Evening star., 1932-02-04
Mr.. Mellon Goes to London.

President Hoovers selection of An
drew Mellon as Ambassador to Great
Britain is total surprise to the coun-
try. but altogether an agreeable one.
Mr. Melons name had not been men
toned in all the discussion of the pos
sibilities of appointment that followed
the resignation of Gen. Dawes. 1t had
been taken for granted. 1t would seem,
that the veteran head of the Treasury
Department would desire to complete
his third term in that Office to equal
the record of Albert Gallatin, who
served from May. 1901. to May, 1918.
But. as the President states in his pub
lie announcement of the appointment,
the critical situation facing all coun-
tries in their international relations,
the manifold economic and other prob
lens demanding wise solution In our
national interests, call for experience
and Judgment of the highest order"
Such circumstances led him, therefore,
TO call upon one of our wisest and
most experienced public servants to &C
cept position which will enable him,
after many years of distinguished pub
lie service at home. to render equal
service to his country in the foreign
field"
The international questions of great
est importance at this time are chiefly
financial in character. Mr. Melons
long experience in finance before he
became Secretary Of the Treasury and
his almost unequaled length of service
at the head of the Treasury Depart
ment, spanning period Of exceptional
difficulty in the readjustment of the
national finances IN the years follow
ing the Great War, qualify him to an ex-
ceptional degree to participate in the
conduct OF American foreign relations
at this critical time. The knowledge of
his ability and strict integrity that pre-
walls in this country is shared by the
people of Europe. At London he will
command entire respect and complete
confidence.
Of Mr.. Mellon as the holder of the post
OF Secretary Of the Treasury during al
most all Of three presidential terms
with that of Albert c. latin becomes
the more significant when it Is recalled
that Gallatin likewise went from the
Treasury into the diplomatic field. He
was sent to st. Petersburg In 1913 as
one Of the commissioners to urge Rus
sian mediation between Great Britain
and the United States, to end the Sec
ond war between this country and Eng
land. He then became one Of the COM
rissioners Of peace and materially in
fuenced the shaping of the Treaty of
Ghent. That was the beginning of an
extensive career in diplomacy, he serving
from 1916 to 1923 as Minister to France
and some years later as Minister to
Great Britain.
1t is perhaps not to be expected, In.
view Of Mr. Melons more advanced
age, that he will parallel the career of
Gallatin in diplomacy as he has so
nearly paralleled 1t in the Treasury
But that he will be able to render
equally important service as Ambass2d dor.
is assured by the circumstances that
now exist in the arena of foreign rela-
tions and his long experience in han
ding in an administrative capacity the
questions that are foremost in the for
eign field.
In the present Undersecretary of the
Treasury. Ogden Mills, the President
has prospective successor TO the now
retiring Secretary. Mr.. Mills, in service
since March 4, 1927, has acted as head
of the Department at intervals In the
absence of his chief and has proved
himself eminently capable in meeting
that responsibility. He has the conf
dence of all who have had dealings with
him. He thoroughly understands the
problems of fiscal administration. His
advancement to the secretaryship will
ensure the maintenan nee of the policies
and practices that have marked the
postwar period. '~