Evening star., 1923-11-08
Political Aims Seen and Denied
In Pinchot-Mellon Dry Act Tilt

Politics is read into the controversy
between Gov. Pinchot of Pennsyl-
vania and the Sage of Pittsburgh"
Secretary of the Treasury Andrew w.
Mellon. Editors see in it a clash
affecting the Keystone states delega-
ton to the next republican national
convention.
The Pinchot insistence on "revoca-
tion of permits" is pointing out the
one step to compel enforcement"
the Pittsburgh Press asserts, because
the existing attitude of the federal
government calls for exposure. Until
the government complies with Gov.
Pinchot's demands it must be ready
to be regarded by public opinion as
in league with the lawless traffic"
This is an essentially different
viewpoint. however, to that of the
South Bend Tribune. which feels
Gov Pinchot's continued attempts
to heckle the national administration
on the prohibition enforcement issue
are hard to justify in view of the
success had in Indiana with proceed
ings handled by a states attorney.
1t is evident that the criticisms are
sweetness and light as by a desire
to discredit Secretary Mellon" The
action of the Secretary in calling to
the governors attention the powers
he already enjoyed impresses the In
dianapoIis News because of the fact
that "a federal judge in Pennsyl-
vania said in court that he was not
impressed by the governors address
and that the governor could aid by
talking less and using state law-en-
forcement agencies more
In the opinion of the Memphis
News s-Scimitar there is wholesome
advice in the Mellon reply. which
might be applied quite as appro-
pfiately to one kind Of business as
another. 1t may be appropriate for
some to criticize the federal gov
ernmept for failure to enforce the
law, but it does not come with good
grace from one who has joint re-
sponsibility with the federal gov
ernment and has not utilized the
power at his command" This is in
a measure the view of the Utica
Observer Dispatch, which feels AN
drew Mellon, Secretary of the Treas
ury, refuses to be driven up a tree
by Gov. Pinchot. Instead he lands
on both feet and sends Pinchot
scurrying for cover. The quiet man
from Pittsburgh knows Pennsylvania.
politics from the ground up and
is not unacquainted with Gov.
Pinchet. When they lock horns the
battle Is q royal one."
Agreeing that the governors mo-
tives have been questioned entirely
because Of politics" the Bristol
Herald Courier argues whatever his
motives, he is on the right trail and
he will have done a good work and
rendered the country a distinct serv-
ice if: he should be instrumental in
causing the federal government to
use its full power to uphold and
enforce the federal prohibition law"
TO which, however, the Lafayette
Journal Courier replies by insisting
"the: clash between Mellon and
Pinchot is not SO much over dryness
or law enforcement as 1t Is occasion
ed by a lively concern for delegates.
IT Ia to be hoped the contest will
not lead Messrs. Pinchot and Mellon
to overzeal and harsh invective.
Ths entire problem is bound up in
politlca, as the Mobile Register sees
It, and that paper feels "the gov
ernorsn conference in Indiana, Presi-
dent Coolidge's conference with the
governors at the White House.. Gov.
Pinchos's attack on federal ofiicials." !"