The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-09
Court Action Started To ! Compel Brewer To
 Turn Over All
 Evidence
MELLON INSPIRES .s COUNTER ACTION
Explains His, Department Under Handicap Unless The Prober
 Releases Documents 7
ATTORNEY RELUCTANT
 , TO SURRENDER BONDS
Declares He Is Afraid That They
 Would Be Destroyed Should They Be Given Up

~ WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-(By By Associated Press. )-Treasury officials went into court today to compel Charles B. Brewer, department of justice attorney, to make accessible to them the securities he holds and on which he has charged have been dupli- cated. f
 Action took the form of motion in Brewers case now pending in the Dis trict of Columbia supreme court, in which he has asked that the treasury [ he restrained from interfering, with his possession of the securities held by him for the purposes of his investiga- 4tione of alleged irregularities ill the en- eraving bureau. .e-.7i. Brewers move in court followed a request by the treasury that he return the securities to the treasury agents who were examining 8 report made by him < upon bureau affairs. Treasury agents declared they could proceed no further with their check-up on Brew CTS charges of duplication without ex- animation of the securities he held.
 Cites Difficulties
 :. United States District Attorney Gordon in filing the motion in the district court, restated the treasury's difficulties in obtaining the securities, and requested the court to direct Brew CT to deposit them with the court.
 Affidayits by Undersecretary of the Treasury Winston and Assistant At torney General Holland accompanying the motion, declared that until access was had to the securities, the inyes- tigation of conditions by the, treasury would be. held up.
 While Mir. Gordon was pressing his motion upon which a decision is ex- pected soon, word came from the White House that President Coolidge failed to understand what purpose Brewer had in refusal to permit examination of the securities by the treasury. The President and the treasufyf both, ae- cording to White House officials, are desirous of eleaping np the charges and aseertaining, if possibles ,reasons for sc3rd ,x dfserepanciessirf in the numher- ing of bol,da. Mir Coolidge was said to be 1t loss to know why Brewer, ! through his court action. was obstruct- ing other branches of the government in ascertaining the truth or falsity of accusations about irregularities in the engraving bureau.
 Suggests Proof < 7
 Secretary Mellon, earlier in the day, declared claims by Brewer that the style and font of type used in number ing some of the bonds was proof of the irregularities could not be substan- tiated, in his belief The treasury chief said the press of work during fhe war had compelled the engraving bureau to buy new numbering machines in the open market and these differed from the regular bureau type numbers. '
 In the purchase of extra equipment, officials were unable through lack of time, to obtain the machines similar to those in use and which had not been altered in 30 years, Mir. Mellon asserted, and he Nherefore believed the indicated forgeries could be traced to that cause. But .antiL-t the treasury can examine the bonds now in Brewers possession, the secretary said, tine facts could not be ascerraifed.
 Fears For Evidence
 The affidayits filed today carried also n letter from Mir. Mellon to the Attorney General requesting return of the securities. It was dated February l. Brewers appeal to the court for the restraining order was made three days later. He charged in the petition for the restraining order that the. treasury wanted 10 ODtdH; lht eNiuence ne had and destroy it, as is the proceed ure with other redeemed securities.
 High treasury officials reiterated to- day that they have found nothing of serious or alarming character in their check up on the Brewer charges which have been under Investigation since early in January. They, never theless, propose to examine all of the accusations in order that the treasury as well as the country may know whether any wrong has been done.