Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-07
MELLON RETURNS,
SILENT ON BOOM
Secretary, Back at Desk, De.
cIines Any Comment on
Political Situation.

Returning to his desk today after
q Summer cruise in the Mediterranean.
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon fiat
" declined to discuss the political
situation and the boom which has been
launched at Pittsburgh, his home city,
and from certain other quarters to
make him a candidate for President.
Although willing to talk at length
about the interesting voyage which
took him to entertaining and out-of-
the-way places of the Mediterranean
and to express the opinion that pro-
hibition enforcement was preceding in
a regular and sound way" Mr.. Mel
Ion artfully succeeded in avoiding a
direct answer to a virtual lombard
ment of political questions from all
corners of his office during a special
conference with newspaper men.
Announcement of the Presidents in
tention to choose" not to run for the
presidency did not reach him, Mr..
Mellon said, until about two days after
1t had been made, as the private yacht
on which he and party were cruising
was out of touch with the world.
Refuses to Comment.
Mr.. Melons name has been seri-
ously mentioned at Pittsburgh, and
by several interests in connection
with the Republican candidacy for
President, and, efforts were made for
several minutes during the confer
ence this morning by various news
paper men to get the Secretary to
express himself on the question.
At first Mr.. Mellon parted the ques-
tions with a series Of non-committa1
answers. and as the questioning con-
tinued. and he was pressed for some
comment, he finally stated that the
only thing he would consent to be
quoted as saying was that he declined
in any manner to comment on the
political situation.
Mr.. Mellon admitted having talked
on the ship coming over with former
Secretary of State Hughes, whose
boom has assumed proportions. They
had discussed the presidential cam
paign, Mr.. Mellon said, but when
pressed for comment as to what may
have been the nature of their dis
cussion, and conclusions, if any, Mr..
Mellon declined to respond. He had
read Mr.. Hughes statement on land
Ing. and cared to make no reference
10 their talk on board ship.
No Word of Plan.
aIr. Mellon said he had received no
word as yet concerning the recently
announced intention of the French
government to refund a large CONNER
cial loan through j. P. Morgan Co.
at a lower rate Of interest. So far as
he knew from preliminary inquiry,
Mr.. Mellon said. no official notification
of the French governments intention
had as yet reached the Treasury.
Charges by Representative Boylan of
New York, that Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury Lowman had used his
Federal prestige for political purposes
In attacking Gov. Smith of New York
have reached Secretary Mellon, he
admitted, adding. however. that he had
not had time to look into the matter
When he went over the prohibition sit
uation with Mr.. Lowman, the Score.
tary said he would take up the ques.
ton.
The Mediterranean vacation, which
vas one of the longest enjoyed by the
Secretary since he took office with
President Harding, evidently proved Of
great value. not only to the health