New-York tribune., 1922-06-17
1870 in House
Ask Harding to
Dust Democrats
Petition Offered by Repub'
licans Demanding Thor
ough Housecleaning OF
Internal Revenue Bureau
President Silent on Plea
Mellon Denounces Petty
Politics.: Denies Fayor'
itism Is Shown Minority


yyoD, The Tyibsres Woshirg'os BUreas
WASHINGTON. June le.-The trou.
bic over efforts Of certain Rs7ublican'
70 oust Democrats from The Bureau Of
Internal Revenue took n new turn 20
day when a petition bearing the names
Of 1870 Republican members q tho
House and asking house cleaning o.
the bureau was presented y the Fxec-
utiye ONCE through Representatives.
Begg. II Ohio, and Wood. Of Indiana
Secretary Of the Treasury Mellon
gave out a statement relative % the
survey OF the personnel Of The Bureau
of Internal Revenue in which ho
charged the statement that fsvof.tism
il shown 10 Democrats WAS fal5e. lie
declared the Affairs Of the Treasury
could not be interfered with By petty
politics.r Inasmuch az Mr. Mellon IT,
sued this statement after the Cabinet
meeting, 6. was looked on as indicating
the President would not override the
Secretary In the Decentralization
controversy.
IN a speech In the Senate, Senator
caraway predicted Secretary Me.lon
would have 70 90 because he would not
yield 70 the wishes o. the Job hunters.
Representatives Begg end Wood did
not see the President and qui. the
White House Offices after leaving the
petition with George p. Christian jr,
Secretary 20 the President. The rep
resentatiyes declined to eommen, upon
their action.
President Silent on Petition
Al the White House 10 was said that
the President had received the coei-
mcnt but had absolutely no comment
10 make. He was informed also con.
cerning the statement Of Secretary o.
the Treasury Mellon, but upon no
phase Of the difficulty would the Fresl-
dent commit himself at this time.
Secretary Mellon, commenting on the
petition, said;
the most part 30 ridiculous tnat ia
ordinary circumstances ! should hesi-
tate to take notice Of it. Il is, however
being circulated. and has been pub
lished. so that think il is well % set
the record straight. The statement IS
the product Of a few selhshly ambitious
employees and discredited former en-
ployees and is apparently being cirou-
lated in an effort 20 influence the ad-
nlinistration Of the Treasury.
"The affairs Of the Treasury are or
TOO great Importance 20 allow Of inter
ference 10 its proper conduct through
the introduction OF petty politics. ms
department, particularly the collection
OF the revenue and the handling OF
the public debt, must be conducted on
business principles and kepf free 70
an times from detrimental irhucr es.
"The administration OF the Treasury
is in tho hands Of Republicans and is
governed By Republican policies. These
Democrats who hold positions in the
Treasury have been retained because
Of their qualifications for the once
they hold and have had no evidence
Of partisan activity on their part
Caraway Hits "Hypoerlsy'
Senator Caraway said IN the Senate
speech that IL the Republicans wanted
the ohces they should take them with
out hypocrisy and without trying. 20
blacken peoples reputation as they
did in the removals Of Bureau OF In
craving and Printing employees.
In tho course Of his speech Senator
Carsway turned over 10 Senator King
a letter which made grave charges re.
latinc TO the moral conduct Of one Of
the high oficials OF the Bureau OF En-
senstor King said the charge IN
volved a hfteen-year-old girl, and he
announced he would demand an in
vestigation by the Civil Service Com
mittce.
Referring 70 proposed removals in
the Internal Revenue Bureau, Senator
Caraway said: THE victims are noti-
fed tha. they may seat themselves for
execution and lay their recks urder
the euillotine because Elmer Dover hos
said il and the President has not tae
courage TO deny them what thcy de-
mard
Senator'S King ani Pomerera Joined
In f,e discussion. Senator King saiii
T have believed thai President
H,iding came % the Presidency with q
SINGER. desire 90 serve his country ard
20 discharge the important duties o.
that hi~h oficc with an eye single 20
the progress and wei are OF this groa
Republic. Revelations are disclosed
from day 20 day somewhat % revise
my opinion of the patriotism Of our
President. or AZ least ! am compelled
to believe that he is being dominated
and controlled by those Who desire 20
prostitute the government for he adj
vancement OF partisan ends"
S. p. Gilbert ir, Under Secretary az
the Treasury, in a reply to-r yht u thc
statement being circulated az me Capi-
ol. which carried bis name a. holding
one Of the "key positions held b. ofi-
c.als OF the former Adm nistratIon.'
declared lie never had been in politics
and. instead Of being q Democrat, ale
ways hoc been C. Bcruo.ican. The
reply was In letter sen, to Reprcsor-
tatiye BeCg.