Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-19
DENLY toQuit
Navy Post For
SakeCooGdge
ROW
ON BONUS WARNS UP
COOLIDGE IS SILENT

Washington, Feb. 1S.-Andrew W.
Mellon, secretary of the treasury,
and Thomas w. Miller. alien prop
erty custodian, both heading de-
partments of the Republican admin
istration, FLASHED today i'll a battle
over the bonus that was overshadow-
ed only by the fast-flying reports
Of changes in President Coolidge's
cabinet.
At loggerheads with Mr.. Mellon
over the question Of compensation,
Mr.. Miller started the argument last
night, and when a truce was called
tonight, the air had been filled with
statements; President Coolidge had
received from both parties to the
controversy outlines of their cases,
Representatives Rainey, Democrat.
Illinois. had brought it up in the
house and Senator Harrison, Demo-
GRAFT, Mississippi, had formally de-
manded a congressional investiga-
ton.
Colonel Miller was quoted as hay
ing said in New York that he had
been informed by high treasury Of
ticial' that the treasury had jugGled
figures as to the cost of a soldiers
bonus in such way as to try to
defeat it. Today, he added to that
statement a long list of what he
termed to be discrepancies III treas
ury estimates and took Occa sion to
say the former service men We're be-
coming wrought up" over the, sit
uation. which should be settled. Later
hnNrny-nr In It'd h, 1,nl
charges that Secretary Mellon had
juggled figures.
What | did say" Mr. Miller de-
clared in letter to Mr.. Mellon. was
that | had been informed that an Of
fetal of the treasury department had
verified my statements and figures
which We're sent you earlier in the
day" These figures were those con-
tanned in Mr.. Miller's remarks about
variations in treasury estimates.
Before Mr.. Miller's last letter to
him had been received. Secretary
Mellon. who had appeared to be dis
turbed by accounts of the property
custodian's speech in New York, had
sent to him letter demanding to
know the name of the high treas
ury official quoted. and declared
that the charge was false. He also
remarked that I'VE have had within
the past week an example Of man
of public prominence who made
statements in speech without veri-
tication of their accuracy" and that
such cases should be promptly dealt
with. In reply to this. Air. Miller
merely said he noted your refer
ences to statement made by n man
OF public prominence within the past
week. and it just happened that
Tff fam Il
that same "cntlemen'S remarks"
"ReplyinG specifically to your let
ter" Mr.. Miller said, please be adj
vised that the quotation of my re-
marks of yesterday contains mac
curacies, and even to the extent of
quoting, as a part of my remarks. the
remarks of other speakers who We're
present. l did not state that high
official of your department had told
me anything"
He added that he referred to con-
versation with prominent United
States senator. whose mime will be
revealed to you with his permission.
or not, IL he objects to my so doing"
In his earlier statement which he
did not retract. Mr.. Miller went over
various treasury estimates on the
cost of a bonus. He mentioned that
President Harding had vetoed a COM
pensation measure because he believ-
ed the country was facing deficit of
$780, coo.
Yet" he added. 'in the same ifs
cal year the government paid $Gl3,-
100000 of the government debt and
still the treasury ended the fiscal
year 1929 with balance to its
credit of S370.OGG. 600. showing n dis
crepancy in these figures of $1,000
100000 within the space of few
months
Mr.. MELONS letter 10 Mr. Miller
supplemented statement he had
made last night in which he said he
was amazed" at the remarks attrib-
utcd to his Administrator co-worker.
He declined TO say whether he had
made any suggestions to President
Coolidge in laying the subject before
him, but declared he thought the
chief executive should be appraised
Of the whole statement. but 1t was
indicated no action was probable
from the white house for the time
being, at least.