Milford chronicle., 1924-10-03
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
By National Editorial Association
Srnncinl To NHilfnrd Chrnninln

Il rlcn men quarrellnS. Inc average clLlzen lack
ing in vast accumulation of worldly wealth
= finds some consolation in the Biblical prover
: that "riches profit not in the days of wrath
e Such is the reception given generally to the re
y newal of the Couzens- Mellon fued in Washing
;, ton. Being eminently successful in establishing
their mark in Bradstreet's catalogue of Whose
Who and How Much" the Senator from Michi-
gan and the distinguished Secretary of the Treas
ury obviously woefully short on the fine
points Of behaviour during political year. They
have, in brief, gathered much in the marts of
trade but failed to adapt their experiences to
their political environment Hence, the smiles
and chatting as Mr. COuzens proceeds to envesti-
gate the administration of Mr.. Mellon.
For time it appeared that illness and pri-
mary elections would provide an effective block
ade of the publicly announced plans of Senator
COuzens for an inquiry into the Treasury De-
partment. He proposed to devote the time of
his committee to a quizz of officials in the Bur-
eau of Internal Revenue and the prohibition
unit. Mr. Couzens told the Senate that he had
reached the conclusion that all was not well in
these two Federal organizations. The informa-
tion, from unrevealed sources, he declared made
it plain that he owed it to himself and to the
country, to expose, if possible, any corruption
and wrong-doing. Senator Jim Watson of In
diana entered strenuous objections to the propos-
ed inquiry but finally consented. It was charged
at the time that the Michigan Senator was
sympathetic to the "wet" cause and expected to
impress the nation with the futility of prohibi-
ton enforcement. Many other things of a like
nature found their way into type. The profess
sional "drys" denied they opposed the inquiry
IL.
if existant, could be remedied, believing a more
wholesome respect for the law would result. The
victory at the primaries apparently gave the
Michigan Senator new strength for his role of
the crusader. He summoned his committee this
week for hearings and everybody is on their toes
expecting interesting inquisitorial methods, if
nothing more. Times have been dull in Washing
ton since the oil scandal passed out of the spot
light and the impending fracas is a choice NOR
sci.
1t is only natural that cautious political lead
ers should fail to display enthusiasm for this |
late outburst That the unpleasantness should |
have travelled beyond the epistolary stage is de-
plorable to these gentlemen as they would have
considered it more prudent to have waited long
er. But the attitude of Senator Couzens is best
described by Homer of our schOol-room days my
own great mind l then Consulted This repre-
sents the criticism of local political leaders on
the inquiry which the Michigan solon persists in
regarding as a legacy from the last session of
Congress.
The investigation brings out many inquiries as
o the personalities of the two principal char
cters. 1t is conceded that they are both men
Who have for themselves immense wealth.
Secretary Mellon is rated as the second richest
nan in the world and Senator Couzens is report
d to have received seventeen millions from an
riginal investment of five thousand plus his un-
uestioned success as general manager for the
ord Motor Company. A portrait of the Secre-
Try of the Treasury would show him as a mild
man, not easily identified in
rOwd. Nobody contests the fact that he is a
nancial genius and the strongest man in the
abinet. Unfortunately, his wizardy of finance
not sufficiently counter balanced for marked
lccess in the realm of politics. His successful
iministratiOn has far over-shadOwed his politi-
i blunders
Senator Couzens and William NJ Butler, the
)olidge campaign manager, have common II
ult, which, it seems, is their chief weakness.
9TH are "hard-boied" business executives, it is
i'd, unable to adjust their characters to the H
w setting. In many ways this consistency is Il
but it is a total loss from a polit-
al standpoint Unless a man can compromise II
tn his associates and ingratiate himself with
e multitude the days of his leadership are s
mbered The story is told that Senator Couz- |
S came to Washington, by appointment, firmly
solved that he would seek no great favOrs for
constituents and serve in the nation as a II
lole. Truly a most laudable position but one
stined to change under pressure from the vote n
tiers and voters back home. It developed that II
folks at home considered their representative
the Senate an arrogant individual, a man with III
iexibility of mind, not desirOus of their atten-
n. Then, the ravens began to croak when the
N sought the office by the gift of the people III
not the chief executive Of the state Accord u
to well-informed observers, no oracle was n
lsulted but the results from the primary told In
ir own story. Mr.. Couzens obtained the nom q
tion. M
Historically, the tiff between these two indus l1
II leaders had its inception in the candid ref b
nee of Secretary Mellon to the investment of Iy
Couzens millions in non-taXable securities at ly
me when the Senator was criticising the mo- 81
IS of Mr.. Mellon in advocating the so-called Ik
lion tax plan. The Senator considered it bad "
te on the part of Mr. Mellon to draw the spot NJ
It on his personal fortunes and became in III
sed. Whether it is revenge or an honest eff ~
to straighten affairs in the bureaus long un- m
fire. is something which the evidence alone III
reveal On the eve of the elections it is %
niscent of the "brick bat" days when poll lfG
had more of personal tinge. E