The Washington times., 1933-06-02
D. K.
REPORTEDON
KIT DEAL
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Fechner advised him the pur-
chase from the Bevier Corpora
ton was personally authorized
and instructed by Louis McHenry
Howe. secretary to the President.
Appearing before the commit
tee, Howe yesterday made an en-
phatic denial of this assertion.
Howe appeared at his own re.
quest before the investigation had
been formally authorized. He
told Senators that he had signed
a letter, verbally approved by the
President, authorizing FeChner to
use his own discretion. General
Dewitt said:
'T advised Fechner strongly
not to have anything to do
with the purchase of these kits
but first of all to be certain
the President was fully advised.
MIR. Fechner said he had been
ordered to do it. He said he
had been ordered by the Presi-
dent"
Senator Black CD of Aala'
bama interrupted to ask:
"Did he say how he got the
order from the President"
"He said he had received a
telephone message from Mr..
Howe"
Tells of Letter
Then the witness told of re-
ceiving a letter from Fechner say
ing that complying with instruc-
tionS from the President" he had
signed the order for the purchase.
In the letter, Dewitt added, it was
declared, Il am further instructed
by direction of tt President" to
tell the War Department that it
should cease purchases of these
supplies and cancel contracts.
After bein,- sworn as witness,
the general told the committee
members that he had taken this
question up with offic ais of his
department. including Dern and
Assistant Secretary Woodring, in
an effort to prevent execution OF
the contract. He testified:
Secretary Dern called up the
President on the telephone. AL
though 1 did not hear the
conversation, the secretary said
the President had advised him
he had turned the whole matter
over to the director of the
budget"
Criticized Material
Black asked Dewitt if Fech,
ner grave you any defense OF
the contract" and the witness
replied:
"He said the items we had
been supplying were of poor
character and not suitable. He
said the bristles pulled out Of
the shaving brushes and that
the soap and tOothpaste were
rancid"
Dewitt revealed that after re-
peated and unavailing protests.
a general order was issued from
Army headquarters May 26, de-
claring you are hereby informed
that the memorandum OF recent
date has been brought to the
attention of the President and
no action was taken by him to
cancel the Bevier contract
The order then instructed
Dewitt to cease all purchases OF
similar articles and cancel all
contracts that may be cancelIeo'
It added that no responsibility
will be on the War Department
for fulfillment of the Bevler con-
tract. The memorandum was
signed by order of Secretary o1
war Dern and bore the signature
of Adiutant General Mckinley,
Senator Reynolds Cd Oh
North Carolina, asked Dewitt:
What did the Secretary nj
War say when he spent an
hour and a half discussing TINS
matter at the White House.
"He did not say what the
conversation was"
Will Broaden Probe
The investigation launched by
Senator Carey, (RD Of Wyomlng'
is to be broadened in scope, 1t was
indicated today,
Purchases of tools and supplies
for the camps and clothing for
the men also will be investigated
it was reported.
Another item that will be
probed, it is expected, is a report
that saws for use in the woods
have been purchased for $3.50
while the same type of saw can
be had for $3.50.