Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03
SENATE FOES FLAY
MELLON ON FLOOR
Appointment by Hoover to
Cabinet Expected to
Bring Battle.
By the Associated Press.

~ VAC PSSoNAnNCA 1900
A prelude to the approaching Hoover
administration was heard In the Senate
yesterday in opposition voiced against
Andrew Mellon, who has served eight
years as Secretary of the Treasury and
is about to be renamed by the Presi-
dent-elect.
Old foes Of the Treasury head led the
attack and for the most part their
criticism and charges went unanswered.
The Senate for almost a year has
passed over without consideration
resolution calling for the resignation OF
Mr.. Mellon.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat, Ten
nessee, gave notice he would not vote
for confirmation of Mellon II he were
renominated by Mr.. Hoover. He de-
clared Mellon an "unfaithful public
servant" who should have been dis
charged for ineficiency years ago. He
was complaining Of the amount of tax
refunds allowed by the Treasury.
COuzenS TICKS Up AttdCk.
Senator Couzens, Republican, sup
porter Of Mr.. Hoover, took up the at
tack along with Senator Wheeler, DEM
ocrat, Montana. Couzens and Mellon
have been at odds for more than six
years and engaged in a wordy dispute
by mail over administration of the
Treasury FIVE years ago.
The Michigan Senator described Mel
Ion as either dishonest or gullible" for
resisting reforms in the administration
of taxation and particularly in regard
to tax refunds.
Senator Wheeler recalled the bitumi-
nous coal strike of last year and said
Pittsburgh Coal Co. policeman had
caused the death Of John Bereskl,
Tyre, Pa, farmer miner. Wheeler added
Mellon was interested in this company.
"Hideous Crimes" Laid at His Door.
THE country" Wheeler declared.
Ought to know the kind OF man 1t Is
going to have as Secretary OF the Treas
ury for the next four years. Hldeous
crimes are continually being committed
Wy bLlCoC 4IOll wal POANS' NNAe~NAJ
whom are working for Mellon in the
Pittsburgh region"
While the discussion indicated con-
test would be waged against Melons
confirmation, there were intimations
that Mr.. Hoover might not give the
Senate that opportunity. There are
some who hold that the new President
will not be called upon to forward tc
the Senate the nominations OF those
cabinet officers who are continuing In
office.
The discussion began with an attack
by Senator Mcclellan on the comprom-
Use made In the deficiency bill by
House and Senate conferees on his
amendment to provide for public hear
ings on tax refund cases involving more
than $4,000.
Amendment Modified.
The bill carried $75,000,000 for tax
refunds and McKellar's amendment was
modified to allow for hearings by COM
mittees In the Internal Revenue Bureau
on refunds involving more than $4,000
and providing that the decision De
made public record.
The Senate approved the deficiency
bill carrying this modified amendment
late in the day by a vote OF 66 10 10;
0SSAuAAAlS tll1iA ~S'oSN'NNS'SN~
in tax refunds had been allowed during
the eight years of Melons adminlstra-
ton, Senator Mcclellan charged that
this amounted to mistakes OF that
amount by the Treasury.
Senator Reed. Republican, Pennsyl-
vania, asked has it occurred to the
Senator most of these refunds were on
taxes illegally collected in 1918 and 1919
during the war and before Mr.. Mellon
came into ofiice?"
Mcclellan said that probably was true,
but he insisted that Mellon had not
supervised the refunds closely enough.
Recalling again that Mellon had once
owned stock in the Overholt Whisky
Distillery,. Mcclellan declared that he
was probably engaged more in the
liquor business in this country than
any other man, directly or indirectly"
He also revived the argument that the
Treasury Secretary was disqualified
under an old statute forbidding men
engaged In business and commerce from
serving In the cabinet.
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