Evening star., 1938-01-17
Wire-Tapping
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1ckes had ever ordered any such in.
veetiea tions. Replying specifically to
the rumor Mr.. McCarran had received
about his own office. Mr.. CLAWS de-
clsred he knew of no such investiga :
ton and added he had always had CO.
opera ton from Senator McCarran.
Burlew Requested None.
With regard to wire-tapping in the
Interior Department. Mr.. CLAWS read
prepared statement in which he de-
clared his division had encountered
some difficulty at one time in COM
pleting certain inquiries in which en-
ployes were suspected of COM
municating with outside sources. He
said he discussed the question with
the Secretary and that attachments
were made to suspected telephones
and. as result. some employees we're
cleared Of suspicion and certain others
were let out. He upheld the method
public interest and to protect the de-
partment work.
AS to Mr.. Burlew. ! have no knowl-
edge that he was informed Of these
telephone connections" Mr.. CLAWS
testified.
In response to question by Senator
eteiwer, Republican, of Oregon, Mr..
CLAWS said he did not think "Mr.
Burlew ever requested telephone at
tachment be made"
Senator Steiwer wanted to know II
telephone conversation between the
department and the White House had
ever been listened to.
The witness said he did not know of
any. adding that attachments We're
only made to certain telephones and
that. Of course, any calls on those
phones we're intercepted.
Senator Steiwer said there We're re-
ports going around that the President
had requested the tapping be discon-
tinued. Mr.. CLAWS said he knew
nothing about that
1t was reiterated at this point in
the testimony that Mr.. Burlew did
not avail himself of overlapping.
BurIey Felt Hostile.
Mr.. CLAWS told the committee his
statement defending and outlining
the reasons for checking on telephones
In the department was at his own
suggestion and that he had not talked
with Secretary 1ckes or Mr.. Burlew
since arriving from New York for the
hearing.
Senator Pittman, Democrat, of
Nevada, read from the record of last
weeks hearing testimony Of Mr..
Burlew 10 the effect that Mr.. CLAWS
ONCE had investigated him (Burlew)
for about three months, and also that
Mr. CLAWS had made it a rule to sub
NIT only favorable reports of investi-
cations through Mr. Burlews office,
sending all adverse reports direct to
the Secretary because Mr.. CLAWS
thought Mr.. Burlew was not in SYM
pathy with his work.
We'll. I think he is a little mis-
taken about some of the things stated
here, but I do not care about COM
n1enting on It," Mr. CLAWS replied.
Asked by member of the commit
Ne II he had received proper support
IN carrying on the work of the inves-
tigating division, Mr.. CLAWS answered:
Had 500 Investigators.
"On the whole, yes. We disagreed
on some cases.
Pressed by Senator Steiwer as to
whether those disagreements were
with Mr.. Burlew, Mr.. CLAWS replied
they were not. as he was solely re-
sponsible to the Secretary He added
that I'VE were working under pressure.
and 1t was natural we would have
some disagreements" He explained
that at one time during the emergency
program his investigating unit had
supervision over the Interior Depart
ment, the oil law administration and
the public works program and that at
one time it required as many as 600
employees.
The committee completed its ex-
animation of Mr.. CLAWS and recessed
until tomorrow morning. Earlier at
today's hearing committee members
sought further information on book
keeping details of how the Govern
ment Is said to have lost more than
$4,000 through the alleged setting up
Of . dummy c. c. G. camp by former
employees Of the Interior Department.
Reno Stitely, former Park Service
employe. pleaded guilty in District
Court recently to charges growing out
Of this incident.