"RECOMMENDED BY SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE"

PROPOSED INVESTIGATION OF ALUMINUM COMPANY TO BE DECIDED ON SENATE FLOOR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 11, 1926, Associated Press reports "another investigation of the Aluminum Company of America*...was recommended today to the Senate by its judiciary committee."

AP says that Treasury secretary Andrew Mellon is a stockholder in the company.

The Walsh Report, which recommended the investigation, was supported by seven Democrats along with Republicans Borah (Idaho) and Norris (Nebraska).  

The Harreld Report, which opposed the investigation, was supported by seven Republicans.  The matter "will be fought out" on the floor of the Senate.

JFK+50 NOTE

I live 10 to 12 miles from Alcoa, Tennessee which was chosen as a plant site in 1913.  The 750 acres, including a smelting plant, was originally part of Maryville but was reincorporated as the town of Alcoa in 1914.  

*Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa Corporation) is the global leader in bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum smelting.  It was founded in 1888 & split in 2016 into Alcoa & Arconic.

SOURCES

"Alcoa, Inc. (Aluminum Company of America) by Tara Mitchell Mieinik," Tennessee Encyclopedia, www.tennesseeencyclopedia.net/

"Senate Committee Asks New Inquiry Into Aluminum Company," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 11, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Alcoa, Inc. Headquarters

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photo Tony Webster

2019

"45 MPH THROUGH A SCHOOL CROSSING"

CHAUFFEUR FINED $300 FOR 'WORST CASE' OF WRECKLESS DRIVING IN D.C.

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 13, 1924, Charles Gillan received the maximum sentence of $300 in Police Court after having been found guilty of reckless driving here in the Nation's Capital.

Mr. Gillan is the chauffeur of Mr. Arthur Sixsmith*, the private secretary of Andrew Mellon**.

Judge Gus A. Schuldt, according to The Evening Star, said that this was the "worst case" of wreckless driving that had come before him.

The defendant admitted in court to driving 45 miles per hour through a school crossing at the scene of the accident of November 18 last at the junction of Connecticut Avenue and Ashmead Place.

Gillan's vehicle crashed into a truck injuring two men who were taken to hospital for treatment.

JFK+50 NOTE

The Evening Star incorrectly names Arthur Sixsmith as "Arthur S. Sixsmith" as other sources identify his middle name as Egerton.

*Arthur Egerton Sixsmith (1880-1969) was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada & became a professional ice hockey player before going into the banking industry.

AES was the personal assistant of Andrew Mellon & amassed a wealth of $10 million before losing it all in the Stock Market Crash of 1929. 

**Andrew William Mellon (1855-1937) was born in Pittsburgh, PA & became a wealthy industrialist & banker.  AWM served as Secretary of Treasury 1921-1932 & as US Ambassador to UK 1932-1933. 

SOURCE

"Sixsmith's Driver Assessed $300 Fine," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 13, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Arthur Sixsmith

1900-1901

Source: Ottawa Citizen

"SOLDIERS' BONUS OVERSHADOWS BOTH"

PRESIDENT'S MAJOR OBJECTIVES LIKELY TO BE ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING & TAX REDUCTION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 28, 1923, The Evening Star reports that there is enough evidence to show that President Calvin Coolidge "wants to make a record of economy in government expenditures."

David Lawrence writes that this is to be the President's "first major objective."

Chairman Martin B. Madden* of the House Committee on Appropriations, in consultation with Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, indicates Mr. Coolidge's second major objective will be tax reduction.

Mr. Lawrence writes that the issue that "overshadows" both of these objectives is the soldiers' bonus.

*Martin Barnaby Madden (1855-1928) was born in England & served in the US House of Representatives (R-Illinois) 1905-1928.

SOURCE

"President Seeks To Make Record In Federal Economy," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 28, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Martin B. Madden

1918

Bain News Service Photo

Library of Congress

"BECAUSE OF MELLON'S VIEW ON TAXATION OF WEALTH"

SENATOR LA FOLLETTE CALLS FOR SECRETARY MELLON'S RETIREMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 5, 1921, Senator Robert La Follette* (R-Wisconsin) called for the retirement of Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon because of his attitude toward "taxation of wealth."

The Senator said Secretary Mellon had declared that wealth could not be made to bear its share of the cost of government.

Senator Boies Penrose** (R-Pennsylvania) came to the Secretary's defense by saying that "all prominent economists" were in agreement with that argument.

JFK+50 NOTE

Andrew Mellon served as Secretary of the Treasury 1921-1932 under Presidents Harding, Coolidge & Hoover.  AM favored a policy of reduced taxes and a reduction in the national debt.

*Robert La Follette (1855-1925) was born in Primrose, Wisconsin & earned his B.S. at the University of Wisconsin.  RL was a member of the US House of Representatives 1885-1891, Governor of Wisconsin 1901-1906 & U.S. Senator 1906-1925.

**Boies Penrose (1860-1921) was born in Philadelphia, PA & served as Pennsylvania's U.S. Senator 1897-1921. 

SOURCE

"Senator Demands Secretary Mellon Give Up Treasury," Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 5, 1921, Chronicling America, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Senator Robert La Follette

(R-Wisconsin)

1924

National Photo Company 

"THE REPEAL OF ALL OBNOXIOUS TAXES"

$600 MILLION TAX CUT AGREED UPON

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 9, 1921, "a conclave of Congress leaders and Secretary of the Treasury (Andrew) Mellon with President (Warren G.) Harding...agreed on a plan which will make possible the repeal of all obnoxious taxes."

The "burden of taxation" will be reduced by $600,000,000 during the coming fiscal year.  The committee on ways and means will be reporting the bill to the full House of Representatives favorably.  

The welcome news came on the President's first day back from his summer vacation.

*Andrew William Mellon (1855-1937) was born in Pittsburgh, PA & educated at the University of Pittsburgh.  AWM was Secretary of the Treasury 1921-1932.

SOURCE

"600 Million Tax Cut Is Agreed Upon," The New York Tribune, August 10, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Andrew William Mellon

Trinity Court Studio

Pittsburgh, PA (1921)