Evening star., 1923-12-30
Real Workers in the National Capital

felt the difficulty Of the position at first.
The reporters were perhaps unduly
careful in propounding questions to one
Of the richest men in the world. It was
easy to see that he had not been ac-
customed to cross examination. On his
ne nas9re Of fbe
which he dealt daily that he feared
lest crudity OF phrase or misun-
derstanding Of the elements involved
might make needless trouble. Now the
reporters and the Secretary know each
other we'll.
'He is one Of the simplest and mos,
candid Of men," say the correspondents.
HE talks to US freely"
Keeps Reporters Instructed.
While that is the fact, 1t is also true
that he prefers to issue communiQues.
He keeps the reporters instructed on
national and international finance, but
when/he has a statement to make 1t is
almost Invariably written one. His
is and always will be the bankers at
| titude. Thanks to their knowledge OF
the situation the reporters can write
accurately on their own account, but
he can only be held responsible for his
written words
1t is doubtful II he has ever put in
words what must be his knowledge
Of the fact that his Is a position OF
extreme difficulty. On the one side
Is Congress-, pressing for more money,
still suffering from a hangover of ex-
travagance dating from the war times,
when millions were thrown away like
birdseed. On the other, is the public,
resenting over-taxatfOn and yet de-
mandiHg more money from the Treas
ury for every sort OF cause. Between
times he has to resist his fellow mem
bers Of the cabinet, each of whom is
perfectly willing that every other de-
partment shall be made to economize.
but do not touch mine"
Mr.. Melons policies are perfectly well
debtors should pay. because borrowed
money should always be repaid. That
Is business. But he would not press
them unduly until they are able to pay.
That is business, too. He believes that
lower taxes would not only relieve the
individual pocketbook but would give a
tremendous forward impetus to busi-
ness. He thinks that any savings we
may be able to make in the conduct
Of our national business should be de-
of being spept Great fortunes should
pay their proper share of taxes, but
unfair taxation is confiscation.
An Optimist Above All Else.
Above all else he is an optimist. No
man in the United States. perhaps.
is as widely interested in foreign busi-
ness as he, through his holdings of
stocks and bonds. His fellow members
OF the cabinet are almost daily being
astounded at the vast stretch and in
timacy of his knowledge of affairs. In
defiance Of the pessimists, who think
the world is going to the dogs, he be-
lieves 1t Is getting better. He is able
to foresee an era Of renewed peace and
solvency In Europe. He Is certain of
the essential sanity and solidity Of his
own land.
But all without blah. No wind. no
oratory, no eloquence. Always the
bankers point Of view:
1.-TWO and two have always made
four" he says in effect. They always
will Taxation cannot be reduced by
increasing taxes. Prosperity cannot be
encouraged by hamstringtng prosperity"
Politicians have almost stopped trying
to talk politics to him. He Is not in
terested in popularity. He does not
care to have babies named Andrew w.
Mellon Smith. Jobs are not swapped
for votes in the Treasury. He is there
to do business In a non conversational
sort of way, but always business.
Uncle Sam pays him $4,000 a year.
II his services were put on the market
the bidding would be in the millions.