Evening star., 1934-03-01
|$54,O0O FEE Barred
| IN ARMY INQUIRY
LaWyer-L Was to
Have Received Sum From
Chicago Firm.
BY REX COLLIER.

A written contract, described by
officials as "brazen," under which q
prominent lawyer lobbyist was to have
received $4,000 and further commits
sions" II he secured from the War
Department certain large motor truck
contracts, was under investigation to
day rs the grand jury prepared to
call new witnesses next week.
The $40 fee, under the contract
signed with leading Chicago motor
truck firm, was to have been given
the lawyer, although he had per-
formed no legal service other than to
have an associate lobbyist, active in
the American Legion, negotiate for an
award by the War Department, the
grand jury is said to have been in
formed.
Four alleged principals in this deal
have been questioned by the grand
jury and others may be called for in
terrogation next week, it was learned
today.
All Contracts Help Up.
But for sudden action by the White
House in ordering all Army contracts
held up pending thorough investi-
CATION by the Department of Justice
and the grand jury, the firm which
employed the lawyer and his lobbying
associates would have been awarded
at least one contract involving nearly
$4,000 900, it is alleged
A high Official of the motor firm is
to have explained to Government in
vestigators that the lawyer, having
Offices here and in another city. had
been Recommended" to him by
friend as lone who knows his way
around in Washington"
After the contract was signed the
lawyer is alleged to have assigned the
task Of approaching the War Depart
ment to the Legionnaire, who, in turn,
brought another prominent Legion
naire into the case.
Speed Search for Speicher.
Associated with the lawyer was
man who recently completed a term
in Atlanta Penitentiary for fraud This
man was being questioned in New
York City today and may be called as
a grand jury witness.
Discovery of new documentary evi-
dence of an undisclosed nature, but
apparently Of great importance to the
grand jury inquiry. has resulted in an
intensification of the search for Frank
E. Speicher, leak-proof tire agent, who
disappeared from a local hotel on the
eve of the grand jury hearings.
There were reports at the court
L,
traced to California, and that he will
be served with a subpoena when locat-
ed by justice agents.
United States Attorney Leslie c.
Garnett indicated today the grand
jury will not make its report until
Speicher and other witnesses have
been questioned. A mysterious wit
ness, whose identity is being closely
guarded, is to be called before the
inquisitorial body Monday. it was
hinted. He will be asked concerning
motor truck bids, it was understood.
Associate in Dark.
When a deputy marshal went to
the Jefferson Hotel here to serve
Speicher was a summons four weeks
ago, it was found the tire agent had
checked out the day before for parts
unknown. r. c. Remick. an associate
of Speicher, could throw no light on
the whereabouts Of the agent.
Remick was questioned by the
grand jury about proposal said to
have been made to him and Speicher
by a man allegedly claiming ability
to induce the War Department to
specify the leakproof tires for Army
trucks.
Accommodating evidence of alleged
irregularities has necessitated extern
sion of the inquiry into a number of
new channels leading to figures new
to the investigation, it was learned.
1t was stated the grand jury will
be given the benefit Of every bit OF
information pertinent to the inquiry.
A report will not be prepared until
late next week. it appeared from de-
velopments today.