Evening star., 1936-03-24
AIDE
CALLED IN. PROBE
R. c. Clements, Co.Founder
of Pension Plan, Sum-
moned to Testify.
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

~
Robert E. Clements, co-founder and
national secretary and treasurer of
Old Age Revolving Pensions, Ltd, has
been requested to appear before the
opening session of the House commit
tee investigating old age pension plans,
1t was learned today. The first open
meeting of the investigat ting group is
scheduled for Thursday morning at
1890 o'clock.
Clements, generally credited with
being the business brains behind the
so-called Townsend movement, will be
accompanied to the hearing by former
Senator Thomas w. Hardwick Of
Georgia, counsel for o. A. r. P.
Townsend May Be Called.
DR.. F. E. Townsend, co-founder of
5000 per month old age pension
scheme, is now in Long Beach, Calf.
The committee has not announced
whether the doctor will be summoned
to testify, although it is generally ex-
pected that the No. man of the No.
pension plan will be asked to give his
version Of the organizations opera
tions.
The House committee revealed this
morning that James r. Sullivan. Kan
Sas City attorney, will serve as counsel
of the interrogating group. About 40
years old, Sullivan has been a prac-
ticing attorney in Kansas City for
many years. Several investigators
have been gathering information for
committee use during recent weeks,
and sufficient material for the early
hearings already is on hand, 1t was
said.
| At the Townsend headquarters here
a fine attitude of casual unconcern
was being directed at the investiga-
ton.
I'VE have made no special prepa-
rations here" an official said today.
I'VE have nothing to defend and
nothing to worry about"
Asked If they had engaged special
counsel, an official said they had not:
that former Senator Hardwick is re-
tanned on a yearly basis and that he
will handle the organizations case
without outside assistance.
McGroarty Unconcerned.
On Capitol Hill. Representative Nc
Groarty. California Democrat, also
declined to be concerned over the
matter McGroarty has introduced
legislation embodying essential fea-
tVrac nF tho rToupcopJ rape{ny, y>lap
MY bill cannot be honestly or JUS
tifiably associated with this investi-
CATION" he said this morning. There
is nothing about the proposed legis
lation that warrants investigation. OF
course. II they wish to they may. My
only concern Is that the committee
get under way. l urged that upon
Representative Bell only Yesterday
There is a danger that this bill will
hang on after Congress recesses. That
would not be fair to many of us who
come from a long distance and who
are honestly trying to bring enact
ment Of legislation we feel is desir-
able"
Asked II he expected to testify,
McGroarty continued:
Il have never had any connection
with the business end of the pension
movement. I've never seen a penny
| OF their income. I have nothing to
tell. don't expect a summons from
the committee but am ready to take
the stand If they wish me to-"
The committee, headed by Repre-
sentative Bell, Democrat OF Missouri.
has 10000 available for its inquiry
into ''old-age pension schemes"
Four Democrats and four Republi-
cans are on the committee, the others
being Representatives Tolan, Demo-
crat of California; Collins, Republic
can of California; Lucas, Democrat
Of Illinois; Gavagan, Democrat Of
New York; Hollister. Republican Of
Ohio; Otter, Republican OF Pennsyl-
vania. and Hoffman. Republican Of
Michigan.