Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-30
TALKED TOO MUCH.

The endorsement Of North Dakota bonds by Frank
White. treasurer of the United States, has called forth
Considerable comment, among the articles on the subject
being this from the New York Times;
Now 1t. is the Treasurer of the United States who Is
made to realize by sad experience that silence is golden
and that some Government officials need to put them
selves on q gold basis. By the Revised Statutes every
ofhcial OF the Treasury Department is forbidden to have
anything to do with the selling of State or municipal
bonds and there is a rule in the Treasury Department to
that effect. The gufleless Treasurer makes a Statement
In behalf Of a certain issue Of State bonds. He makes it to
a man from his own State who is seeking an CONCEAL
statement he says, for the benefit Of the bonds.
The statement published in an advertise
ment, has to be called by the Treasury entirely without
authority Of the Treasury Department" The too vocal
Treasurer has to style the use of it "unauthorized."
Why did he make it? Something. perhaps may be
forgiven to a man new in Office, though to break the
rules of the Treasury Department seems rather an odd
way of learning them. There is one rule. however, that
some officials of this Administration, whose honors come
upon them like new garments. neei to practice: Don't
talk too much" In every latitude and longitude from
Washington to London and around the world this Is a
mighty good motto for a public servant"
The st. Paul Dispatch also has this to say on the
subject:
IF Frank White had so little understanding Of the
nature and responsibility of the office of United States
treasurer that he had to be told that he could not give
an Official endorsements of securities issued by any other
authority than the United States government, as he says,
he is an unsafe man for the Office. He might, with no
more improperly, have pat the backing of the govern
ment behind some mining or oil stock If his explanation
be accepted at its face value, his innocence is childlke.
Mr.. Whites statement that he had no intention Of
using his ONCE to promise the sale of North Dakota
bonds will not wash. He knew and could not help know
ing that his opinion was asked because he was treasurer
of the United States, and not because he was a mere
citizen Of North Dakota or a former governor of that
state. Mr.. White had no idea it was to be used it is
said. Did he think the agents selling those bonds wanted
q statement from him to paper a wall or. light their pipes
with?
TT was as improper for Mr.. White to indorse the
bonds of his own state as those of any other state or city
or private company. If such a thing were permitted.
there would be a great scramble from every state for that
office for the purpose OF boosting local securities!
THE hackers Of those North Dakota bonds are trying
to sell sthentin big or little lots to anybody that will take
one or more. to widows and the guardians Of orphans. TO
persons with little savings to invest. A declaration inn
plying that the. bonds in question will surely be. paid prin-
ycipal and interest, on the day when due, bearing the
signature. Frank White. Treasurer Of the United States
of America" is we'll calculated to make such securities
look - good as a government bondtif not better, to un-
ADMINISTRATIONS. Yet Mr.. White saw no Improperly In
putting his Official 20. k on paper that many who
make ! business of investing in securities and know how
10. Judge their value, will not touch 1T the prices odered!
sssssSSs AZ IS nj without significance that Mr.. White all
though notaSaffiliated with the Nonpartiaan league. was
jnASaed forsappointment to his present place by Senator
LAdd.s 1Jonpsrtisan Lacquer, only about = month ago."