Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-16
DISMISSAL Of HALL
HELDNECESS|TYBY
SECRETARY'S AIDE
Lamont's Assistant Says
Controversy "StraW That
Broke Gamers Back"
lNS0LENCE is BLAMED
FOR EXPERTS DISCHARGE
Removed Official, However,
Charges Interference by
Unframed Men.

The controversy over Department
Of Commerce survey known as Balance
of International Payments" which re-
suited in the discharge of DR.. Ray Ovid
Hall of the Finance Division, was de-
scribed today by Malcolm Kerlin, adj
ministrative assistant to Secretary La
mont, as the straw that finally broke
the camels back"
DR.. Hall claimed he was dismissed by
the chief of the division, DR.. Grosvenor
Jones. because he refused to suppress
certain data in connection with his
preparation Of the survey. But the dis
miSSal was on the grounds OF "in-
science" and characterization" accord
ing to o. p Hopkins, first assistant d.
rector of the Bureau Of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, being necessary
administrative matter.
In the ordinary routine. the diSmis-
sal of the financial expert will be
brought to the attention of Secretary
Lamont It was indicated today& that
his discharge would be approved.
elimination Of Disagreements.
Both Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Kerlin said
today that the trouble was the culmtna-
ton of a series Of diSagreements be-
tween DR.. Hall and his immediate SUI
perior and other officials, extending over
opportunity several weeks ago to seek
other employment outside the DEPART
ment of Commerce, it was said because
his Temperament" made 1t impossible
for him to get along well with others.
Mr.. Hopkins admitted that publica-
ton of the survey has been delayed
for nearly a month on account OF
these disagreements, but is now being
pushed and will be issued shortly.
IF there was any juggling OF Stats
tics in. dispute" the assistant director
said. 1t was DR.. Hal who was trying
to do the juggling AID DR.. JosSeS who
prevented 1t. We have great deal OF
respect for DR.. Jones' Judgment and
when it became a question between the
two, we dismissed DR.. Hall. That is the
end of it so. far as this bureau Is con-
cerned."
Principal Dispute.
The principal dispute, it seems. arose
over a discrepancy of $270, 000, 900 in
the international, balance of payments,
which Mr.. Hopkins said was not un-
usual in view Of the fact that balance
is based on estimates and involves ST.
600 000. 900.
DR.. Jones wished. to omit an item OF
SITS, 10000 which he said impugned
the veracity of figures issued by the
Customs Bureau. DR.. Hall contended
that the Customs Bureau had over
because 1t failed to allow for declines In
values during shipments. Since the de-
partment has no machinery for follow
ing up the sales of goods after they had
been appraised by customs ofhcials, DR..
Halls contention was held to be mere
gueSswork.
It was suggested to DR.. Hall that he
follow the course taken by Great Britain
in putting the discrepancy figures in an
unexplained" column. but this he re-
fused to do. Since the departments
survey Is based on export and import
data, supposed to be unaccompanied by
opinions and comments. the ensuing
arguments resulted in its publication
being delayed.
In Service 10 Years.
DR.. Hall also had contended that the
department had sought to suppress GER
tain data on imports in order to favor
the Smoot- Hawley tariff act by its
figures, mentioning, it was explained.
rubber. coffee and copper. He didn't
remember at the time he made this
charge that these three products are on
the free list Mr.. Hopkins declared
Later, when he recalled that fact, DR..
Hall withdrew the charge"
DR.. Hall has been employed In the
finance division of the Bureau of For
eign and Domestic Commerce for 10
years. Before then he had served in the
foreign service of the bureau. He re-
sides at 2025 o street.
DR.. Hall explained today that he does
not intend to seek reinstatement There
would be no use in an appeal to Secre-
tary Lamont" he. added. THE vote
for my dismissal was unanimous"
He said, however, that he had been
dealing with principles" whereas his
superiors had been dealing with per
sonalities"
The whole trouble came out of OH
cial interference with trained expert
by those who are unframed in technical
economics" DR.. Hall said. THAT should
serve as q lesson"