The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-21
BREWER CHARGE MAY DEVELOP BUREAU SCANDAL
Committee Likely To Call Mellon In Probe, Says
 StegalI
lWashinatan-Rnreaul

WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 20- Instead of being the outburst of a nsationalist, the charges of Charles B. Brewer st0 the effect that fraud has been practieed in the issuance of government bonds may reveal crooked ness or gross .carelessness in the de partment of the treasury, in the opin- ion of certain members of special committee investigating the charges. Brewer is a native Alabamian. hav- ing been born and reared in Annis- ton. One of the members of the in- vestigating committee is Henry B. Stegall, who represents the Third Ala bama district. #
 No Sensationalist
 T would not, of course" said Mir. StegaH today, "prejudge the case. But Brewer is no mere sensa ationalist. His charges are certainly worthy of re- eeiving the most careful attention. In this opinion. practically all members of the committee are agreed. The Ala bamian who has defied the secretary of the treasury, Mir. Mellon, is exceed ingly intelligent, and knows his case from beginning to end.
 "The committee will go into the mat ter from every angle. The investiga tion will acquire a scope far beyond that possible as result of the Brewer charges alone. If there has been crook edness or gross carelessness, it should be brought to light"
 MT. Stegall declares that the commit tee will not be brOwbeaten by the secretary of the treasury or any other functionary, but that it will insist that all pertinent documents be delivered when requested. Some days ago, MT. Stegall declared publicly that if the treasury persisted in it's attempts to withhold information, he would make a test. As soon as congress reconvenes of the relative power of congress and the various bureaus.
 Department Yielded
 of the people have lost their gov ernment," said he today" the sooner they ascertain that fact the better. In the last clash between the committee and the department, the department yielded. It is possible, however, that at a subsequent period, the department will again challenge the right of a committee to demand the books of the treasury. If it be necessary l will take the case to the house, and en- deavor or have Secretary Mellon sum- moned for contempt. There is no ques- tion as to the power of the house to initiate contempt proceedings or to call for information that can be de- livered without seriously embarrassing the government. We, have been up against the treasury inhibitions prac- >tically since we organized am willing to make a test case ,of events prove the need of such."
 Brewers charges have received na- tionwide attention His information resulted in the dismissal by the late President Harding of large number of employees in the bureau of printing and engraving. These employees were later indicated by Secretary Mellon Senator Caraway of Arkansas in a series of sensational speeches. charged that Harding was actutated by desire to oust democrats and give their jobs to deserving" republicans.
 There would be a double sensation if Brewer should succeed in proving his charges based on facts. Mir. Stegall evidently thinks there is chance that Brewer will win his case.