Monday, May. 07, 1928

Tate for White

Games involving money amuse some people. A new money game current last fortnight was played by many people somewhat as follows:

First player--"Name the Treasurer of the United States."

Second player--"Andrew Mellon."

First player (jubilantly)--"Wrong."

Second--"Oh, I know. Calvin Coolidge."

First (chortling)--"Wrong again. Ho Ho!"

Second (lamely)--"Well, Coolidge is commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy isn't he?"

First--"Certainly. But who is Treasurer of the United States?"

Second--"Well, now let's see. . . . But Andrew Mellon is too Treasurer."

First--"No, he's Secretary of the Treasury. Why don't you look in your pocket?"

Second--"In my pocket? How do you mean?"

First--"Haven't you got something signed by the Treasurer of the United States in your pocket? I have."

Second (fumbling)--"My income tax blank you mean?"

First--"No, a certificate for something the Government owes you. Something you can collect on. It says on them: 'There has been deposited in the Treasury of the United States of America. . . .' "

Second -- "0, 1 know. Money, you mean paper money."

First -- "Sure. See down here in the right-hand corner on the back side where it's signed -Treasurer of the United States

Second -- "Well, I'll be! I never noticed that before."

So went the game last fortnight. But after May i, the answer was a different one. The resignation of Col. White took effect that day. Aged 71, having served as U. S. Treasurer since 1921, Col. White was going to be president of the newly formed Southern Mortgage Guaranty Corp. of Chattanooga, Tenn. People in Washington knew that Chattanooga was gaining a gallant citizen. Col. White was North Dakota's Governor in 1901-1905. He commanded an infantry regiment in the War.

To succeed Col. White, President Coolidge nominated for promotion Assistant Treasurer H. Theodore Tate, another Tennesseean. Figuratively speaking, Mr. Tate picked up the pen laid down by Col. White and upon a large white sheet of paper executed his own autograph in huge script. The signature was sent to the photo-engraver to be reduced and reproduced upon new Federal currency. Mr. Tate would not let people see how he had signed his name until after his confirmation by the Senate.