Evening star., 1949-08-16
] ne PoHtIC0I WH
Gen. Voughon's Presents
Disturb Man in the Street
Idea of Something for Nothing Seen
Reaching Into Highest Places
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

The propriety of the acceptance by high
Government officials OF presents" from Mai.
Gen. Harry H. Vaughan-presents valued at
from $400 to $500 each and for which Gen.
Vaughan did not pay-haS politically mind
ed Washington by the back hair Involved
also is the question whether these expensive
presents seven deep freezers, were made with
the expectation that Government taVors
later would be extended to Albert H. Verley
& Co., the Chicago perfume concern which
paid for the freezers. 1t is rarely the case
that something of real value is given for
nothing. Even the subsidies which are
handed out by the Government carry with
them the expectation that goodly number
of votes will be culled by the party in power
on election day.
Gen. Vaughan's explanation that the freez-
ers, two of which went to the Little White
House" in Independence Mo-, and to the
present Chief Justice of the United States.
were merely tokens of friendship does not
sound too reassuring. Nor does his state
ment that the freeZers were rejects or
valueless experimental models ring partic-
ularly true. In the first place, they were paid
for by the Chicago company. Second it
would appear incredible that Gen. Vaughan
or any one else should desire to place in
the Little White House or in the home Of
Chief Justice Vinson an article that might
That kind Of thing is not done.
Gifts Create Commotion.
This idea Of getting something for nothing
has spread into many places in this country
and to many people-in recent years. But
it now has apparently reached into the
highest places Many presents, it is true.
are made to the President and his wife by
admirers but these freezers are something
out of the ordinary. In addition to Mrs.
Truman and Chief Justice Vinson, the freez-
ers were sent to Secretary of the Treasury
Snyder, James K. Vardaman, jr., former naval
aide and now governor of the Federal Re-
serve Board; Matthew Connolly, presi-
dental secretary. the White House Staff. for
its own use,, and finally to Gen. Vaughan
himself. 1t has been said that the freezer
which was sent to Secretary Snyder was
never installed. Why, Mr.. Snyder will doubt
less explain.
In the light of the present revelations
before Senate investigating committee into
the use of influence in high places to OBJ
tain Government contracts these gifts have
created commotion of the first order 1t
will be strange if from the White House
there does not come before long a charge
that "red herring Is being drawn across
the trail by politically minded Republicans
and other enemies of the administration.
The charge may be couched in other Ian
guage, however. since the phrase was not
too happy when President Truman used it
to make light of charges of friendship for
Communists in governmental circles. But
whatever the language the effort will be to
make the inquiry into the deep freezers and
allied subjects seem black Republican plot.
Reports of Many Deals.
At the time the deep freezers were bought
and paid for and turned over to Gen.
Vaughans friends in 1945, John Maragon,
who has been described in the past as a
friend of President Truman and who is now
under investigation as a five percenter,"
was employed by the perfumer concern in
Chicago as it's European agent. That was
back in 1945.
If reports are true. Gen. Vaughan the
Presidents aide has had his fingers in many
a deal with the Government-for friends OF
his own or for the friends of his friends.
1t has already been testified that Gen.
Vaughan helped to obtain a construction
permit for the Tanforan race track near San
Bruno, Calf, at time when building ma
terials were scarce. Also, it is rumored that
Gen. Vaughan on, more than one occasion
had called the United States Maritime Com
mission and its officers in connection with
important shipping business. The Senate
committee doubtless will go into the matter
of Vaughan influence and how it has been
used, if used at all.
Political patronage is as familiar in WASH
ington as baby carriage but business pa
tronage through governmental influence. Is
something newer to the man on the street,
however much it may have existed.