Word was that someone had checked with the Bureau of Internal Revenue as to whether a prize like Lindbergh’s might be subject to income tax. Embarrassed, Mellon’s staff had to report that the Orteig Award was subject to the levy. “It’s just something that can’t be helped,” said an anonymous bureau spokesman. “When we tax the money paid to a beauty contest winner, I don’t see how we can pass up the Lindbergh Prize.” Lindbergh owed $1,233.75 by the graduated code. Instantly, though, donors were there, offering to foot Lindy’s bill. In a cable, a Dallas man, William E. Easterwood, Jr., offered to
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