The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-15
LOBBY TRIED
TO GET HIM,
SAYS WITNESS
Tariff Commission Expert
TeStifieS Agent Sought
His Discharge.
EVIDENCE LEAK Barred
Testimony Given at Secret
Hearing DivuIged to
Manufacturers.

m United Press
WASHINGTON Oct. 15.-FTede-
rick l.. Koch, pottery expert of the
United States tariff commission, told
the senate lobby investigating COM
mittee today that William Burgess,
legislative agent for the pottery in
dustry, sought to get him dis
charged.
Koch indirectly had alleged there
we're irregularities in the writing of
tho pottery schedule of the pending
Republican tariff bill.
The government tariff expert told
the committee the testimony he
gave in a secret hearing before the
house ways and means committee
had been in some way found out by
Burgess.
The hearing took place in the
same room in the senate office buNd-
ing where the famous Teapot Dome
investigation was held. Question
ing was led today by Senator
Thomas J. Walsh Dem., MONTH
who conducted the Teapot Dome
inquiry.
Many Lobbyists Present
Many familiar faces were seen
among the spectators, including a
number we'll known around Wash
ington as Legislative agents" and
who may come under the commit
tees microscope.
rnrrnI1A IN hoUa mo
discharged, on the ground that ]
gave biased and prejudiced testi-
mony," Koch said.
Koch said he was socially friend
Of David Walker of Morimura
Brothers, Inc, a japanese import
ing firm, but had no business rela-
lions with him. The witness said he
never made any recommendations to
congressional committees regarding
rates.
Koch said when he appeared be-
fore the potters' subcommittee OF
the house ways and means COM
nnittee this year. his testimony had
been attacked by members Of the
committee, including Chairman Wat
son pa. Undertake (Colo0, and
Baccharach IN. j..
ct did not worry much about that,
because I knew what I was talking
about regarding pottery facts and
I knew they did not know" Koch
said. He added he became interested
when changes we're made in the
pottery schedule on the floor of the
house and then he learned Burgess
and Wyllie were seeking to have
him dismissed.
Only four Of the five members OF
the investigating committee were
present at the start, Chairman
Caraway Dem. Ark). Walsh
CMont), Robinson CRep., Ind and
Blaine (Rep., Wis.,.
Robinson developed that Koch
twice had visited Walkers home at
Glen Ridge, N. j., and that Walker
had visited him here.
'T know practically all the i'm
porters," Koch said. Il know the
domestic manufacturers, too
But have you ever visited them
like you did Walker2" Robinson
asked.
mo"
Chemist on Stand
Karl Langenbeck, pottery chemist,
the second witness. testified Burgess
had obtained a position on the tariff
commission for him in 1922, but
that he had been discharged sum-
marily in 1924.
MY resignation was requested by
the secretary of the commission,
Iangenbeck said. mo reason was
given, I don't know whether there
was any charge or complaint
against me. never inquired"
Langenbeck said there were fire.
quent discussions in the commission
about pottery rates and he took the
position. IN short. that high rates
were not necessary, while burgess
took the opposite view. Burgess
then was a member of the COM