Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-29

assert that the farmer was himself
carrying on mining or manufacturing
operations, even indirectly.
Mr.. Mellon, it appears, is not carry
ing on any business. except the business
Of the Government. When he became
Secretary of the Treasury more than
eight years ago, Mr. Mellon had resigned
every Office which he held in any cor
poration engaged in the business of
trade or commerce. He resigned all his
directorates in such corporations. He
is not now an officer or a director in
any such corporation. He not only
resigned from every Office he held in
national banks, trust companies and
other banking institutions, but he sold
all the stock he owned in these banking
institutions.
But Mr.. Mellon, the committee has
been informed, continues to own sub
stantial amounts of stock in the Gulf
Oil Corporation, the Aluminium Com
pany Of America, and the Standard
Steel Car Company. Also other mem
bers of his family own substantial
amounts OF stock in these corporations
Mr.. Mellon does not own a controlling
interest in any one of the corporations
but it is pointed out that, in combina-
ton with other members of his family
he does hold such a control. However.
there has been nothing found to indi-
cate that Mr.. Mellon is engaged in
carrying on any of these businesses,
directly or indirectly.
The ownership of stock in corpora
tons in this country has become q gen.
eral thing with men of property. Some
men who have made successes in COM
mercial and financial life of the coun-
try hold large blocks of such stocks. It
does not appear that there is or should
be a desire to limit the list Of eligibles
to the Office of Secretary of the Treas
ury to men who do not own stock in
corporations, though it is quite con-
ceivable that men who are engaged in
carrying on the business of these cor
porations should not be eligible, pro-
vided they do not relinquish these ac-
tivities. Mr. Mellon did relinquish all
Of his active connections with the busi-
ness Of trade and commerce He has
lived up to the law. His eligibility has
been approved by the Attorney General
of the United States in an opinion
rendered the President. Mr.. Mellon
has served during two administrations
as head of the Treasury Department,
and is serving In third.
The question Of Mr.. Melons eligibil
ity was brought up in the Senate years
ago. 1t was shelved after the facts had
been developed. Now, because Mr.. Mel
Ion has political enemies-enemies who
do not approve of his course in the
conduct of the Treasury Department
the question has been raised again. I'm
der the old law invoked, If Mr.. Mellon
were tried and found guilty he would
be dismissed from Office and fined
$1,000. 1t is realized that the agitation
against Mr.. Mellon is largely political.
The Senate cannot try Mr.. Mellon I'M
less impeachment proceedings are
brought against him in the House. II
the Senate should hold him ineligible
under the statute, and it is not likely it
will, it would still be necessary for the
United States attorney of the District
Of Columbia to bring suit against him.
With the opinion of the highest legal
officer Of the land supporting Mr.. Mel
Ion, it is not likely such a suit would be
instituted.
One thing apears certain, Mr.. Mel
lon will be retained, even If the old law
has to be amended or repealed.