The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-21
YOUNG WIZARD
 GUIDES TAX BILL
A. w. Gregg, Mellon Pr0tege, Is Only 29 Years
 Of Age
By THOMAS l.. STOKES ueased Wire to The Age-Hcrald)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2O.-The guiding genius of the Mellon tax plan, working quietly behind the scenes, is 29-year-old boy, who was raised from an obscure nook in the treasury to a high place in it's councils by Secretary Mellon, who has the knack of picking "kid financial wonders.
 Alexander W. Gregg was one of the three officials in the treasury depart men who had the principal part il working out the detailed plan, outlined in 354 pages. The other two were Mel lon himself and Under Secretary Wins ton. Other experts contributed to build ing the bill, but these three were re- spOnsible mainly for the final plan. During the six months it took to frame the comprehensive tax progam, Gregg was constantly on the job.
 But his work did not end there. As the adviser to the House ways and means committee, now preparing to frame the final form of the tax bill to go before Congress, he is exerting large influence in writing the measure. Since the bill began it's tedious jour- ney through the committee, Gregg has sat with the members, answered ques- tions as to reasons for MellOn's sug- gestions, mad generally nursed his chiefs cherished program. He will con tinue to advise the committee as it frames the important rate schedules, now under heavy fire from various groups in Congress.
 Veterans Look To Him
 Gray haired veterans of the House some of whom began to frame legisla- tiOn while Gregg was still running about in knee breeches-depend upon the treasury's young wizard for advice on technical points which they con- fess frequently are deep mysteries to them. Recently, Representative Rainey, democrat, of Illinois, veteran of 20 years service. asked Gregg to frame a provision which would tax stock divi- dends according to his desires. The young man complied with Rainey's re- quest, but in presenting the provision back to the committee, submitted q lengthy explanation of why he con- sidered such a proposal unwise. The committee followed his advice.
 Though possessed of briallant financial mind the young official has all the outward appearance of col lege boy. He has fresh, handsome face, is easy-mannered and always faultlessly dressed. The son of a for mer Congressman from Texas, now dead, from Palestine. Texas, he has spent much of his life here, except for a period in the army during the war.
 Since boyhood he has had fond ness for finance, specializing in politi- cal economy in college. Trained as a lawyer, he entered the treasury soon after completing his law course here, going into then office of the solicitor of internal revenue.
 Drafts Tax Policy
 In 1919, at the age of 24, he was picked from his position there and made chairman of the special commit tee on appeals and review, which was appointed to clean up thousands of in come tax cases which had piled up dur ing the war. Here he swung into the work he loved with his whole soul, and when Secretary Mellon decided to put forward his broad program of tax re- vision, Gregg was selected with two others to serve on the special committee on tax revision. w. s. Moorehead, board, and J. $. Bright, deputy com missioner of internal revenue, were the others.
 IHc COLhLiAttee DeSuH ltS WUFh IdSl June. However the burden of this section of the duty fell upon Gregg, as his two associates were away from the capital much of the time in con- nection with their other positions. Mel lon and Winston directed the broad course of the program, while Gregg gave his attention to the details.
 Drafting a new tax policy for the country was steupendous task. The bill was built entirely in the treasury, without outside aid or advice, Gregg said, as records in the department for years back show the effect of every form of tax and how much revenue it could be expected to yield.