Evening star., 1938-04-20
LOBBY PROBE HIT
AS 'D|SCRACEFUL'
Gerard Accuses Senators of
Trying to 'Besmirch' His
Organization.
By the Associated Press.

| BY the Associated Press.
Sumner Gerard of New York ex-
changed fiery words with Senate lobby
investigators today. terming the con-
duct of their investigation nothing
short of disgraceful"
The white-haired treasurer of the
National Committee to Uphold Consti-
tutional Government leaped to his feet
while testifying before the Senate
Lobby Committee and asserted the IN
vestigation had attempted to be
smirch" his organization.
Chairman Minton broke up the en-
suing confusion by bluntly telling Mr..
Gerard to sit down."
The clash was precipitated when
Senator Schwellenbach. Democrat. -
Washington shouted at the witness
that the national committee had put
in charge of your New York Office a
man who is an eX-convict and then
turned the committees money over to
man you never have seen"
Earlier Mr. Gerard told the COM
mittee he did not have within his
control certain records of his or
ganization called for by a Senate sub
poena.
Takes Exception to Remark.
Until Senator Schwellenbach made
his comment Mr. Gerard maintained
an amiable calm.
Il take exception to that" he
shouted angrily when Mr.. Schwellen-
bach spoke Of an "ex-convict."
You got Mr.. Rumely down here to
smear us" he declared.
(Several weeks ago DR.. Edward
A. Rumely, National Committee
secretary, refused to give records
in response to Senate subpoena.
At that time the Senate commit
tee quizzed him about wartime
conviction under the Trading
With the Enemy Act, from which
he subsequently received presi-
dental pardon)
This country has right to know
the character of this man. Senator
Schwellenbach told the witness.
His character is of the highest and
his patriotism is such that it can't be
attacked" Mr.. Gerard, brother of
James M. Gerard, former Ambassador
to Germany, retorted hotly. I'm
proud to be associated with him."
Senator Schwellenbach asked Mr..
Gerard, who was called to testify at
the lobby committees investigation of
lobbying activities on the defeated
executive reorganization bill, if he
knew that DR.. Rumely received
81 100000 from the German govern
ment during the war and concealed"
that information from the United
States Government
When Mr.. Gerard started to assert
that the jury which indicted Mr..
Rumely later testified that evidence
was suppressed. Senator Schwellen-
bach interrupted to ask if the witness
had read decision of the Circuit
Court Of Appeals.
Mr.. Gerard replied that he had not,
and Senator Schwellenbach said
bluntly, If you haven't read the
decision of the Circuit Court of Ap-
peals, the committee doesn't care to
hear any extraneous matter from
you"
The people are entitled to know
what happened" Mr.. Gerard snapped,
rising to his feet and shaking a fore
finger at Senator Schwellenbach.
Every one of the jurors said that if
evidence had not been suppressed, DR..
Rumely would not have been indicted.
And now you bring this thing up
to discredit us. It's nothing short OF
disgraceful."
Letter Read Into Record.
When MIR. Gerard swung toward the
rear of the room to finish his declara-
ton, Senator Green, Democrat, of
Rhode Island commented acidlv. II
hope the witness will address his re-
marks to the committee and not turn
around and deliver them to the re-
porters"
Il did that out of nervousness" Mr..
Gerard asserted.
Chairman Minton read into the rec
ord copy of letter in which the Or
ganization asked the contributions be
sent to Mr.. Gerard at Z Rochester
address.
Mr.. Gerard said he had no office
at Rochester, that the address given
was that Of the committees account
ant.
When Mr.. Gerard said, Some
checks percolated into my office, "
Chairman Minton and Senator
Schwellenbach insisted bluntly that
he recall the names Of such contribu-
tors. Mr.. Gerard protested but said
he would name the two he could re-
call if the investigators insistedF ?
Telling of contribution by Mrs.
Margaret B. Davis, Mr.. Gerard as
serted, $500 is not enough to cor
r1Int the Senate"