Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-20

States was going to abandon Its con-
tracts"
you did want to prevent the advoca-
ton OF those contracts" said Senator
Robinson.
mo" replied the witness. I'VE only
wanted to find out what the Govern
ment would do"
Pay Held Too Much.
why was he paid so large sum-?
asked Senator Robinson, referring to
the $25,000 compensation of Shearer.
1T was too much" said the witness
Il thought so at the time"
why did you enter into 1t then"
asked Senator Robinson.
Because of the judgement of the
Others"
Mr.. Bardo said that the amount had
been suggested by Mr.. Palen of the
Newport News Shipbuilding g. Dry Dock
Corporation. He said that he himself
had made the comment SOS, 900 was
more than the job was worth.
Senator Robinson asked the witness
II he had made any attempt to find
out about Shearer and what he coulc
do. The witness said that he had not
did you receive any reports Of what
he was doing at the conference?" asked
Senator Robinson.
Eyes. they are here" said Mr.. Barbo
submitting copies of Shearer's reports
He said that he himself had only reaC
some of them and did not know of the
existence of others until after Shearel
had brought suit recently to compel the
shipbuilding companies to pay him an
other $250,000 for his services. Mr.
Bardo said the report had been put ir
the files by his secretary. who "jusi
thought they were some more cheap
talk"
Didn't Tell Secretary.
did your secretary know you were
paying Shearer $25, 000"? asked Senator
Robinson.
mo. I don't tell him all my business,
was the answer.
The witness said that he didn't con-
slider any Of the reports Of Shearer i'm
portant. The press reports, he said
clearly indicated the trend Of the con-
ference and what was likely to happen
"a disagreement
That's what you were interested In,
suggested Senator Robinson.
mo, was interested in the trend OF
the conference and not in a disagree
ment," was the reply!
MY poor mind cannot grasp the diff
ference" said Senator Robinson.
WAS not the real subject Of the
conference a failure?" he asked.
Certainly not" replied the witness
who said as matters turned out the
shipbuilding companies did not need an
observer at Geneva.
Bardo testified that he first informed
Shearer that his services were to be
considered terminated in a letter sent
through Attorney Hunter on December
II, 1927. The decision to dispense with
Shearer's services was reached at q
regular meeting of the board of direc-
tors Of Bardos company, 1t was stated
Additional $4,000.
In the cross examination 1t was
brought out that an additional $4,000
was paid Shearer in 1928 by the Trans
oceanic Co., organized by former Presl-
dent Wilder of the Brown Boveri Cor
poration. Bardo said that the Trans
oceanic Co. had no direct connection
with the Brown Boveri Corporation
but under questioning said he had
talked with Mr.. Wilder about the en-
ployment of Shearer. The TranSocean1c
Co, the committee was told, was to
project a four-day liner service across
the Atlantic and Shearer's employment
was for the purpose Of having him GO
to California and attempt to interest
william Randolph Hearst in the flnan-
cial end of the plan.
The same company also financed q
trip of Shearer to Washington to at
tend a merchant marine hearing, Bardo
stated. The witness stressed that the
$4,000 paid Shearer by the Trans
Oceanic Co. had no connection whatever
with the services at Geneva.
Senator Robinson asked why 1t was
Shearer was employed by the Trans
Oceanic Co. in 1928 If his previous Serv-
ices with the shipbuilding companies
had proved to be so unsatisfactory as
evidenced by his discharge. Bardo te-
piled that he had demonstrated with
Mr. Wilder over the latter's plan to en-
ploy Shearer.
II told Wilder ! regarded shearer