From Washington Straight

Will Beck Be Back?

The magnificent House that Beck Built still rears its arrogant facade across the plaza from the U.S. Capitol, but the Boss of the Teamsters Union is not at home. Figuratively speaking, the curtains are drawn and, literally speaking, his chief assistants are avoiding reporters. The most pertinent question, in this reporter’s opinion; is not, “When is Dave coming home?” but rather, “Is Dave coming home?” The situation is reminiscent…. On October 25, 1923, after eighteen months of investigation, public hearings were opened on what came to be known as the “Teapot Dome scandals.” Two key witnesses were “unavailable.” They were traveling in Europe. Some thirty years later Henry Blackmer, President of the Midwest Oil & Refining Co., made a settlement through his attorneys and came home to die. James E. O’Neill, chief executive of Prairie Oil & Gas, died abroad. In the interval these gentlemen lived peacefully on the Riviera. No subpoena server cast his unwelcome shadow across their paths. No power of the Senate could budge them. Like Beck they were men of wealth and power, and like Beck they were badly wanted by a Senate Committee.

SJ

About the Author

Sam M. Jones

Featured Tags

Will Beck Be Back?

The magnificent House that Beck Built still rears its arrogant facade across the plaza from the U.S. Capitol, but the Boss of the Teamsters Union is not at home. Figuratively speaking, the curtains are drawn and, literally speaking, his chief assistants are avoiding reporters. The most pertinent question, in this reporter’s opinion; is not, “When is Dave coming home?” but rather, “Is Dave coming home?” The situation is reminiscent…. On October 25, 1923, after eighteen months of investigation, public hearings were opened on what came to be known as the “Teapot Dome scandals.” Two key witnesses were “unavailable.” They were traveling in Europe. Some thirty years later Henry Blackmer, President of the Midwest Oil & Refining Co., made a settlement through his attorneys and came home to die. James E. O’Neill, chief executive of Prairie Oil & Gas, died abroad. In the interval these gentlemen lived peacefully on the Riviera. No subpoena server cast his unwelcome shadow across their paths. No power of the Senate could budge them. Like Beck they were men of wealth and power, and like Beck they were badly wanted by a Senate Committee.