Evening star., 1934-12-05
SPE|CHER OFFERS
DOCUMENT PROOF
Of LOBBY CHARGES
"PossibIe Dynamite" Seen
in Papers Turned Over
to House Probers.
OFFICER AND AUTO MAN
AMONG THOSE NAMED
New Grand Jury Inquiry Possible
on Basis of Evidence Now
Available.
BY REX COLLIER.

Documentary evidence which Frank
E. Speicher, new-found witness in the
investigation of War Department con-
tracts, has declared will support his
version of alleged improper liaison be-
tween lobbyists and some Army Of
flcers was in possession of House
Military Affairs Subcommittee today.
A suitcase full of documents-de-
Scribed by one official as possible
dynamite obtained from Speich-
er Monday night by agents for the
committee who visited the apartment
of the mystery witness"
The papers are being examined
carefully by committee members and
who already have heard
from Speicher startling story of lob
bying as it existed at the War De-
partment prior to grand jury inves-
tigation early this year.
Makes Third Appearance.
Speicher made his third appear
ance in as many days before the House
investigating group today in executive
session. He is appearing voluntarily.
following a long search for him by
Department of Justice agents. Lo-
Gated in New York City. he gave Fed
eral officers a 50-page statement.
copies of which we're supplied United
States Attorney Leslie c. Garnett and
Chairman McSwain of the House Mil
itary Affairs Committee.
Because of the possibility that an
other grand jury investigation of Army
business dealings may result from
Speicher's testimony and documents,
Garnett again delegated Assistant
United States Attorney Allen j. Kreuse
to sit with the House group in its
closed hearing today
Speicher's statements. made in ad-
vance of the hearing, are said to have
reflected on high officer of the Army
an executive Of an automobile COM
pany and other persons engaged in
business negotiations at the War De-
partment.
Gives Document Proof.
officials are understood to have said
that if documentary proof of some of
Speicher's assertions could be obtained
of the grand jury investiga-
tion Of alleged irregularities in War
Department contract dealings would
be ordered. Speicher is said to have
promised to produce the written evi-
dence and the suitcase full of docu-
ments was received by the committee
in fulfillment Of the promise.
To what extent the papers corrob-
70 1t
be learned today. Names Of a number
Of prominent persons are said to ap-
pear in letters and memorandums
negotiations for Army con-
tracts.
Committee members said it will re-
quire several more days to peruse the
documents and complete the taking of
testimony from Speicher, who is de-
scribed as sales representative for a
leak-proof tire concern and a truck
body company.
If the nature of the testimony and
written evidence warrants, the docu-
evidence and a transcript Of
5peicher's oral testimony will be turned
over to Krouse for delivery to Garnett
with view to presentation to the
grand jury.
The previous grand jury inquiry
ended in no indictments, but the jurors
severely condemned lobbying condi-
tions at the War Department in a
special report to President Roosevelt
and Secretary Of War Dern. Speicher
could not be located in time to testify
before that jury, although an intensive
search for him was made by Justice
agents.