Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-27
MELLON CLASSED
W|THLEACUEF0ES
Helped to Finance Fight on
Versailles Treaty, Col.
Harvey Says.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

III fREDERAC WILLIAM VILE.
Washington political tongues are
wagging over Col. George Harvey's
biography Of Henry Clay Prick, steel
magnate. purporting to reveal the
plan by which the fight against the
League Of Nations was financed In 1919.
According to the itor-diplomat. 1.-TWO
multi millionaires," Andrew w. Mellon.
now Secretary OF the Treasury, and
Prick were the angels" OF the CAM
paign. Mainly through their aid. Col.
Harvey alleges, the desired reservoir
was found. and 1t was both deep and
full" Certain Democratic leaders. to
whose attention Harvey's disclosures
we're brought, declared today that they
might we'll lead to another senatorial
investigation"
The Prick biography, which has Just
left the press. narrates n night meeting
in May. 1919. at the home OF the late
Senator Frank B. Brandegee Of Con-
necticut. It was attended by what
Harvey calls the "cabai" interested In
keeping the United States out OF the
League and rejecting the treaty or
Versailles. then before the Senate for
ratification.
Campaign Plan Endangered.
THE group opposed to joining the
League" the story runs. assembled AT
their accustomed meeting place in SEN
ator Brandgee's residence in Washing
ton, we're appraised that their whole
plan of campaign was seriously en-
dangercd. Their strategy had consisted
of disseminating propaganda chieny
through the Middle West at mass meet
ings and distribution OF quantities OF
campaign literature for the purpose oil
starting back fires upon wavering
Senators.
THE campaign had progressed favor
ably, but the time had come when es-
sential travelling and mailing cxpendi-
lures required considerable sums, and
the modest funds which the committee
had been able TO supply were completely
exhausted The problem OF ways and
means TO oppose skilliul antagonists
suffering from no such handicap was
poignant. The finding OF deeper
reservoir upon which tn draw Tor
financial aid had become a paramount
necessity"
Harvey narrates that 1.-The outlook
was lamentably gloomy. when late III
the evening the reSourccful Senator
tphilander c. Knox suggested rs
last resort an appeal to Mr.. Frick ana
to Mr.. Mellon who. he said. were ac-
customcd to act together In such mat
ters and both of whom. he thought
with no reason for his surmise~~mlght
he impressed with the merits OF the
cause. II IL could be placed before
them effectively. He felt confident. In
any case that II either could be won
over the other would join"
f'rick Agreed To Go Along"
The Brandngee house meeting there
upon requested the New YORK repre-
sentative present" whom Harvey later
describes as 1.-The delegated conspirator.
to approach Mr. Frick In New YORK
next day lie did so. and Mr.. Frick
consented 10 go along" Prick was told
that his initial contribution was only
for starter" and that It must be sent
tomorrow 10 Senator Pepper,
Harvey's story continues. Three days
later the New York member OF the
cabal received the following note from
the Senate chamber:
Thanks for you note. ! had already
received letter from Mr. Frick all
nouncing what he had done. and !
wrote to Pittsburgh aud obtained the
same amount from MIR. Mellon, ! told
Medili (Senator Mccormick OF Illinois,
today and he says he can now 20 10
Chicago and raise about 20 thousandD.
very sincerely yours.
p, &. KNOX
THE desired reservoir had been
found. and II was both deep and fun.
All anxiety respecting atnewS Of war
was diSpeiled, Rejoicing pervaded the
camp Of the irreconcilablea, efforts were
redoubled all along the line, and the
redoubtable little band pushed ON to
the victory which. whether dehlrable ar
not, presently was won In the Senate.
and ultimately WAS ratifled by the
people"