chain,
was "involved in that mess" and replied, 81
don't think they were at all.
do you remember any Of the newspapers
reciting that charges were made against oil
operators in the Texas hot oil conspiracy
II certainly do Elliott said. So. 60
did you take notice of the fact tn reading
the newspapers, that Richardson and Roeser
were among those charged with conspiracy
in this case?"
II knew that some Of the individuals In
Dallas with whom Richardson had done bust
ness had been under indictment" Elliott an
sWered. s'But I never knew that either Rich
orJe hoJ
There were rumors," the examiner con-
tinued, land don't know whether they were
founded on fact to the effect that Richardson
and Roeser were both involved in the hot oil
conspiracy and that you interceded with the
federal officials and member Of the Cabinet
in charge of the government oil lands on
their behalf''
Elliott denied knowledge Of such rurnors
and stated with emphasis that he never had
so interceded
Contrary, or slaunchwise, to this statement,
however, there is the declaration Of Richard
son, in the Treasury record, that Elliott got
him an invitation to the White House which
enabled him to intercede for the independent
oil men in the role of adviser or counsellor
to the President.
At one time during his Texas career Elliott
sent telegram to one "Steve' at the White
House, asking "Steve'' to hold everything un-
til he Elliott, could advise with Steve" in
a matter seriously concerning the financial in
terests Of a Texas power and light company.
The "steve' in this case is assumed to be
Steve Early, then secretary to President
Roosevelt.
The official memorandum to the Commits
sioner Of Internal Revenue in the present case
states that .'for some period between 1884
and 1899, he (Elliott was employed by the
Texas Electric Service Company, of Fl.
Worth, ostensibly as an advertising con-
sultant'; in his 1889 return, he reported in
come of S12 600 from this source"