Evening star., 1935-02-17
MUNITIONS PROBE
| HALT THEATENED
Democrats Irked by Inquiry
DEPRESSION Into Political
Fund Path.
Ey the Associated Press.

Ey tie Associated Press.
Indications were given yesterday
that Democratic members of the SEN
ate Munitions Committee might vote
to end that inquiry if it continued to
stray into such little matters" as
1882 political campaign correspond
| ence.
One member Of the committee said
he was displeased with introduction
in evidence Friday Of an exchange Of
| political correspondence between A. p.
Homer, Washington marine architect,
who was connected In 1882 with the
Democratic national headquarters, and
George A. Eddy, president of the Goss
Printing Press Co. Of Chicago.
There is growing sentiment not
only among members Of the commit
! tee, but on the floor of the Senate
| against delving into such little mat
ters," the Senator said. They have
little, If any, relationship to the NUM-
tions investigation.
ColIusion Probe Object.
The committee has sought TO learn
whether the shipyards had set up a
system of collusive bidding for distri-
button Of the naval building business
among themselves.
Repeated references have been made
in testimony that Washington con-
| facts" had an influence in obtaining
| shipbuilding contracts. It was TO in
quire whether Homer had employed
such contacts" that he was called
The political correspondence went
into the record during prolonged
questioning of Homer.
| Senator Barbour of New Jersey, one
! of the three Republican members Of
the committee. introduced a letter
dated October l3, 1922, and signed by
Homer asking Eddy for a cam
paign contribution. The letter recited
that in 1918 Mr.. Roosevelt, then AS
Sistant Secretary Of the Navy, rein
stated contract with the Goss Print
ing Co. which had previously been
Cancelled with ending of the war.
Letter Theft Charged.
Homer insisted the letter never was
mailed. but was stolen from his files
by a Republican employe. modi-
fed letter was sent Eddy, he said,
and brought a reply, describing the
request as a fragrant attempt at
political blackmail" The reply was
sent directly to Mr.. Roosevelt during
the presidential campaign.
Homer said he obtained consent OF
| Roosevelt to reply to Eddy. After re-
| calling his efforts. as a wartime Off
| Ger of the Goss Press Co.. to have the
| naval contract reinstated. Homer ac-
cused Eddy in the reply Of an effort
to completely discredit" him, and Of
committing ''one of the most astound-
ing examples of perf1dity that has
ever come to the writer's attention"
A copy of what he said was Eddy'S
! reply was introduced by Homer.
Regret Voiced in Letter.
Dated October "a, 1882. 1t expressed
deep regret" and added:
II must admit your statements as
| absolutely correct. and I am exceed
ingly sorry over the results Of this
affair"
| III went on 10 relate tnat you nave
leak in your (Democratic) organiza-
tion-a copy Of your October Is let
ter to me was received by local Re
publican Committee one day before I
received the same here"
! Heavy pressure was brought to
bear upon me through influential
sources" the Eddy letter continued,
TO forward the reply sent direct to
Mr.. Roosevelt. The Republican Com
mittee wanted to carry this even fur
ther and make a political issue of the
entire matter. but I stopped this dead
in its tracks"