Detroit evening times., 1945-09-29
WESTBROOK
PEGLER I
Enough

T'HE verbatim testimony and
statements I AIKEN by the
treasury in the case OF Elliott
Roosevelt's 100000 loan from
-JehH Hartford, of the A, and 2.
grocery chain, reveal financial
double-squeeze-play reminiscent
of the mischievious pranks Of
get-rich-quick Wallingford and
his partner. Blackie Daw, as re-
lated by the late George RAN
dolph Chester, more than 20
years ago.
John Hartford, telling of his
futile attempt TO escape the bite
after Hall Roosevelt, Elliett's
uncle. had found" him for Ell
lott, told agents that the Presi-
dent previously had disapproved
a plan 10 lire Mrs Roosevelt
as a commercial broadcaster for
the A. and p.
Therefore. he said, he thought
he might escape the 100000
bite if he suggested that the
loan might embarrass the Presi-
dent.
However, he found that Mr..
Roosevelt was not one who en-
barrassed easily. Elliott called
at Hartford's apartment in the
Plaza Hotel in New York and.
for reply To Hartford's misgiv-
ings. picked up the phone and
called his father AT the Little
White House in Warm Springs, 4
Georgia
SL'LLIOTT said. Hello. Dad /"
IL Mr.. Hartford SAID in his
general statement, land In
formed his father that he was in
John Hartford's apartment and
said 'Hsrs's Mr.. Hartford and
handed the receiver TO me.
II inquired of the President
whether he WAS familiar with
the matter Of the proposed loan
requested by his son. Elliott, and
the President replied that he
knew all about ID and gave as
surance that he knew IL was
sound business proposition and
fine thing and that he appreci-
atrd any assistance and consid-
GRAFTON that I could give to
Elliott In this matter and ex-
tended 10 me an invitation to
call at the White House"
4 GAIN discussing the tele-
~ phone call 10 Warm Springs,
he said that when the phone
was handed 10 him Il said
Hello. Mr.. President. and
heard a familiar volce--a voice
that | had heard over the radio q
many times say Hello, John
He said he would appreciate
anything l could do for him.
(Elliott)
II then told Elliott I was go
ing Ia make him the loan, and
that the only reason I was MAXI
ing the loan was that his father
practically asked me To.
further told Elliott I was not In
terested In radio and was not
asking any faVors."
Q-"ln other words, having
spoken To the President you felt
that YOU had received all the
credit information you needed"
Al thought IL was better
than Dun d Bradstrsst"
after the President was 40
enthusiastic about it," Mr.. Hart
ford testified II felt I was on
the spot. I had to make a de-
cision right then and there and
I did not want To do anything To
incur the enmity Of the Presi-
dent. ! could have asked the
President to endorse the note. L
did not do 10 and would not do
So"
HARTFORD then Was asked
IL whether he felt that the
Presidents remarks were sort
OF moral guaranty and he re-
Piled Il certainly did"
At the time of the settlement.
Sid Richardson and Charles
RoeSer. Fort Worth oil men and
friends Of Elliott. who had been
dined several times at the White
House. wrote their opinion that
the stock Of Elliotts Texas
state network, which Hartford
had taken as collateral, was
worthless.
Jones'" he said. assured me
that Elliott was broke and in
solvent and the stock was WORTH
less and, being a member Of the
cabinet and head NJ the largest
hank In the world fthe RFCD.
that was all the assurance 1
wanted"
He added that Jones told
him Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt, too.
was broke.
THE stock is now worth more
l. than 500 A share. Hart
ford's 1000 shares. bought back,
for $1,000 of Jones money, BY
President Roosevelt's sugges
tion. now are worth more than
100000 at that rate.
These shares were transmits
ted by the President. himself.
IN Mrc L-iIiost DAocaXott utith