Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-27
D|SM|SSALS
ROW HANGING FIRE
Chairman Declines Comment
on McNinch Statement
on ReinstatementS.

With date still to be fixed for the
mission, and Congress not due back for
another week, the furore aroused by
the severance from service Of two un-
deroff1cials, Charles A. Russell, solicitor,
and William v. King, chief accountant,
through action of quorum of the COM
mission was in an indefinite stage today.
Chairman Smith said that there
might" be statement Forthcoming
this afternoon after he had conferred
with Commissioner Garsaud, the only
other member of the commission now
in the Capital, but there was no indi-
cation as to what this might emhody,
unless an approximate date was set for
the gathering of the commission, whose
other three members, McNinch Draper
and Williamson, are away for the holi-
days.
Declines McNinch Comment.
Nor would Dr. Smith comment on a
statement issued last night in his home,
in Charlotte, N. c., to the Associated
Press by Commissioner McNinch, who
said that as result of a telephone
conversation with the chairman he
hoped when the full commission meets
commission, without exception, will be
invited to continue in their respective
posts of duty for 80 days, or until the
new commission can proceed with de-
liberation to the selection of its staff
of employees"
Action on Russell, King and Frank
E. Bonner, formerly executive secre-
tary, was taken in the absence of Com
miSSionerS Williamson and McNinch,
who have not yet been sworn in, and
McNinch yesterday, in a letter TO a
friend here, expressed some surprise at
this, but said he was certain no dis
respect" was intended.
DR.. Smith takes the attitude that
when three members OF the commission
took Office the new commission was in
force and the old commission and all
personnel automatically went out In
all cases but those of the three men
concerned the Civil Service Commits
sion was asked to extend their tenure,
and inaction in their cases automatical-
ly cut them from the pay roll, he holds.
Press advices indicate that the abb
sent members of the commission also
| take this view of the law, which, how
ever, is disputed by both Russell and
ing office and the executive secretary
ship were abolished in the new law.
Bonner Unconcerned.
Bonner, whose troubles with Russell
and King were held responsible for
their severance, is not concerned APP
parently in what may be done in the
future, as he contends he resigned
Independent Republican and Demo-
cratic Senators who plan to make a
motion for reconsideration of the
nominations of Smith, Garsaud and
Draper said yesterday that they had a
/ promise from a Senator, who is eligible
/ TO 90 so. to make a motion for recon-
/ sideration. Administration Senators
on the contrary, challenge the legality
| Of such a move.
AS another development in the case,
/ Chairman Nye of the Senate Public
! Lands Committee said if his commit
| tee investigates the charges by Ralph
| S. Kelley Of irregularities in the dis
| position Of oil shale lands, recently
given prominence, that he would en-
! ploy Russell as an investigator. Such
an assignment would be accepted by
Russell, it is believed.