Evening star., 1934-02-09
MISSING WITNESS
IN PROBE NAMED
Frank Speicher Identified
as Man Sought in Motor
Deal Inquiry.
BY REX COLLIER.

Frank Speicher, said to be a repre-
sentative here of a New York firm
seeking to sell puncture-p proof auto
mobile tubes to the War Department,
was missing witness" widely sought
today by Department of Justice agents
for the Federal grand jury investigat-
ing irregularities alleged in the War
Department $l00O0,000 motorization
program.
Speicher's testimony is desired ur-
gently by the grand jury as an out
growth of information given by r. C..
Remick, another agent of the tube
concern. He disappeared from local
Motel shortly after Remick appeared
before the grand jury, 1t was discov-
ered when efforts were made to sub
poena him.
Testimony Of Speicher IS UNDER
stood to be wanted in connection with
the grand jury's announced inquiry
into alleged lobbying" activities of
Joseph Silverman, jr., New York
trader in surplus war supplies. who
recently is said to have shown inter-
est in the Army plans for motorizing
its unit with Public Works funds.
Seen in New York.
Speicher, Federal authorities were
advised today. was seen in New York
City yesterday, but was absent from
headquarters of the tube firm when
investigators arrived. officials are
known to be concerned over their in
ability to locate this important wit
ness. There were indications, how
ever, that he might be found later
today at New York address.
Speicher and Remick are said to
have been approached in Washington
by a person who claimed he could
induce the War Department to speci-
fy their brand Of puntureproof tubes
as standard equipment for the thou
sands of motor cars and trucks to be
purchased by the Army.
All awards under the motoriZation
program have been held up by order
of President Roosevelt pending q
thorough inquiry into numerous re-
ports that the motor fund was being
preyed upon by lobbyists and alleged
grafters.
Legion Leaders Mentioned.
A group of men prominent. In
American Legion affairs has been in
volved in the grand jury's investiga-
tion and indictments are to be asked
against several of these, it is reported
Assistant Secretary of War Harry
H. WOOdring, whose office passes
finally on specifications and awards
under the motor program. is expected
to be recalled shortly for further
questioning by the grand jury, it de-
veloped today.
In the meantime the jury called a
number of high Army officers con-
nected with the purchase of Army
supplies. Among those questioned to-
day were Col. James X. Grain and
Lieut.. Col Earl North, Army procure
ment officers. attached to the office OF
Assistant Sescretary Woodring Col
Grain is executive officer In Wood
rings Office.
Col Benjamin F. Miller, who passe:
on specifications that come to Wood.
rings Office from Camp Holabird. test
ing ground for motors and trucks. ano
Maj. William B. Hardigg of the Pro-
curement Division, also awaited theil
turn to testify.
Changed Terms Charged.
These procurement officers were tt
be quizZed about allegations by Ger.
tain motor officials that specification:
for motor trucks were changed SO a:
to give preference to competitors
One of these changes is alleged t
have been a provision to change orig.
inal specifications for one group OF
trucks from the So-called splash
feed" type Of fabrication to a force
feed" system and another involved
floating aXles."
War Department authorities have