Evening star., 1935-01-27
COLLISION DENIAL.
OF JOHNSON HIT.
Labor Leader Says Former
N. R. A. Chiefs Memory
Fails Him.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A vigorous denial by ruddy-faced
Hugh S. Johnson that he had known
of alleged collusion among bidders
for naval construction yesterday
brought from the man who first made
the charge word that the former
N. R. A. chiefs memory fails him"
johnson said that if he had known
of any agreement in bids he would
have used the information as a club
to force through the shipbuilders'
code. which was pending at the time.
John P. Frey. president Of the
Metal Trades Department OF the
American Federation of Labor, mean
while reiterated statement that he
had made Friday before the Senate
Munitions Committee that he had
shown johnson sealed envelope which
he said was turned over to him by
Lawrence Wilder. former head of the
New York Shipbuilding Co. Frey said
the letter contained names OF the low
bidders for the naval program.
Il don't like to find myself in di-
rect opposition with him." Frey said
of JohnSon's testimony yesterday.
but if his memory fails him. mine is
very clear and definite about the
matter
May Face Committee.
johnson told House members that
perhaps he should go before the Sem
ate Munitions Committee to catch
the dead cat thrown at me-" He
added that Frey told him over the
telephone yesterday morning he was
willing to go before the Senate in
quirerS again and refute published
reports of what he had said.
He said, however. that at the time
he talked with Frey he was working
Is hours or more day and that it
might be understandable If he failed
to recall the entire conversation be-
tween them.
After being advised Of JohnSon's
testimony. the labor official again
quoted the general as saying with re-
spect to the collusion evidence:
THAT is too hot for me. I am not
going to have anything to do with it.
I have troubles enough of my own"
The facts are as I stated them at
the hearing yesterday" Frey said. II
can't help about testimony of anybody
else. just my own"
In his testimony before the House
Military Committee. johnson, who
worked out the conscription plan
which drafted manpower for the World
War. said Government operation Of
industry in war time would be imprac-
ticable, but that Government control
would be desirable.
Early Approval Seen.
He was testifying on the McSwain
measure to take the profits out of
war. He said profiteering should be
removed from war wherever 1t could
be done. Chairman McSwain, Demo-
crat. Of South Carolina said the COM
mittee probably would approve the
bill early this week.
In its final form, he added, the
probably would include pro-
vision for taxing away excess profits.
by johnson yesterday
and by Bernard M. Baruch Friday.
The McSwain measure seeks to ac-
this fixing prices in time of
war and by drafting all needed re-
sources. human and material, into the
armed forces.
Hearings are to be completed Tues |
day, with Secretary Dern and As
sistant Secretary Woodring yet to
testify.
Meanwhile, the Senate Munitions
Committee called of its scheduled trip |
20 New Jersey to question witness |
n its investigation Of asserted collu-
sion by shipbuilders on naval con-
when it was informed the
witness, Ernest I. CornbrookS, would
,ome to Washington this week.
johnson said the McSwain bill would
stimulate other Nations to similar
lction, and thus remove in them the
profit incentive to war. He added
that 1t would serve internationally
Is a deterrent to war.
johnson recommended that wages
md salaries be fixed the same as
,ther prices in time of war, that sup
,lies of essential materials not avail
lble in the United States be stored up,
md that the Army be increased,