Evening star., 1934-03-04
INDICTMENTS SEEM
AS WAR QUIZ ENDS
Grand Jury May Question
Other Witnesses During
This Week..

It's inquiry into war department
contracts nearing completion, the
grand jury yesterday gave considera-
\ ton to the complicated task OF draw
Nag up a report of its f1ndings-wlth
indications that from three to six per-
sons may be indicted for conspiracy
to defraud the Government.
Before final action is taken on a
presentment, however, the jurors may
question several additional witnesses
this week. Two persons new to the
inquiry are coming here from out OF
town tomorrow for Interrogation by
United States Attorney Leslie G..
Garnett.
The findings of the grand jury, it
Is understood, will have to do with
more than one alleged conspiracy
although the same participants are
involved, in several instances.
The grand jury started out more
than four weeks ago to inquire into
complaints of irregularity in bidding
for motor truck contracts under the
Armys S1O,OO0,000 motorization pro-
gram. but has expanded its inquiry
to cover negotiations for surplus Army
clothing, saddles. tent covers, tires
and other articles.
To Study Testimony.
Fourteen typewriter volumes of
testimony given by twoscore wit
nesses will be carefully studied and
analyzed preparatory to formulation
of a report, it was learned last night.
Among the more important wit
nesses have been Assistant Secretary
of War Harry H. Woodring, former
Assistant Secretary of War Frederick
H. Payne and Ralph T. O'Nei, for
mer national commander of the Amer
lean Legion All important witnesses
were required to sign waivers OF
immunity before testifying.
Garnett indicated yesterday the
grand Jury would be prepared to re-
port in the District Supreme Court
by next Wednesday or Thursday. Sew
eral out-of town newspapers have as
signed staff correspondents to cover
the proceedings and have installed
special leased wires in the court house
press room in readiness for the eli
max of the hearings this week.
Identity Secret.
Identity of the two new witnesses
summoned by Garnett is being with
held pending a decision tomorrow a
to whether they will be taken before
the grand Jury. Their testimony. II
received, would concern certain motor
truck bids, it is said.
Because of the reported connection
of certain persons with more than ont
transaction under inquiry, it appeareo
the indictments, if any, would cen
tain several counts embracing differ
ent cases.
officials are believed to be following
'hands-of" policy with respect tt
formulation of the grand jury re-
port-except to give legal interpreta
tions as requested. The final decision
as to whom to indict or not inoic
will be left entirely to the inquisito
rial body, it appears. At first it hat
been said the Government woult
"ask" for the indictment of certain
persons.
With the hearings due to end soon
Department OF Justice agents were re
doubling their efforts to locate an i'm
portant witness, Frank E. SLeicher
tire company agent, who checked Gu
of local apartment house on tn
eve OF grand jury summons.
Seen in New York.
Speicher was seen by acquaintance.
in New York City about two week.
ago, it is said, but investigators have
been unable to locate him there Tht
agents have searched from coast tt
coast for the missing witness. whose
testimony is deemed important il
view of documentary evidence recently
uncovered. Speicher and R. c. Remick
an associate, are alleged to have beer
approached by a man who claimed
ability to influence War Department
tire awards
The White House is known to. bt
watching developments in the granc
jury investigation with special in
Roosevelt that the Department O
started grand jury proceedings, CO
incident with the barring from tn
War Department of Joseph Silver
man, jr., New York trader.
Silverman has not been called be
fore the grand jury. He has retained
A. Mitchell Palmer to protect his in
terests and through Palmer he re-
Gently called on Secretary of Wa,
Dern to carry out a contract Silver
man had signed for an exchange O
valuable military equipment for 700,
900 suits of war surplus underweal
bought by Silverman from the Army
Circumstances attending negotiation!
for this trade have been under
scrutiny by the jurors, it is believed
O'Neil. who is said to have repre-
sented Silverman in some of his deal
ings with the War Department, alst
has secured counsel and was accom-
panied to the court house by ar
attorney on the occasion Of his vol
untary appearance before the grant
jury last week ONeil's lawyer L
John Lewis Smith, former depart
mental commander of the American
Legion for the District of Columbia.
The grand jury hearings are beint
conducted by David Pine, assistant
United States attorney.