Evening star., 1935-05-20
HIGH j. 5. OFFICER
TRIED SECRETLY
Army Official Is Reported
Accused of Accepting
Lobbyists Favor.
BY REX COLLIER.

Shielding the proceedings with
extraordinary secrecy, the War De-
partment today was conducting behind
closed doors at the Army War College
reservation an important court mar
tial, reported to be that of general
officer accused of accepting favor
from lobbyist.
Although officials of the department
refused to confirm or deny that the
trial was being held, attaches at the
post admitted high officer was being
tried before a military court assembled
on the second floor of the Officers
Club at Washington Barricks.
The court, upon meeting this morn
ing. voted to close the proceedings to
press and public, The Stars repre-
sentative was advised, when he sought
admission to the trial.
Civilian Dress Ordered.
1t was learned that the high-rank
ing officers composing the court were
instructed to appear in civilian clothes,
so as not to attract undue attention.
Courts usually call for mill
tary uniforms, with sidearms, it is
said.
The charges against the officer are
understood to be the outgrowth of an
investigation by the Inspector Gen.
eral of the Army upon order of Secre-
tary of War Dern, who acted after re-
ceiving from the House Committee on
Military Affairs evidence purportedly
linking the officer with a salesman
lobbyist whose activities were investi-
gated by the committee and the De-
partment of Justice.
The accusations are said to involve
a $4,000 loan made by the salesman
to the Army officer prior to an inquiry
by the District grand jury into lob
bying conditions at the War Depart
ment. The salesman was to have
been questioned by the grand jury, but
he disappeared before he could be
served with a subpoena. more than
year ago.
The loan was the subject of renewed
investigation by the House committee
last December. when the missing wit
ness was located in New York by De-
partment of Justice agents. The sales
man agreed voluntarily to come here
and he testified at length behind
closed doors.
During the hearing two represent
atives of the committee brought from
the salesman's hotel room small
black satchel which members of the
committee said contained dynamite"
in documentary form. The witness Is
said to have unfolded lurid story OF
lobbying as practiced at the War De-
partment by "high-pressure" statesmen
and self-styled friends" of high Off
cialS.
As one result O. the lobbying testi-
mony given to the committee, Secre-
tary Dern recently administered
deepest censure" to Col. Joseph l.
McMullen. chief of the patents sec
ton of the judge advocate generals
Office, who was accused of accepting
fees from firms doing business with
the Army. 1t is known that Col. NC
Mullen is not the officer on trial
today.
Committee Hits Loans"
In a report to the House several
months ago the committee criticized
"loans or gifts" to at least two War
Department officials in high positions"
and declared:
Lobbyists were employed by man
ufacturers almost solely by reason OF
their supposed ability to make special
contacts with Government officials
and to secure special consideration
or advance information for their en-
ployers -.
1T is undeniable that corrupt busi-
mes agents have sought and obtained
special consideration and information
from dishonest and weak Government
officials -. Such improper and un-
due influence is actually exerted in
relatively few cases."