Evening star., 1952-02-03
The Problem of Political Influence

There is nothing really clear-cut or dehni-
tive in the conclusions offered by the Senate
Investigations Subcommittee in it's report on the
dealings of William M. Boyle, jr., and Guy George
Gabrieson with the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation
AS far as Mr.. Boyle is concerned the report
emphasizes that no evidence has been found to
indicate that he did anything "illegal or inn
moral" when he dealt with the RFC as paid
representative Of the American Lithofold Cor
poration while serving at the same time as the
unpaid acting chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee. Nevertheless, since it is
reasonable assumption" that his political po-
sition Influenced favorable action on the COM
panys previously rejected loan applications, the
subcommittee has concluded that his conduct
was not such that 1t would dispel the appear
ance of 'wrongdoing."
Similarly, in the case of Mr.. Gabrielson who
is treated somewhat more gently in the report,
the subcommittee has found no llegality or i'm
morality and mo evidence of improper infu-
ence." Even so, it has declared that he should
not have appeared before the RFC as the paid
representative of Carthage Hydrocol, Inc, after
having become the unSalaried chairman of the
Republican National Committee. The reason for
this, in the subcommittee opinion, is that all
such activities "are bound to lead to charges OF
LmpTOpTleCy, TeSdIOlcSS VI W4lSGlSI GIlc CAAd1Sco
are right or not.
Thus, the picture we have here is picture
of two men against whom there has been no
evidence Of "illegal or immoral action-or even
of Improper influence" in Mr.. Gabrielson's case.
Yet the subcommittee, because of their political
positions has found that their activity before
the RFC was such as to create "the appearance
of evil" or lead to charges of impropriety." Ac-
cordingly-even though the appearance may
have been deceiving and the charges il-founded
the Senate investigators have set forth the
principle that it is not "in the interest of good
government for paid or unpaid officials OF either
national committee to handle matters before
Government agencies in those cases in which
they are receiving salary or fee"
Maybe this principle would do some good
If it were adopted and put to work, but Mr..
Gabrielson, for one, thinks little of it. In his
view, as matter distinct from sleazy or corrupt
influence pedding, IAN honest businessman
should not be foreclosed from engaging in honest
business relationships with his Government while
serving as an unpaid official of national COM
mittee."
Further, there is reason to doubt that the
principle enunciated by the Senate subcommit
tee means a great deal in terms Of cutting
down on the exercise of political influence in
our national life The proposed ban would be
limited to national committee officials, and only
in instances where those officials were repre-
senting clients on salary or fee basis. But
what about other offlcials? What about Sem
ators and Representatives?
Actually, the problem Of political influence
is a thing we are always going to have with us.
It is not harmful in ITSELF Indeed, when exer-
cised properly. 1t can do good. Realistically
speaking since it cannot be outlawed, its abuse
can be checked only by the consciences and
probity of the people in position to exercise
it-that, plus periodic watchdog investigations
like the Senate subdA Ammittee's.