The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-07-16
POLITICS MAKES STRANGE,
 ETC

The peculiar deals involving Con- ereSsional war profiteering revive similar shenanigans by legislators in the past. About a century ago a group of businessmen borrowed $200,0o0 and incorporated the Gen. tral Pacific Railroad Then they used the 200GS to bribe Congress- men to steal railroad franchises. The 200 Gs eventually secured land grants for nine million acres and q Federal loan of $27 7,000 000
 The swindlers became rich and powerful railroad owners without investing penny of their own money!
 The Tweed Ring was the most corrupt gang that ever afflicted New York. Boss Tweed filched mil lions via bribery and legalistic ho- cus-poclls until he was finally put behind bars But Tweed beat the rap many times After one Grand Jury failed to dig up enough evidence to indict Tweed, an edi- torialist wrote that 1t reminded him of the man who had been dlseoV- cred dead and the jury were puzzled as to what caused his death.
 The jury finally issued this re- port: Tt was an act of God under very suspicious circumstances.
 Capitol Hill is now burdened with too many demagogues. But the current batch aren't gifted with Huey Longs evil talent He was a willy rat A reporter once saw a page from Huey Long address Various instructions were penciled in the margins Such as pause here, and use angry fist gesture, " etc.
 At the end of one long paragraph, the following was scribbled in capi- tai letters: Argument weak here. Yell like hell!'
 During the Teapot Dome probe politico mixed up in the mess was asked: Did you ever steal an elec- tion?"
 ''oh, no!' was the straight-faced retort. T paid for it"
 Sam InsulI erected his financial empire by bribing legislators via huge campaign contributions. He could make and break politicians with his checkbook Insull once boasted that q politieo in Chicago offered to sell his entire organiza- ton to him for million dollars
 The most revealing history Of political corruption in America can be found in reporter Lincoln Stef- fens' tonnes. His eXpozays sent many grafters to the hoosegoW or into oblivion. He once turned out a three volume history of political -flamming in one city and then complained; T lacked enough space to put all the incidents of nefarious political activities into those books. a
 One machine in the East doesn't miss vote-getting trick. The boss sends toys to the children of vot- CTS. He uses expensive chauffeured cars to bring the voters to the polls. And on Election Day he sends nurs- es to take care of tots while moth- CTS vote.
 No one has ever estimated how much money grating officials have fllched. But the sum reaches as- tronomical figures. One fact will give you faint idea Of the rocking that the public has taken-and is still taking. When Tammany was riding high it's take during one year was s75,00o,000.
 The influence of corrupt political bosses on national affairs cannot be overestimated, Many lawmakers are merely errand boys for local ward heelers. A reporter recently snapped: This Is truly mechani- cal age. Even public officials are frequently machine made"
 Harry M. Daugherty was the lead- CT of Harding's Ohio gang. As At torney General, he had 1t within