Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-02-16
J. G.. McNary is Center
of Violent Political
Melee
A BATTLE ROYAL
Senators, Congressman,
Cabinet Members at
Work in Fight Presi-
dent Seems to be LOosin
(By Isaac Gregg)

Washington FeD. ~ i"'
fight TO bring about the eonfirma
tion of the appointment Of James
G. McNarv to be Comptroller OF
the Currency today overshadow-
ed al minor issues before Con-
eress and tool; its place along
side greater questions of public
interest. This is because Presi-
dent Harding, members Of ms
Cabinet, Senators and powerful
politicians are all bringing the
strongest kind of pressures to
hear 10 effect confirmation of his
appointment.
Investigation reveals that there
is only a slight chance that the
President will win his fight. The
opposition to 9lcNary is so
strong that it can prevent confir-
nation at this session and it
seems that the opposition has the
upper hand because of the little
time remaining in which to fight
out the question of MeNary's fit
ness On the floor of the Senate.
Because the Comptroller of the
Currency has charge of all ma
ticnal banks in the country, hav-
ing more or less the power of life
and death over them under GER
tain circumstances, financial cir
cles have been greatly interested
in the McNary fight and are fol
lowing il closely.
Senator Mclean Of Connecti-
cut, Chairman of the Banking
and Currency Committee which is
considering the McNary nomina-
ton, said today that he did not
think McNary could be confirmed
and had so advised the President
and McNary'S friends in the Sem
ate. Senator Mclean is personal
ly opposed to the appointment
but would not stand in the way
of Z vote on confirmation if he
had any idea a vote could be OBJ
tained. However, he believes a
vot cannot be obtained and so will
not present the nomination to
the Senate if he does not change
his mind.
Senator Couzens. of Michigan,
himself man of large affairs, is
providing the main opposition to
McNary although large number
of Democrats and probably as
many rs ten or twelve Republi-
cans are also opposed to the ap-
pointment. Senator Pepper, OF
PENNSYLVANIA, originally was op-
posed 70 the appointment but fl
nally was won around to the Nc
Nary side through the influence
Of Secretary Of the Treasury
Mellon who sees absolutely moth
ing in the charges that have been
brought against McNary. Cou-
zens opposes the appointment be
cause il has been shown by the
records of the office of the Comp
troller of the Currency that Nc
Nary not long ago was engaged
in speculation in cotton while di-
recting the affairs of banks in
Las Vegas, New Mexico and El
Paso, Texas. McNary. who is in
Washington confidently expect
ing appointment, recently ap-
preached Senator CouzenS and
talked over the whole matter and
at the conclusion of the inter.
view. the Michigan Senator said
"If | were picking the PreSi.
dent for my own bank. l wOrlC
pick you beause you are spec
ulative banker and would max;
money. But | am determined Il
oppose you for this place for tina
very reason"
The lobby in Washington fol
McNary is one Of the Stronges
seen here for sometime. +. b
Creager. Republican Nationa
Committeeman from Texas. ant
4 close personal friend of IN,
President, is working tooth ant
nail for McNary as is Seeretar!
of the Interior Fall. Not fewe
than fifteen or twenty person.
my incas cd do mod on
frcm states as remote from
Texas as Indiana are also a
work for MeNary and the off
ees of members of the Senat,
are receiving dozens Of telegram
urging the appointment. TIL
work for McNary has all tAe eS
marks OF an organized propagan
ia which is the largest for an in
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