Evening star., 1936-12-03
Doctor Accused of Refusing
to Testify and BoIting
Senate Inquiry.
WUNDER AND KlEFER
ALSO ARE INDICTED
No Immediate Steps Will Be
Taken to Arrest Trio,
Officials Decide.
BY WILLIAM S. TARVER.

DR.. Francis z. Townsend and two
Of his associates, Dr. Clinton Wunder
Of New York and John B. Kiefer of
Chicago. were indicted today by the
District grand jury, charged with
contempt of the House The charges
are the outgrowth Of an incident last
Spring when the elderly head and
founder of Old Age Revolving Pensions.
Ltd, clapped on his hat and defantly
walked out of a committee hearing.
Wunder and Kiefer, both former
regional directors in the Townsend
organizations, were charged with re-
fusing to appear before the commit
tee investigating old age pension or
ganizations, while Townsend was ac-
cused both of refusing to testify and
Of walking out of the committee room
without permission.
The indictments followed Q long
period of inaction by prosecuting ON
cials. Although the alleged contumscy
was cited to United States Attorney
Leslie c. Garnett six months ago by
the House, no serious effort was made
until after the presidential election
to get the necessary witnesses before
the grand jury. No formal explana-
ton of the delay was advanced, but
it was understood that members Of
Congress desired to have the matter
lie dormant until the campaign was
over.
After conference today between
Garnett and his assistants. Harry L.
Underwood and Charles B. Murray.
who presented the case to the grand
jury, it was decided to take no i'm
mediate steps toward the arrest OF
any of the three indicted.
The oficials said they would COM
municate with former Senstor
Thomas w. Hardwick Of Georgia,
Townsend's attorney, in an effort to
arrange for Townsend's voluntary
surrender.
Meanwhile nothing will be done In
regard to Wunder and Kiefer, since
both have promised 10 come To Wash.
ington whenever their presence Is
desired. Wunder, it was said, is now
in New York and Kiefer In Chicago.
The district attorney did not know
the exact whereabouts Of Townsend.
The penalty on conviction for con-
tempt may be Imprisonment for to
IL months and fine of from 500
to $1,000. Officials expressed the
opinion the punishment must carry
fail sentence. The offense is mis-
demeanor.
The three were charged in separate
indictments, all of which set out In
full the House resolution creating the
investigating committee, which was
headed by Representative Bell. Demo-
crat. Of Missouri.
Indictments Statement.
The Townsend indictment stated a
summons for the physician was IS
sued April 20, commanding him to
appear before the committee May 5.
He was served April 20 by William A.
Weber, deputy sergeant at arms OF
the House. and responded and testi-
fed on diverse dates prior to the 2lst
day of May"
1t was on May 81 that Dr.. Town.
send arose from the witness chair
and, over the protests of Chairman
Bell, read a prepared statement as
serting he considered the inquiry a
persecution of him and his associates
and that he would answer no more
questions.
Thank you. gentlemen. and good
day." he concluded, placing his hat
on his head and walking out the door
as the amazed committee and spec
tators arose in confusion.
The first count of the indictment
charged that he "unlawfully, know
ingly and wilfully and without leave
(see TOWNSEND, Page A-2l