Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-22

Comment on The investigation Of
= aluminium interests by committee
of the United states Senate indicate
that the matter is accepted by both
maio parties as national political
issue. Opinions are divided largely
according to party lines. From
Democratic and some inde pendent
sources there ia vigorous criticism Of
Secretary Melons connection with
aluminium. together with general al
tack upon the acts of Attorney Cen
eraI Sargent On the Republican side
it is cha rged that the attack Is part
of partisan campaign. The inquiry
is ba sed upor a report by the Federal
! Trade Commission in 1924 that a mo-
nopoly existed in the aluminium In
dustrv. subsequent failure to turn
over the evidence 10 the DEPARTING mt
OF Justice. and a more recent state
ment from the Attorney Generals Of
flee generating the aluminium inter
ests.
Judgment on Secretary Mellon
should he suspended advises the
BROOKLYN Daily Eagle independent
Democratir). with the suggestion that
he should not he spared because of
his connection with the Government
neither should he be the victim OF
unjust attacks because of his interest
in 2 concern accused hut not vet con-
victed. Of illegal acts" The Milwau-
kee Journal independently. however
contends that the corporation is cod
died by Government favor and that
the Investigation. which will deter
mine whether it is also being pro
tected by the administration from le-
cal attack on the charge OF violating
the antitrust law" should be pushed
definite copCluSion.
The Sprinsheld Republican dnde-
pendenu declares that the circum-
stances of the case make it inevitably
embarra ssing to the administration.
and naturally the opposition party
will turn it to such political uses as
NAV be possible The Sandusky
Register Republican, describes con-
rressional investigation as combining
profound emotional scenes. villains,
heroes, character portrayal and rare
comedy" and of the present says:
When 1t has Senator Walsh OF Mon
tana as stage director, its success as
theatrical production is preordained.
His name Is as electric as Ziegfeld.
Gest or De Mile in their respective
fields. And when it Is whispered that
the tragic role may be essayed by the
greatest Secretary OF the Treasury
since Hamilton the public is assured
a hit
OF the statement issued by the De-
partment of Justice favorable to the
aluminium company. the Omaha
World Herald remarks: Now it is
brought out that the statement was
issued following conference between
President Coolidge, Secretary Mellon
and Attorney General Sargent. Per
hans they talked at that conference
of nothing but the weather. But
somehow one catches a vision OF the
President in the role of Stonewall
Jackson at Fredericktown:
who touches a hair on yon gray
head
Dies like a dog March on he said. y
Attorney General SarGents state.
ments before the Senate committee In
vestirating the case move the Day
ton Daily News Independent Demo-
cratic) to observe: When the Presi-
dent named Mr.. Sargent. following
Mr.. Warren's rejection. he explained
he wanted an Attorney General who
could not possibly have any trust
connections. Apparently he got one
who does not know trust when he
meets it at his own door" The Lynch
burg Advance Oemocratic) thinks the
Attorney General presented Z. pitia-
bile figure on the witness stand" and
the Knoxville Sentinel Gndependen mt