Evening star., 1933-06-06
'STOCKHOLDERL|ST
Of Be V|ER ORDERED
Senate Committee Demands
Names in Connection With
Kit Probe.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A list Of stockholders in Be Vier &
Co., Inc, of New York, seller of zoe, 900
kits for reforestation camp workers,
has been called for by the Senate Mil
itary Affairs Committee, which today
heard from Louis McHenry Howe,
President Roosevelt's secretary, that he
had not influenced the purchase.
Chairman Sheppard told newspaper
men after the committee concluded
hearing Howe today, that the list of
stockholders had been asked Of the COM
pany mt the request of Senator Carey,
Republican, Of Wyoming, author of the
resolution investigating the purchase.
Carey told newspaper men he wanted
the list because of runors that promi-
nent persons are involved" He de-
clined to identify either the persons or
source Of the rumors.
Howe, speaking calmly and slowly,
reiterated to the committee today be-
fore q room packed with spectators
that II never directly nor indirectly
attempted to influence any decision In
this matter of the purchase of the kits
by Robert Fechner, director of the con-
servation work.
Howe appeared last week at his own
request, saying it was to clear up an
impression that he had instructed
Fechner. director of the conservation
program, to buy the kits.
Army officials have testified that In
their opinion, the kits-which were
ordered at s1.40 each-could be dupli-
Gated for from rs cents to IS cents
apiece.
De Witt to Be Recalled.
Senator Duffy, Democrat, of Wiscon-
sin, as the hearing began today, OBJ
tanned permission to recall Mai Gen.
John L. De Witt, quartermaster gen.
eral. for questioning about this.
The hearing room was packed with
spectators.
The Presidents secretary, reading
calmly from prepared statement after
announcing he was ready for question
ing, reiterated that he felt the claims
of Richard B. Be Vier that he could
supply better kits for less than the
Army, had been investigated by F. w
Lowery, assistant to the budget direc-
| tor, Lewis Douglas.
In explanation of q statement that
| he did not know at the time who sent
Be Vier to his Office on May Is, when
the kits were ordered, Howe said let
| ter of introduction to him which Be
Vier had from Basil O'Connor was
taken by his secretary and he was not
| told at the time.
When he appeared, had no konwl-
edge that he came on with any intro
duction whatever" Howe said, nor die
know this until looked UP the letter
| in the files after reading the newspapers
| stating that he (BeVier) had come with
a letter of introduction from Mr.
OConnor"
He had the letter with him.
Signed With Nickname.
It was dated May IL and signed
DOC" which BeVier previously hao
told the committee was O'Connor'i
nickname in identifying him as 6
former law partner Of President Roose.
velt
1t has developed that Fechnel
doubted he had authority to order the
kits and that letter prepared BY
Lowery on May Is giving this specific
authority was signed by Howe and re-
ceived by Fechner May Is.
| Howe's explanation Of the whole In
cident follows In the text Of his pre-.
pared statement:
F<"I have read the testimony gave al
my last hearing, and I see nothing
| froDtin,,od an pace . Cnl,,rnn 5A