Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-15

The need of clarifying the law
governing the qualifications OF a
Secretary Of the Treasury is the chief
conclusion drawn from the contest in
the Senate over the eligibility OF
Secretary Andrew w. Mellon. who has
held office under three Presidents. The
Senate committees action in voting
down objections to Mr.. Mellon because
of his holding of stock in corporations Is
approved by majority OF the press RS
a common-Sense proceeding.
cit is doubtful" the Scranton Times
Democratic) believes, IF there has been
a Secretary of the Treasury, in the
last 25 wears at least who did not have
some stockholdingS in corporations en-
gagged in trade or commerce 1t might
be we'll" the Pennsylvania daily adds,
for the Senate. now that the question
has been raised, to give attention 10
the amending and undermining OF the
statute under which the attack was
made on Mr.. Mellon
Evidently the trainers of the
statute" according to the Buffalo
Courier Express independent Republic
am. intended to exclude only those
who were directly or indirectly con-
cerned or interested in carrying on
the business, or who participated IN
managing or running the business, or
ence to management. II
Congress is really DESTROYS of removing
this point from the realm of political
hectoring, it can easily do so by
clarifying the language of the statute"
THE experience of 140 years" the
Philadelphia Record independent Dem
ocratic) says. shows that the law Is
illogical, obstructive and impractical.
The dangers it seeks to avert are not
to be legiSlated out of existence. The
sole effective protection against them
lies in the sense of honor and pro-
priety' which public sentiment exactS in
the conduct of Presidents and the
cabinet officers they select
X X x
Remarking that the committee "dis-
covered several presidents" the Fargo
Forum Republican, states that these
prece0ents. the opinion of the Attorney
General and common sense have con-
vinced everybody, except the Mellon
haters in the Senate, that Mr.. Mellon
is rightfully and logically holding his
office" The Ell Paso Herald (independ-
enD declares: 1T is one of the most
important departments. 1t calls for an
efficient man. an expert in finances, as
its head. Mellon is such man. He
has been one of the best Treasury
Secretaries the United States has ever
had"
"A successful Secretary of the Treas
ury." the San Bernardino Sun IRE
publican) contends, can only be a man
who has played an active part in the
handling of finances, otherwise he
would not have the experience neces-
sary for the post. The country
generally believes that Mr.. Mellon has
been very excellent Secretary Of the
Treasury. He has served under three
Presidents. He is credited with the
responsibility for much of the stability
of the credit structure of the country"
The Charleston Evening Post Gnde-
pendent Democratic) agrees that ION the
whole, Mr.. Mellon has done we'll"
President Hoover wants trained men
in the Government service" remarks
the Waterloo Tribune independent
Progressive). THE farmers want dirt
farmers on the various Government
boards which come in contact with
farmers AID the agricultural business
a man Md TO finance and business.