GOVERNMENT: The Five-Percenters

Many a businessman, looking for Government contracts, has gotten lost in the bureaucratic jungle of Washington. But as every businessman should know, there are guides, known as five-percenters, to lead bewildered contract-seekers out of the swamp in a hurry. The guides, usually former Government officials or ex-Congressmen, know or claim to know the right people. For a retainer and 5% on the gross of any contract obtained, "influence" will be put to work. Few officials will admit that such influence exists, although it is part & parcel of the Governments patronage system....