The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-13
Secretary Is Witness for
Two Hours, BareS All
of Transaction.
OWN CHECK IS $4,000
Present Republican Chief
Reveals Offer Made in
New York Hotel.

Do'ho IioO IOdllSQ dIlJ IIlOIISy W JIlG
committee, he said.
II had no knowledge of the Tea
pot Dome lease at the time" Mellon
volunteered. THE Sinclair contribu-
ton just seemed to me to be the
subscription of a wealthy man."
Mellon could not tell how long he
held the bonds. He indicated it
was not more than week, but said
he could not be certain.
Walsh revealed his correspondence
with Mellon since the hearing
opened. In January. Walsh wrote
Mellon asking help from the United
States Secret Service in tracing the
Continental Trading Company
bonds.
Mellon, in reply. promised the
services of the Treasury agents if
the committee paid expenses.
On Feb. 5, Walsh asked Mellon If
incomes taxes could be eXacted from
those who held the missing bonds.
Paid No Income Tax
On Feb. 10, Mellon replied that
the Continental Trading Company
had pad no income tax; that treas
ury agents had been investigating
the matter and had followed closely
all hearings in the matter before
the Senate committee and courts.
On March Z, Mellon wrote Walsh
protesting against a newspaper story
that the treasury had failed to help
the committee in the investigation
Have these men failed to cooper
ate Loyalty with you?' Mellon asked
Walsh in the letter.
On March 8, Walsh wrote Mellon
assuring him that the secret service
had cooperated.
Then two days later, Walsh sent
Mellon the memorandum found III
the files of the late John T. Pratt,
indicating Andy" Dupont. Weeks
and Butler had something to do
with the Sinclair Liberty bond
transaction.
Resuming the examination, Walsi,
asked Mellon to whom he had signi-
fled his intention of making a cam
paign contribution before Hays APP
preached him.
ITO Mr.. Weeks, then secretary Of
war (now deadD." Mellon replied. ct
was just a casual conversation. I
was prepared to give more than
$4,000 if necessary"
What reason did Hays have for
believing that he would have to put
bonds to get a contribution from
you?" Walsh asked.
Said Bonds Were Wanted
well, he was mistaken about the
matter" Mellon replied. Il think
I asked him why he didn't sell the
bonds and get the money that
way"
That's what we all thought,
Walsh said. What explanation did
Hays make about that?"
He said something about the
bonds being loaned to him, but it
was all the same thing to me-"
Melon answered.
why didn't you disclose sooner
this knowledge?" Senator Nye
asked.
"At the time I talked to Hays
had no knowledge that Sinclair had
Government bonds" Mellon an
swered. Many men have Govern
ment bonds. 1t had no significance.
If you mean why didn't I disclose
the matter since then I ask would
that have helped you any?' the only
thing you didn't have was my name.
I didn't try especially to keep 1t Sc
cret. But it was only incidental"
Senator Dill Dem), Washington,
questioned whether Mellon had ever
asked Hays if the bonds were "out
of the Teapot Dome scandal"
Il haven't seen Hays since this
recent matter came up" Mellon re-
piled.
Senator Bratton Dem.), New
Mexico, recalled that Hays had
failed to tell the committee about
giving bonds to Mellon.
well, I think that is a matter
between the committee and Hays"
Mellon said.
Walsh asked If Mellon became
lncensed when Hays put the bond
proposition to him.
II don't become incensed," said
Mellon.
Dill asked Mellon If Hays had
said he obtained the Sinclair con-
tribution "in appreciation for what
the party had done for Sinclair"
mo, I don't think So" Mellon
said. ut isn't likely thing for him
to have said"