Evening star., 1934-12-07
NYE CHARGES j. s.
ARM|NG WORLD IN
TRADE Of SECRETS
Munitions Probe Chairman
and Vandenberg Say Course
Menaces America.
FIRM HEADS SAY DATA
LEARNED IN 2 YEARS
Ordnance Officer Claims du Pont
Firm More Vital Than Guard.
ing of Information.
By the Associated Press.

Evidence that the War Department
considered it more important for the
du Pont company TO continue pro-
duction of powder than for the Ma
ton to guard military secrets drew
assertions today from members Of the
Senate Munitions Committee that
America was arming the world to It's
own future disadvantage.
The statements. from Chairman
Nye, Republican, of North Dakota and
Senator Vandenberg. Republican, Of
Michigan brought from an official OF
the Gu Pont company, the defense
that no military secrets last more
than two years.
Their assertions were produced by
evidence presented in the hearing
that the War Department urged the
Du Points to continue in the powder
business after the World War
Production More Important.
Vandenberg. who conducted the
questioning in which three Of the
Du Pont family participated from
time to time. introduced a memoran-
DUN from the Du Pont files quoting
Col Ruggles. assistant chief Of ord
nance in the War Department. as say
ing 1t was vastly more important TO
encourage the Du Pont company 10
continue in the manufacture OF pro-
pellants for military use, than to en-
deavor to protect military secrets
Earlier in the session. the du Pont
witnesses vigorously denied intimationS
from the committee that they had i'm
parted military secrets to foreign
manufacturers over the objections OF
the War and Navy Departments.
Documents from the du Pont files
disclosed. however. that some officials
OF the du Pont company were con-
cerned that an agreement between the
du Pont company and Nobel, Ltd Of
London TO exchange processes might
endanger relations with the depart
ments.
Senatorial investigators said they
have evidence that the War Depart
ment permitted American arms makers
TO sell secret processes to foreign gov
ernments.
Some evidence that secrets got to
other countries was presented at hear
ings last Fall. but at that time the
munitions witnesses contended they
never permitted their processes to go
abroad without the consent Of the War
Department, and then only after the
secrets we're already out.
A postwar agreement between the
du Pont Powder Co. and Nobel. Ltd
British munitions company. TO eX
change all patents. including military
secrets, was disclosed at this morning $
hearing.
Explain Approval.
Oficials Of the American company
quickly explained that the agreement
10 give military patents to the British
was dependent upon War Department
approval>-
Under Questioning by Senator Van
denberg Du Pont officials testified
Nobel was granted a non-excluSive
license TO valuable military powder
Improvement in 1923.
Three Of the du Points. Felix, Irenee
stand. together with two of their sub
ordinate officials, K K. V. Casey and
DR.. Fin Spare.
Vandenberg. in opening this phase
OF the inquiry. said it involved the
serious problem of whether the United
States pays for upkeep Of commercial
industry at the expense of military
preparedness Of this country
DR.. Spare explained, speaking with
a decided accent. that the powder de-
velopment was not a secret. He dis
tinguished between military secrets
and patent rights.
Cites Confidential Warning.
Vandenberg, however. referred to
letter from the War Department to
the du Pont company, holding that the
method of manufacturing powder
should be regarded as confidential
military information" A similar let
ter from the Navy also was read by
the Senator.
Vandenberg said the Delaware pow
der company had licensed Nobel to
make powder in 1923 over the objec-
tions of the two departments.
Casey challenged the contention and
was joined by the du Pont officials.
Vandenberg put into the record a
memorandum from Casey to Felix
du Pont in 1924. suggesting it would
Continued on Page 6, Column A.