Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-18
SECRETARY GLASS
ROASTS M'FADDEN
Tells Pennsylvania His Letter
Is a Deliberately Menda-
cious Communication"
RETURNS IT TO THE WRITER
Congressman Had Demanded to
Know Authority for Retention
of Comptroller Williams.
RETURNS IT TO THE WRITER

WASHINGTON. March l7-Dcciar-
ing 1t TO he "ofcnsively impcrtincnt"
and deliberately mcndacious." Secrc-
tary OF the Treasury Glass today re-
turned letter written to him by
Representative l.. r. McFadden. Rcpub-
lican. OF Pennsylvania. In what Mr.
McFadden termed "shor, note the
secretary declared that he did not care
10 retain tho ConErcssman's letter in
his hles
The communication which gave Of
tense to o'Secrctary Glass questioned his
right TO designate John Skclton will
iiams as Comptroller Of the Currency
in the absence of specific legal au-
thori,y." Mr.. Williams five-ycar term
expired February =. His rcappoint-
mcnt b: the Presidcn, was not con-
iirmcd b. the Senate and the Presi-
dent did not make a recess appoint
ment.
Secretary Glass continued him in the
office after obtaining an opinion on
the legality Of the step from the At
torney General.
THE LETTER no
McFADDEN FOLLOWS
am returning your letter Of
II for my hles. Furthermore l take
leave TO put YOU on notice that if you
desire mformation concerning any Of
treasury while ! am the incumbent
ol the oiiice. you may get it promptly
given distinctly 10 understand that
recognize no obligation to respond to
atcLy mendac!ous communication such
as am now sending back TO you"
GLASS ACTS ON ADVICE
or ATTORNEY
After Mr.. McFadden had made public
his letter, Secretary Glass issued u
statement explaining that he had
acted upon the advice of the Attorney
Generai in continuing Mr.. Williams as
coinptroller pending further action by
the President.
:, Replying TO the secretary Mr. Nc
Fadden disavowed any intention of
giving any ofcnse to the Cabinet Of
press, the Pennsylvania Congressman
announced that there appears 20 be
prospect OF quo warranto proceed
inSs TO test the right OF the Secretary
OF tic Treasury TO designate John
SHELTON Williams as Comptroller Of
the Currency in the absence OF spe-
eihe legal authority. think there is
sufficient ground TO test The case BY
Wit of quo warran:o.
All. McFadden's interest in the ca Sc
OF Mr. Williams dates back 10 certain
nectior will bank with which the
Congressman is prominently associated.
He also is member Of the House
Banking and Currency Committee
whose functions nc says, arc not
Irrelevant 10 matters affecting the
Treasury Department including the
comptroller'S office"
McFADDEN RENEwS REQUEST
TO SECURE INFORMATION
MI: McFadden renewed his rcoues,
Tor information as 70 the authority
under which the secretary acted in
continuing Mr.. Williams in office Hc
added:
~ did not intend to injec; person
alities into this question and do not
intend TO do so now: neither do pur-
pose being diverted from my lcgitirnat .
and proper quest for information re-
specting. an important public Office by
taxing afront at the tone OF your
communication. Let us take for grant
cd that you believed you had ground
Tor oHensc and then permit us 10 pro-
coed TO the salient features OF the case
Eor sou 10 characterize my letter
as del!Dcratciy mendacious' might also
nc defined as offensive. But pass
that over. for the present because |
90 not wish 10 obscure tho real. vital
point al ISSUE