Evening star., 1936-05-26
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

Representative McGroarty, poet
laureate of California and Townsend
standard-bearer in Congress today
told the House committee investigat-
ing old-age pensions that he never
saw penny of Townsend funds and
had no knowledge of financial prac-
tices of the peusion organization.
McGroarty, gray-haired little
man, was called before the committee
in a surprise move following a brief
executive session. No announcement
was made of any decision about citing
Or. F. E. Townsend, founder of old
age Revolving Pensions, Ltd, for con-
tempt
AS the committee convened in open
session, Chairman Bell called for
John Kiefer and Rev. Clinton
wunder, O. A. r. P. directors, who
are under subpoena. Neither an
swered.
Questioned Courte0usly.
McGroarty. who was questioned
courteously by members of the COM
mittee, voiced a defense for the sin
cerity of R. E. Clements, retired CO.
founder of the movement, but admit
ted Chairman Bells allegations that
DR.. Townsend made no real effort to
force support for the McGroarty bill
only Townsend bill IN Congress.
IT have 10 personal, political am
bitions of any kind" McGroarty said.
IT wouldn't be President of the United
States if it were handed to me on a
silver platter"
The remark was made when Repre-
sentative Hoffman asked if DR.. Town.
send were correct in charging the
Congressman with political ambitions.
Later. McGroarty said he would ad-
wise all Townsend clubs to continue
their membership. but would advise
against any solicitation of funds as
being unnecessary.
Letter From Clements.
In contrast to McGroartys defense
OF, Clements, Representative Hoffman
read a letter from Clements to DR..
Clinton Wunder warning against the
congressman's double e-dealings" and
saying that Townsendites would have
to take McGroarty to task.
McGroarty said he didn't know
what Clements mean but he supposed
he might have been little "sus-
p;cious."
McGroarty and Townsend broke
several weeks ago, when the doctor
attacked the congressman for having
presidential aspirations"
Bell opened the meeting:
"Is John Kiefer here?
els the Rev. Clinton Wunder here?"
There was no answer. Representa-
tives Collins and Lucas each made
the point that subpoenas had been
served on the two for appearance to-
day.
With Chairman Bell handling the
questioning, McGroerty was identified
and his early background as an attor-
ney and newspaper man established.
The Representative told of writing
poetry, plays and books in addition
to his newspaper writing.
McGroarty admitted this to be his
first term and II hope my last"
The Congressman said he had re-
fused to take a fee for speaking at a
Townsend meeting on the West Coast,
where collections amounted to at least
$500.
Il worked for this plan because I
believe in it, and because I was in
tensely eager to secure pensions for the
old people" McGroarty said fervently.
Impression of Committee.
McGroarty then admitted that
members of the congressional COM
mittee OF the Townsend organization
made it clear they believed the doc
tor was not really desirous of having
the bill passed as long as it served to
attract revenue TO him.
IT don't make that as my state
ment," McGroarty said, "but it GER
tainly was the impression these others
had"
IT have been informed" he said,
"that DR.. Townsend contemplates q
new bill to displace the McGroarty
bill in the Seventy-fifth Congress"
He has studied, he said, new plan
by Sheridan Downey, approved by
the doctor, which contemplates a
bond issue rather than a tax.
Meanwhile, the air remained thick
with statements as the Townsend
forces issued two for one and con-
tinued to steal the play from the COM
mittee.
Latest pronouncement was rebuke
to James r. Sullivan, committee coun-
sci, from Downey. After describing