The Wilmington morning star., 1947-08-26
AS Pegler Sees 1t
by WEsTBROOK PEGLER

by WEsTBRooK PEGLER
Copyright, By King Features Syndicate Inc.)
NEW YORK, Aug. 25| have been thinking
that posterity ought to put up a real hand
some heap in recognition of my contributions
to the gaiety of history in my sweetly flowing
memoirs On the Roosevelts. Now and again, l
take myself aside and say, Look here, Peg
Ter, l wish you would remember to maintain
an airy, bantering style and a slight mock
ing cynicism because I note that sometimes
you get legheavy and flat-footed and go in
for pulling and hauling"
So, on the average, l manage an air Of
fippant contempt for the comedy, avoiding
anger and high-sounding morality but trying
all the time to make the study of history
easier for millions yet unborn.
Actually, I don't give a damn about FL
liott's character. All l care about are facts
and I insist that, but for me, posterity's his
tory and literature would have been denied
the story of a family without a like from the
beginning of time to the date of these pres
ents. To be sure, there were royal uxoricides
and matricides, adulterers and maniacs and
Woodrow Wilson had roguish moments when,
as it were, Sherman's horse got down off
the statue and chivvied a hanson all over
the park, whinnying salaciously at an incredu-
lous filly of inflexible proprieties and ad-
vanced years. Most of our Presidents, though,
have been mere moose-heads and muskel-
lunge, stuffed with kapok and hay and, but
for my resolute lnsistence against the idola-
tors, Frank D. would be, also, and his loved
ones wax nonentities.
I shall not recount my original contribu-
tons to the treasure which otherwise would
have been lost.
AS a historian day by day 1 am criticized
for delighting in the etfronteries Of Elliott,
but, what else, may I ask, has this strange
fellow to he remembered for at alp Ci1opoo
the story of his loans and defaults, his orgies
and his invincible gall and what have you?
A sketch for a 6-foot male, but not Elliott.
Now, during the recent quilting party in
Washington, Elliott, in his laundering way,
opened a wrong door and revealed a glimpse
that posterity will enjoy as another
impromptu scene at the fireside.
Elliott said his photo reconnaissance outfit
had sent back to the United States during
the war a Colonel Harry Edison who had
come through five missions.
"He was the Colonel Edison who was men
toned so much here" Elliott said.
1t seems that Colonel Edison also had been
a guest at some of Johnny Meyers basket
lunch parties at Ell Morocco and hay-rack
rides to the Waldorf.
Edison accomplished nothing On his assign
ment to Washington to get new planes. so
Elliott, poor devil, tore himself away from
the war for a dreary round of sordid relaxa-
ioi III WdSlllIiS II lew YORK and HOIIVWNN6
mostly on the cuff.
Elliott's second wife. Ruth Googins Roose-
welt, married Lieut-Col. Harry F. Edison on
June 70, 1914, about two months after she
divorced his commanding officer. Edison was
the plot OF a plane in which Elliott flew in
tne Iunlslan campaign. The record does not
state fatty that Elliott ever flew his own
plane on actual combat missions, although
ne came home clanking with medals.
In the Official report of tho Tro,c,r,, ~
the investigation of Elliott's defaulted loans
ana strange financial practices. Mrs. Edison
swears that on Nov. g, 1913. President Roose-
welt sent her $500 shares of Texas State
Network, which Elliot had financed largely
by gypping suckers.
John Hartford. of the A and D oro.
Gerry chain, and David G.. Baird, a rich insur-
ahce man, gave up their stock collateral for
Two cents On the dollar and We're trimmed
1r roughly $245, 900, they were told that the
STOCK was no good. Both said they believed
snls and turned in their certificates to Jesse
Jones', who delivered them to Presi-
dent Roosevelt at the White House. The old
man Md them so we'll that Elliott couldn't
IND them later, though he tried. Hartford's
notes iron Elliott were destroyed. Baird turn
ed over to Jones notes made to him bv FL
lott for a total Of Sic, 900. Baird indorsed
them without recourse" The mere destruc-
ton OF Hartford's notes and the surrender
'O'So ~ JUICE COOh I1lOCI Ouu OF
debt. Without paying a dime he was forgiven
debts OF about $500, 900. But more than that.
the old man wheedled back the stock, which
ne then turned over to Ruth. In two years.
the stock was worth $3.50, 600, divided between
her and her children of Elliott. as alimonv.
Now Edison is married to the girl with the
fortune and Elliott's notes which Ruth holds
are still alive and may be presented for COL
lection any time Elliott seems to have any,
thing.
About taxes on this fortune. I lust don't
know. The Treasury handed the Roosevelts
special treatment amounting to a great per-
sonal GIT from the taxpayers. The old man
gave the stock and notes to Ruth and the
glver is supposed to pay the tax on a gift,
Inc glver is dead but he left a rich estate
SO what now? Do the Roosevelt heirs pav a
grit tax on Elliott's alimony to the present
wne OF his former Army pilot? And if so.
cant you hear the calm and stately accents Of
me happy circle, especially sister Anna as
1ney express their feelings about Elliott and
Ruth? A1o'' aHo
Posterity better clip this little message for
nis'oIlcal reference. There never was an out
lit like this Roosevelt family