The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-23
TOWNSEND PROBE MAY
BE OPENED WITH INDIANA:
I'D. R. DEFENDS POLICIES
Borah Candidacy Endorsed
by Doctor on Eve of
Investigation.
SET THURSDAY HEARING
Custer of HooSier Manager
Interests Chairman of
House Committee.
BY DANIEL NJ. KIDNEY
Times stan Writer

Times stan Writer
WASHINGTON, March %.
Indiana may be the first state
selected for study of the in-
ner workings of OARP. Inc.
the official Townsend old-age
pension movement, it was
learned today.
For the bipartisan House COM
mittee, which was voted $4,000 To
conduct the investigation. already
has some data regarding alleged ir-
regularities in the Townsend or
ganlzation in the Hoosier State.
This information was presented
to Chairman Jasper c. Bell Cd.
Mo- of the committee by one of
the Indiana congressman.
1t is said to involve the custer
of w. S. McClintic as state man.
ager of OARP.
Reported as Interested
Chairman Bell expressed great
interest in the information. and
said that his committee will investi-
gate such things as that is the pur-
pose for which it was created.
First hearings of the committee
are scheduled here Thursday. when
OARP leaders. DR.. F. E. Townsend,
Robert E. Clements and Conner
Smith, are to be heard.
Hearings will open under a House
resolution ordering an investigation
of the Townsend lobbying and
financial methods.
DR.. Townsend was Washington
bound today from the West after
indorsing Senator Borah for Presi-
dent.
Performance Has Been Erratic
DR.. Townsend's pledge to Borah
was revealed last night in Long
Beach, Cal. If the doctor doesn't
change his mind, if he can deliver
his organization and, if Borah ac-
cepts Townsend's aid in good spirit,
the Long Beach statement may
prove to have great political inn
portance. But Townsend's past per-
Torrance has been politically err
ratio. BY this time next week he
may decide to oppose Borah and
support some other.
Townsend's Borah announcement
explained that there would be no
third party or separate slate of con-
gressional candidates supported by
OARP, Inc, this year. In the con-
gressional districts the Townsendites
will follow the proved strategy of
the late Wayne B. Wheeler of the
Anti-Saloon League.
They will support for Congress
candidates who indorse the PEN
sion plans. whether they be Repub-
licans or Democrats. That is what
worries congressional statesmen.
Many of them remember the biting
lash of Wheelers whip.
I'VE are ready for ANYTHING the
committee asks" Mr.. Clements said
mere today. I'VE only hope we get
chance to explain our plan. We've
never been allowed by the House to
do that so far"
Bell Also Ready
Rep. Bell, who sponsored the in
vestlgation and who heads BIZ
partisan inquisitorial committee of
eight House members. was also
ready. The committees counsel.
youthful James R. Sullivan of
Kansas City, and two investigators
have been busy preparing their case.
An auditing firm retained by the
committee has had experts BUSY at
townsend national headquarters
for fortnight, fine combing the
books.
For the defense" the Townsend
ties have their own lawyer. Thomas
W. Hardwick. He is one of Wash
ington's best-known ATTORNEYS.
former Georgia Governor. con-
gresham and United States Sena-
tor
Rep. Bell said today he did not
~" AOhS tiiC ulN6SLlG0IlOn
would take. Many believed it would
require several weeks.
IT will be an investigation. not
a trial. Rep. Bell said. I'VE are
out for the facts. I think l can
promise that some interesting
things will be turned up"
Meantime, the McGroarty bill
embracing the modified Townsend
plan is marking time. It's author
Rep. McGroarty 3D., CALI. is busy
conducting his campaign for Presi-
dent by remote control. He head
a Townsend slate in CALIFORNIA;
Democratic primaries, due Nav 5.
and is urging all Townsend Repub-
llcans to register Democratic in or
der TO vote Townsend" He saws
ne viii win the state delegation by
10000 votes.r
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