Evening star., 1934-12-12
PENROSE SHOWN
FAvOR|NG DU POINT
Letter at Munitions Probe
Says He Ordered Watson
to Help Gun Makers.
Nv thu Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A 1920 letter from the Du Pont
files, which quoted the late Senator
Penrose, Republican boss Of Pennsyl-
vania, as ordering Senator Watson
Republican, Of Indiana, to "give the
Du Points what they want, Just as far
as you possibly can without getting
into q row." was read to the Senate
Munitions Committee today.
The letter, which was not ex-
planned by the testimony, referred tG
dye legislation.
Signed only "R," the letter said:
Il had q long talk with John King
this morning.
He says Penrose wants to put ovel
the best legislation possible for dyes
at this time. with the intention Of i'm
proving it and giving us what we want
later, as soon as their control 1.
strengthened.
Cites Meeting With Watson.
"He says he was in a meeting be.
tween Penrose, Watson and himself
In fact, he took Watson to Penrose
about three or four weeks ago, they
being the first to see Penrose after
his sickness.
"Penrose's orders to Watson were
Give Du Points what they want just as
far as you possibly can without get
ting into a row. and will improve II
later to meet their views
Watson later became Republican
leader of the Senate. but was defeated
for reelection in 1882.
Irenee du Pont told newspapermen
the 1920 letter was written to him by
r. r. M. Carpenter, a Du Pont oficial
Laid Down the Law"
He explained the letter dealt with
an embargo on dyes to protect the
industry as a national defense move.
II laid down the law to Penrose
that the United States needed a dye
industry" Du Pont explained.
II am sure he was sold on that,
though he never would say So"
Du Pont told the committee earlier
that a feet of airplanes carrying gas
or incendiary bombs could make 1t
very serious" for the civilian popula-
ton Of New York.
1T is just silly" he said, "to think
one airplane could wipe out the city.
However, there is no doubt that with
q large feet the civilian population
would be in a very bad way"
Senator Clark, Democrat, Of Mis-
souri, said he had heard 100 planes
could destroy Paris.
That is, of course" Du Pont said,
"a subject of speculation. No one
knows how many ships would be
needed. 1t is, however, very serious
problem"
Accused Of Propaganda.
Stephen Raushenbush, committee
investigator, sought to develop that
the Du Pont company tried to build
up in the public mind through pub
iicity the importance of the chemical
industry in time Of war.
Du Pont indicated the Germans
would have won the war without de-
lay when they unloosed their first gas
attacks but for the fact they didn't
know how much chlorine was re-
Quired
IF they had had enough gas they
could have swept through to imme-
diate victory" he said. t...t
As the hearing opened. American
arms manufacturers were described as
opposing all arms embargo proposals
offered in Congress.
New Evidence Offered.
The assertion was by Senator Pope,
Democrat, of Idaho, after offering new
evidence of conferences between mu-
nitions makers and Washington Of
ficials when embargo legislation was
pending.
K K v. Casey, Du Pont official, said
the activities of his company on such
occasions arose from the fact that the
concern was part Of the plan for
industrial mobilization in time of war
and was duty bound" to draw the
attention Of military officials to such
moves.
According to the testimony and
evidence before this committee" Pope
said, every congressional resolution
on arms embargoes or munitions re-
strictions has been the subject of
opposition on the part of your Aiken
Simons (Du Points Washington repre-
sentative) and representatives of other
companies"
II insist you are mistaken" Lammot
du Pont remarked.
well, can you recall any legislation
that wasn't opposed?" Pope asked.
II cannot recall any that was not
matter of consideration" Du Pont
agreed.