Omaha daily bee., 1921-06-03
Harding Meets
Financiers for
Consultation
Contrary to Report. New Presi.
dent Not First to Hear Views
Of Business Authorities
On Problems.
BY HOLLAND.

President Harding was not til
first OF the presidents to meet grou
OF men who had gained influence an,
distinction in finance and industry
although the statement was published
that none OF his predecessors wor,
even in consultation with eompan,
made up OF men who were OF conse
quenee in the field of finance and in
dustry.
President Grant did this, although
the place OF meeting was not at the
White House, where recently the
meeting by invitation between Har-
ding and a strong group OF financial
leaders took place. General Grant
came to New York for the purpose
OF meeting considerable company
of those who were identified with
the larger banking and financing
operations of the time. The So
called imitation bill had been passed
by congress and was in the presi-
dents hands. Grant met the New
York fnaneiers at the Union League
club He was with them some six
hours. He listened intently to all
they had to say. He asked many
questions, but it was impossible to
gather from his words or the ex-
preston OF his face what was in his
mind. He went back to Washington
and day or two later vetoed the in
fiation bill, writing with his own hand
and in the seclusion OF his room the
veto message.
Met PresiGsnt Lincoln.
Several times. New York Boston and
Philadelphia fnanciers met President Ltu-
coin At the White House. At his REQUEST
cf value to the president and TO the sec
retary. OF the treasury Mr., Chase when
formulating important financial policies
President Harding seems unconsciously
to have followed the example set by Presi- |
dent Grant at his meeting in Now York
with the leading financiers OF that day.
For Il is the understanding, probably due |
to some things that have been said by the !
New York and Pittsburgh financiers who !
met the president. that while Harding
asked many questions earnestly seeking in
formation, he did not in any way convey
TO those who were with him the sense that |
he had made UP his mind ard that he
important financing, business ard indus
trial conditions so that perfect order may
come out Of confusion.
There may be other conferences. Men
ot finance of the west and of the south
will probably meet at some time hereafter
with Presideh. Harding and give their
ssw' 70 him f5,r, n this sons way ne w,l be
representing nation wide public opinion. by
which the administration may be guided.
No Procrastination.
This gathering at the White House last
week and others which are to take place
that the administration will not permit
or unreasonable delay in
the handling Of important matters. One
came from the Secretary Of the
Treasury Mellon. He is reported to have
said that the allied loans will all be
stsss M sod "a
mately $4,000, ooo. 900 OF the bonds OF for.
eign government. the interest upon which,
approximately sboo,ooo,oo. is sure to be
paid when due.
This gathering at the White House ct
men of finance and the part which Secre
informal discussions at the dinner table
Ind later make it opportune to speak now !
y the impression that the secretary OF
ne treasury h has estaelishsd With the
When he became secretary of the treasury
n March a report was circulated that he :
'ad accepted the porfoG with
main in that office possibly not longer than
Report Not Justified. 1
No 1ustiflcatfon Tor that report was ever
made. In fact Mr.. MELONS friends know
hat he had no mental reservations OF
hat kind, but that he accepted the post ]
TO remain in it. Mr. Mellon
lad achieved greatly both as banker !
nd as constructive force in industry.
Ie had gained fortune which ranked
linn among the first hundred men of
wealth in the United States He began
o realize. however, that ali that remained !
or him TO do was to assist in caring for
he various properties which his name
IDENTIFIES.
The Treasury department offered an op-
such came to Governor Chase t
a civil war days and to John Sherman a
a the reconstruction period Secretary 9
'hase was able. with the aid OF congress, b
o finance the expenses Of the war. John II
herman, authorized by congress so han o
led the Treasury department that the re- o
umption of specie payments on January t,
, 1879. was made without ripple.
Now the secretary OF the treasury has N
efore him problems which, represented by s.
Igures, are in billions and which also s.
lvolve the establishment Of permanent 8,
nd satisfactory International relations. So 81
ar as the secretary of the treasury can Z;
Ct, he can greatly aid securing a perfect 81
adjustment in commercial, financial and 81
,dustriai conditions. An opportunity Of Il
his kind was sure to appeal to man
{ the intellectual and business ability a,
hieh has always characterized Mr.. Mel | 1,
N. fc
Representative men Of finance believe Il
1af the country has a yery ahle states / I.