Evening star., 1922-06-16
Move for Dismissal of DEM
ocrats Selfish Scheme,
Says Secretary.
MYSTERY IN LISTING
OF OFFICEHOLDERS
Charge That Work Has Been Held
Back by Disloyalty Given
for Action,

secretary Mellon today branded as
false" the statement of a petition cir
culated among members or Congress
which bears the title "The Treasury
Department-Survey of the Personnel
! OF the Bureau of Internal Revenue
| the Key Positions Largely HELD by
Officials of a Former Administration
and Named and Checked From the
Official Record of the Department"
| Secretary Mellon said he had the
! statement brought to his attention
through the courtesy OF various re-
publican senators and representa-
tives.
The statement is SO false" said
Secretary Mellon, and for the most
part so ridiculous that in ordinary
circumstances | should hesitate to
ing circulated and has been published.
| SO that | think it well to set the rec
ord straight. The statement is the
product of a few selfishly ambitious
| employees and some dscredited former
| employees. and is apparently being
circulated in an effort to influence
the administration of the affairs OF
The affairs of the Treasury are Of
too great Importance to allow of in
| reference to its proper conduct
| through the introduction of petty
politics. This department, particu-
/
and the handling of the public debt,
must be conducted on business prin-
/ ciples and kept free at all times from
! detrimental influence.
| The administration OF the Treasury
| is in the hands of republicans and is
governed by republican policies.
Those democrats who hold positions
| in the Treasury have been retained
because of their qualifications for the
Offices they hold and l have had no
4 nNv ny 81
their part"
Secretary Mellon made his state
ment in connection with a petition
circulated among republican mem
bers of Congress asking President
Harding to uphold the policies of Mr.
Dover.
The petition, it was learned today
had received the signatures of about
$50 members, and plans were being
made to present 1t to the President
Circulated with the petition was a
document giving the names of almost
$50 officeholders who were declared to
be democrats and occupying key posi-
House members circuiat ting the peti-
ton said, were disloyal to the present
administration, and through their
lack of cooperation were holding up
the work Of the government. The
list Of names included officials in the
office of Secretary OF the Treasury
Mellon, the office of Commissioner
Blair of internal revenue. and the
different units Of the revenue bureau
as well as Undersecretary Gilbert,
| who was described as an active dem
ocratic politician" who took "the
stump for Gov. Cox in the campaign of
1920"
Who Compiled Listf
One of the biggest mysteries in the
situation was who compiled the list
of alleged democrats?" Charges were
freely circulated in the camps OF
both MIR. Dover and Mr.. Blair that
many persons had been labeled in
the list as democrats, who in fact
were loyal republicans. In that re-
spect there was agreement between
the Dover and Blair forces.
Commissioner Blair when informed
would make no comment for the
present while Assistant Secretary
Dover was in New York.
Soon after the inauguration of Mr.
Harding as President of the United
States said the document, "he be-
came aware that he was not receiving
the party support to which he was
entitled. and upon investigation he
found that the democratic ring was
in as complete control as II had been
during the previous administration.
In order to correct this situation anu
to effect a reorganization along party
lines, he secured the services of
Elmer Dover. a known stanch repub-
lican and organizer. and made MIN
assistant secretary of the Treasury.
ITO carry out this program a COM
mittee of republicans of known integ
rity was selected to secure intelli-
gence with respect to the personnel
of the bureau Of internal revenue.
This committee was chosen with the
knowledge and approval Of the Sec
Of hn " n n a
Of internal revenue, deputy commits
sioner and assistant deputy commits
sioner. The assistant deputy commits
sioner ordered the selection and ap-
proved the personnel.
Explicitly Instructed.
This committee was given explicit
instructions and delivered it's infor
nation to an agent of the bureau OF
internal revenue carrying authority
for the special work signed by Com
missioner David H. Blair.
''In further efforts to reorganize the
bureau Mr.. Dover prepared a list.
naming for key positions. to form the
nucleus, members of this committee
and other known loyal administration
men and recommended their approval.
This was not approved. and within
the last thirty days every member
has either been removed or trans
ferred to widely scattered points
without having been given the least
preference as to the location.
In the income tax unit. of the
seven men denoted and transferred
there are included four members OF
George Washington Post. No. !. OF
the American Legion. who served
their country in her extremity in the
world war.
1T is not believed that the Presi
dent of the United States or any
loyal American would countenance
the degradation and humiliation to
which these men have been and are
being subjected, in that they are be-
ing shadowed day and night like
| common criminals and their former
, associates have been warned not to
| associate with them or in any man
. ner communicate with them under
| penalty of losing their positions not
withstanding the fact that those who
have been transferred are still Of
!, ficers of the government and have
renewed their oaths Of allegiance
within the past week.
"The above removals and transfers
were suggested and promulgated by
| the democratic ring which Is still in
control OF the bureau"
The petition did not originate with
office seekers, or as a result for their
demands for positions, according to
leaders in Congress who claim to nave
been in close touch with the situation
aor more tnan six months. They say
I a. eAl ~ n