Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-11
MELLON SAYS HAYS
SENT HIM S5O,o)D
Of SINCLAIR BONDS
Secretary Declares He Re.
fused to Accept Them
for Contribution.
GAVE EQUIVALENT SUM
OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET
Letter to Teapot Dome Committee
Follows Testimony About
ANDY"

BIZ the A.s0c.a.ed Pre-s.
Secretary Mellon informed the SEN
ate Teapot Dome committe last night
that he received $4,000 Of the $3.50 900
OF Liberty bonds which Harry r. Sim
clair. Teapot Dome leasee, advanced to
cover part Of the deficit Of the Republi-
can national committee in 1923, but
that ne had refused TO retain the bonds
in exchange for ike contribution.
The Treasury Secretary disclosed that
the bonds had been sent TO him by VIII
H. Hays. former chairman Of the Re-
publican committee, and that when
Hays subsequently called upon him 70
explain the purpose. he had declined
to keep them as suggested. He added
that he had returned the bonds to Hays
and shortly thereafter made contri-
button in the same amount from his
own funds.
Total Gift $4,000.
Mellon wrote that this vas the sum
that he had intended 10 give when he
was first asked to contribute 10 the
fund being raised 10 clean uo the Re-
publican deficit. He also informed the
Senate committee that this was the
only contribution he had made % the
national campaign fund Of 1920, cy-
elusive Of $4,000 given during the cara
paign.
The Secretary's letter. addressed 10
Senator Walsh of Montana. prosecute.
of the Senate inquiry into what De-
came Of the Continental Trading Go.
r H. skzn -ala
brated Humphreys oil deal. was written
after. the Senator. upon adjournment Of
the committee. had forwarded 10 him
the record of hearings held by the
committee earlier In the day IN which
appeared the name Andy along With
that of Weeks" Butler" and "du
Pont'
These names were written on
memorandum of the late John T. Pratt
of New York City. heavy contributor
In his time to Republican campaign
funds. showing that he had handled
S25.0oc OF the Liberty bonds and had
sent a check for twice that amount 10
the late Fred w. Upiianl. then treasurer
of the Republican committee.
II know nothing whatsoever concern
ing these transactions" Mellon wrote,
NOR do I have any knowledge as 70
the contributions TO the Republican
national committee by Mr.. Pratt
Il desire TO take this occasion. how
ever, 10 state 10 you all facts relating
10 my contributions 20 the Republican
national committee
HAYS Sends Bonds.
Some time IN 1923 I was asked 10
contribute TO the fund then being raised
to clean up the deficit of the Repu6-
iican national committee. said would
help, but no amount was specified.
Subsequently Mr. Hays telephoned me
one day that he was sending me by
messenger package containing valu-
able documents and that he would see
me shortly and explain what was tn
volved The package contained as nearly
rs ] can remember $50, in Liberty
bonds
There had been no previous under
standing of any kind as 20 sending me
bonds, and until saw Mr. Hayes later
l had no knowledge as 70 the purpose
in sending them 10 me, Nor did have
any knowledge as 10 contributions n
the form Of bonds
When Mr.. Hays called shortly there
after, he told me he mad received these
bonds from Mr. Sinclair and s;aSSes.ed
that / hold the bonds ana contribute
an equal amount TO the fund. 'rhiS
declined 10 do. Accnrdi0SI.' ! at once
returned the bonds 20 Atr EayS>
"As the same time. or shortly there
after. naSe q contribution of sS0.C0s
OF my own funds, which was the
amount had intended 70 contribute;
and which. incidentally. is the only
contribution made by NE 10 the rs-
s!onal campaign fund Of 1920. exclusive
Of $4,000 contributed during :he cam
patgn,"
When Hays WAS Seca,led oesoSe the
committee recently. he testified .ha,
100000 of the bends wen; 10 'UphAs,,
$4,000 20 Senator r ColmSa Gu rcrs
Of Delaware. and $4,000 ~ the late
John ", Weeks, War Secretary In the
Harding cabinet, bur he made no NELL
ton of hSx'siS sent any 70 e'sSer Mellon
or 10 Butler"
Members Of the committee ccasd cnN
speculate as tc the sdsntity cg Butler"
mentioned III the Pratt memorandum.
but they assumed that the Fegereacc
was to William NJ, Butler, chairman O.
the Republican national committee.
Whether he Is 20 ce called Was still
undetermined last night hy members %
the ccInnultse,
HAYS Testimony Recalled.
HAYS testimony a week ago MAS that
Sinclair gave $sSepo 81 the EepaiS-
hcan committee outright and advanced
another SiSA 900 IN l3e<rtS e,lldS Ia
SECURE part VI the committee 6essc's.
He said that the SfAe0o MAS sent ~
du pnNt 10 vetlre note III the nnrlfo
Trust CO " New Nok C1ty.
Detailing then What eeraMe " tec
$tsS. 900 advanced" Hays said $So,CAu
went tc upham: $sS,c<Nc ~ Weeks and
$4,000 to Pratt and that ne TetuEnsN
the remaining $>e,eCQ - Sinclair, FSV~
Sun,aeS this MAS tse See,tNNa wssieA be
sent ~ Meslcn ana whSeh the Treasury
SerVetary said ne returned
Senator Walsh said that HAYS wcNsd
ne recalled to explain his failure ~
tell the Committee that ne had Sent
$50. 900 III the e<asSsS ~ Meascn The
alSN announced that ne had
sent q teiegram % William NJ, Butler
inviting HIM tc alNNeAr eefc1N tte ccxA~
u,ittee at the neNt meeting Tuesday,
There had eSen M prevke0S suSYe$~
tian up until the Melt<l. statement hast
night that either Secretary Melsea "
fprmer Senator hutleg had ANYTHING ~
sin with amy vi the Continental e>NnSS-
Ntellan, 1T the time cs the tranSAettNn
was Secretary III the Treasury, but
Autler had not then eeSn made chair
man NJ the Republican c>lnsait,ee,
The Pratt msns,1anSluM waS reAa
into the rvvogd after Senator Walsh
had deyelossea mum athes lsAperS trcEM
fFattS fileS that the $seNeN gNASaeNs
had esen made IL usl,alM eut et 4 Ssse-
piA fund the nnAncley had set w N
the United states Mortgage h Trust
IN and SA,,eea IT which eanss fyem