The Washington herald., 1921-02-26
PITTSBURG BANKS
REBEL AT PRINTING
WAGE STATISTICS
Head of Clearing House
Association Refuses De-
mand of Williams.
SOLONS MAY MOVE
'ComptroIler's Call for Revela-
tions Concerning Salaries
Termed "Whim."

Efforts OF John Skelton Williams
retiring Comptroller of the Cur
rency. to force National banks to
reveal the salaries OF their of1cers
and employees has stirred up a con-
troversy, not without political sig
nificance, which probably VIII re-
suit in Congressional action to pro-
tect the banks. Mr.. Williams In MS
last call for statement showing
the condition of national banks. is
sued Thursday, stunned bankers by
demanding such information not
only for Treasury files but to be
published in the newspapers as part
of the banks financial statement.
The response from the banks ap-
parently was swift. The Pittsburgh
Clearing House Association, OF
which Andrew W. Mellon, slated as
the next Secretary of the Treasury.
Is the head. refused to comply and
the refusal was commented on yes
terday in a statement authorized by
Mr.. Williams.
Congress May Act.
Congressional action was fore
cast by Representative Louis Nc
Fadden of Pennsylvania, arch
enemy of Mr.. Williams, and princi-
pal to the controversy which pre-
vented Mr.. Williams receiving Sem
ate confirmation of his appointment
as Comptroller General. Mr.. Nc
Fadden, characterizing Mr.. Will
lfams' demand as mere attempt ito
satisfy the desires and whims of
the present acting comptroller gen.
eral, announced that he would in
troduce joint resolution to relieve
the banks of necessity of making
public such figures. That action
would be taken. Representative Nc
Fadden said. despite the fact that
he did not believe the national
banking law empowered the comp
troller general to make such a de-
mand.
According to the ruling made by
the Comptroller in the last bank
call. banks failing to comply with
his demand are liable to a penalty
of 500 daily until the figures on
salaries of the officers are forth
coming. In his statement regard
ing the refusal of the Pittsburgh
bankers to comply. Mr.. williams
does not say whether the Pitts
burgh bankers are the only group
that have not. reported. II Is sig
nificant- however. that the Comp
troller does comment on the Pitts
burgh Clearing Hous. of which Mr.
Mellon. who is to be Harding's Sec
retary OF the Treasury. is chair-
man. II is also significant in a
political way that Charles C. Dawes.
of Chicago. at one time strong con-
tender for the post of Secretary
OF the Treasury under the new Re
publican administration. was bitter
ly opposed by any number of Re-
publican leaders for his support OF
John Skelton Williams when the
ate for confirmation.
Williams Gives Reasons.
The reason given by Mr. Williams
for requiring banks to submit fig-
ures on salaries is:
The obvious inclusion of the
clause apparently found objection
able in Pittsburgh was to develop
tional banks is being diverted from
its proper function Of supplying le-
gftimate business to earn fancy
rates. and whether disproportionate
or improper amounts of the earn
ings OF banks are being expended
in salaries to officials. It is diff
cult to to see why bankers who
have used such money discreetIy
AMI with regard to the rights of
customers and shareholders should
object to making this information
nuhIic"