Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-28
PRESENT THE Ey1DENcE.

sists in his assertion that during the past few wears
large numbers OF counterfeit government bonds
have been printed and that they are now in the
hands of unknown numbers of people scattered
throughout the country. Secretary Mellon declares
that the statement is unfounded, and that the in
vesrgations OF the secret service department have
failed to reveal the existence of any counterfeit gov
eminent securities whatever.
Mr.. johnson tells of specific information which
ne has submitted to the department of Justice, of
lists of counterfeit bonds in his possession. of the
discharge OF a former assistant registrar for calling
the attention of his superiors to frauds in the issu-
ance OF bonds and demanding an investigation. Mr..
Mellon outlines the activities of the secret agents Of
the government in the detection of frauds in connec-
ton with currency and government securities, and
says that not only are there no known cases of
spurious bonds; but the quantity of counterfeit cur
rency extant is unusually small.
Statements from the two sources are made con-
corning what appears. to be the same incident. Mr..
Johnson tells of a negro taxi driver in Washington
who was arrested with thirty counterfeit one-thou-
sand dollar bonds in his possession. Mr.. Mellon
says that a negro driver-presumably the same one
was arrested with a package of bonds in his
possession, but that these were genuine bonds which
had been stolen. z
A situation has been created which demands in
vestrgatlon right down to the bottom. Several mil
hon people own government bonds. They have re-
garded the security of the investment represented in
these bonds as absolute and unquestionaHe The
suspicion that spurious bonds are afoat in large
numbers will create doubt in the minds Of these
holders as to the validity of their own holdings. II
there is proper basis for this doubt the country
should know Instantly jnstSwhat it is, and if there
S no basis for It THAT fact should BE made known so
circimstanfial1y and with such authority that the
doubt viii At once be removed.
Mr.. Johnson's statement. as it stands, is not
sufficient. II IS unthinkablc that he should have
made such J statement without having access to
what he regarded as convincing proofs. The coun-
try has a right % know Just what thcse supposed
proofs are, and where he got them. 11n the other
hand, Secretary MELONS denial does npk cover the
situation. A member of congress slhayss made .
definite charge affecting the credit ofSsthe country
through the reputation Of its securities, and affect
ing the interests and the happiness &ofg millions 1of
people. Oficially he cannot beacailed in qaestion
elsewhereAfo Tor any statements made ill., congress.
His position gives him immunity But = demand
Tor all the information in his poSsession can Sc and
shouldSbe made b foFrefully that he can1otaiRnore II
even should he sbe 50 nclined:.#sIh stateine,1t by
the is insufficient Fit isa untrue there should BE q
convincing characterization 81 its untrpth. The
sxecttive Department. and congress iitself shoulds
eo-operate 1n. 1etting right down tos#4hessbhottc1a of
these charges, otherwise there wiAsbea4 lingering
ilapressi6no # insecusity II sconnectiehNNf III gov-:
Whst Ill hueh fee vc4srss II E M must
= hANnaSy 49, JJinn Reeds attempfs to claim + ap-
prOsai ~ Wo9drow Wilson. 81
66naF Sesssaaa nxauHsr n,sar1f snNn;ss9 TvnnNE 60.