One of the more refreshing developments in the Watergate scandal was the honesty and integrity of bureaucrats. R. W. Thrower, who died March 8, is a wonderful example. Mr. Thrower was the head of the I.R.S. from 1969-1971.
According to his obituary in the Times, he did a number of good deeds in his short tenure, one of which was to revoke the tax-exempt status of private schools that excluded blacks, and another was the Tax Reform Act of 1969, which eliminated some loopholes from the rich. Did I mention he was a Republican?
When various White House staff members demanded audits of the tax returns of anti-war activists, journalists, civil rights leaders, and every Democratic senator up for re-election in 1971, he asked for a meeting with President Nixon. He was sure the President was not aware of what was happening.
In response to his request he received two responses: first, a memo telling him a meeting with the President was not possible, and second, a phone call from John Ehrlichman telling him he was fired.
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