The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-08
!RENEE DU POINT
TO co BEFORE
ARMS PROBERS
Delaware Munitions Maker
Will Face Investigators
Next Week.

By United Press
WASHINGTON. Sept. s.-Irenee
Du Pont. whose vast Delaware NUM-
lions interests made wartime
profits of s5S,OOO,OOO will face senate
Investigators next week in one of
the most important phases Of the
fast-moving arms inquiry, it was
learned today.
The 58-year-old manufacturer,
one of Americas wealthieSt men and
an organizer of the non-partisan
American Liberty League, recently
condemned the investigation as part
OF a nationwide Red plot"
1t was understood that Du Pont
will insist that his firms trade
secrets be withheld from newspaper
men and that hearings involving his
activities be attended only by SEN
ators and investigators.
If he makes such demands. he
will tangle with committee chair
man Gerald P. Nye rep. N. d..
Mr.. Nye said recently:
These munitions makers have
been doing business secretly for so
long that it's about time their al
fairs were made public"
Liberty League Enters Talk
1t was indicated Mr.. Nye would
question Du Pont about Liberty
League activities. The society, de-
voted to the guarantee of liberties
of the people and to the encourage
ment of initiative" includes Alfred
E. Smith. John W. Davis, Jouett
Shouse and other prominent Demo-
Gratis among its members.
Some think this is an anti-New
Deal venture" Mr. Nye said of the
league and Mr. Du Points connec-
ton with it. For my own part I'm
wondering if the munitions inquiry
is in line for attack as a Red plot
and wholly un-American."
Like the Krupps of Germany and
Schneider-Creusot of France, the
E. 1. Du Pont De Nemours g. Com
pany has enjoyed a close and cor
dial relationship with the govern
ment for more than 100 years.
Founded in 1902, it received its start
through the interest of President
Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson instructed the war and
navy departments to patronize the
firm.
Although its profits were great.
the Du Pont company enjoyed a rep
utation for supreme patriotism. Ac-
cording to general reports, it never
knowingly sold munitions to be used
against American troops.
AS the committee ended the first
week of its ar-reaching inquiry,
members were enthusiastic about its
results. Disclosures of graft and
international intrigue in the vast
armament business brought from
them predictions that more STAR
ting developments" would follow.
Surface Merely Scratched"
Senator James P. Pope Dem..
Idaho said the investigation has
so far merely scratched the sur
face" Il hope" he said, that public
opinion will react strongly enough
that some sort of control will be
adopted to prevent lobbying, propa-
ganda, graft, bribery and other SIM
liar practices.
Such action would be a long
step toward more lasting peace
among nations"
Next week the committee will
continue its examination of affairs
OF the American Armament Cor
poration, giving special attention to
the companys activities in South
America during the Gran Chaco
disturbances and in Cuba during re-
cent revolutions.
1t was learned that investigators
obtained evidence that both rebels
and loyal troops in Cuba used arms
and ammunition purchased from
the same American firm.