Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-03-23
Public Awaits More Light
On Charges Against Mellon

drew Mellon, zone of the. greatest
enigmas of modern times" adding
that while his creed UNDERSTANDABLE
is that of intrenched privilege, you
can't condemn a man simply because
he doesn't alter the views which have
become an integral part of his nature"
1T is regrettable,' the San Fran
cisco Chronicle holds, that at time
when there is need for confidence IN
institutions and men in high places
there should be drawn such an issue
as arises in the Andrew w. Mellon in
come tax case and in which the re-
suit inevitably must reflect upon one
of two eminent persons, Mr.. Mellon or
Mr.. CUMMINGS"
Aside from any opinion on his in
tegrity, and most people feel that he
valued reputation more than money"
says the Rockford Register Republic,
1T would seem obvious that he had
every facility for understanding the
tax laws and sufficient intelligence to
render unto Caesar to the last farth-
ing due" The Cincinnati Times-Star
is of the opinion that lit would be
against ordinary common sense for
man in Melons position to make an
intentional false return"
To the New York Sun 1.-The vigor
with which Mr.. Mellon denounceS
Mr.. Cummings performance indicates
not only indignation but perfect con-
fidence that the Department Of Justice
has nothing on which to base a case
against him"
On the other hand, the Raleigh
News and Observer takes the position
that after those months of investiga-
ton, it would not be crude politics
but political stupidity to take action
where grounds did not exist for such
action"
1t seems to the South Bend Tribune
that 1.-The fact that the adminiStra-
tors in Washington are willing to lay
the case before a grand jury indicates
their confidence in the case" but the
Indianapolis Star suggests that "H
the Attorney General had anything
definite on the former Secretary of
the Treasury, he would not hesitate
to tell it or at least to act on that
information"
THAT Andrew w. Mellon should pay
his full measure of income tax does
not admit of controversy" states the
jamestown Post. yet. that he is q
rich man." continues this paper,
would not warrant an exceptional
proceeding being taken against him
in case an omission were discovered,
at least not until he had declined to
comply with demands made on him."
In this opinion the Nashville TenneS-
sean concurs, and the Columbus Eve
ming Dispatch declares that "the in
tegrity of the former Secretary of the
Treasury has never been questioned"
The Richmond Dispatch re-
CARDS it as natural that the action
should be charged to politics, but
points out that Attorney General
Cummings sis an officer high In the
United States Government and his
the Omaha World-Herald is certain
that 1.-The general public will not share
the suspicion" The Omaha paper
concludes: The administration at
Washington is not playing politics,
particularly politics of the crude
variety"
THE income tax law, manifestly,
must be clarified" believes the st.
Louis Post-Dispatch. at must be re-
written in vital particulars, so that
all citizens shall pay their honest
quota. That and that only should be
the objective of the prosecution the
Department Of Justice proposes to
| undertake"