Evening star., 1939-06-01
Vote
Given Randolph
By Committee
House D. 6. Body
Hopes Chuirmun
Will Keep Post
By JAMES F. CHINN.

The House DiAtrict Committee,
with IA of its 81 members present,
today gave Chairman Randolph a
unanimous vote of confidence and
expressed the hope he would con-
tinue to serve as its leader.
Monday in Charleston, w. Va,
Mr.. Randolph announced his in
tention to resign both as chairman
and as a member of the committee
at the close of the milk investiga-
ton. Last night, however, after
conferences with Speaker Bank
head and Chairman Bates of the
Milk Investigating Committee. he
issued statement announcing his
intention to remain at the head of
the committee.
Representative Kennedy, Demo-
crat, of Maryland, ranking majority
member of the committee, made the
motion that Representative Ran
dolph be given vote of confidence
''in view of recent happenings
No man in my judgment has
worked harder or fairer for the peo-
pie of the District than Mr.. Ran
dolph,' he said. Il feel we ought
to pass a resolution expressing the
view that this committee has full
confidence in our chairman and that
he continue to serve as chairman of
this important committee.
Spectators Applaud.
Some of the spectators in the
committee room applauded, and
Representative Dirksen, Republican,
of Illinois, ranking minority men,
ber, said:
You know, Mr. Randolph, I've
never doubted your integrity or your
capacity"
After the statement of Mr. Dirk
sen, Representative Seccombe, Re-
publican, of Ohio remarked:
Il wonder if it would be safe to
say anything around here if dicta-
phones are to be placed in the
rooms"
Representative Nichols, Democrat,
of Oklahoma, who arrived after the
vote of confidence had been given,
remarked, when informed of the
committee action:
Il would like to make a speech
on the confidence I have in the
chairman"
After the vote Of confidence, Mr..
Randolph said:
Il deeply and sincerely appreciate
the action of the committee"
Randolph's Statement.
Mr.. Randolph's statement of last
night follows:
Due to certain comments and
developments relative to the milk
inquiry and other matters before
the District Committee which took
place during my absence from the
city, most emphatically state to
the public that will not entertain
for single moment thought of
resignation as chairman of the Dis
trict Committee. I will in the fu-
ture as in the past continue to
honestly discharge the duties of this
Office"
The statement was sent to news
paper men in the House press gal
lery by Miss Winifred Crosby, clerk
of the House District Committee
Mr.. Randolph declined to amplify
it, except to indicate he had right
to change his mind.
Decide to Hear ROmney.
Representative Bates said fol-
lowing a conference with Speaker
Bankhead, he would ask Mr.. Rom
ney to testify. Mr.. Romney, it is
understood, told the speaker he had
evidence the room used as the milk
investigating headquarters had been
wired" And the speaker, at his
daily press conference, declared no
authorization had been issued by
the Capitol police board to wire"
the room
Mr.. Romney said he would be
glad" to appear before the COM
mittee
Mr.. Bates declared the only places
that had been wired" during the
investigation were rooms IN two
downtown hotels and the office of
B. B. Derrick, secretary manager
of the Maryland- Virginia Milk Pro-
ducers' Association, who gave his
consent to the use of dictaphone
for the purpose of picking up the
conversations of suspected lobbyists.
Denial that any agent of the Dis
trict government undertook to
wire any Office on Capitol Hill for
dictaphone or dictagraph was made
today by Corporation Counsel Ell
wood Seal, after he had conferred
with Police Supt. Ernest W. Brown.
For some weeks Mr.. Seal has been
cooperating with Chairman Bates
Of the special House Milk Investi-
eating Committee. Mr.. Seal said:
Il can say that no agent of the
District government has attempted
to wire or has wired any Office in
the House Office Building or other
quarters at the Capitol. I never
heard of any such plan, and I am
sure it was not done"
Brown Lacks knowledge.
Maj. Brown said yesterday that he
knew nothing of the installation of
photographs in the office of any
member of Congress.
Maj. Brown said he had assigned
two men to aid the Investigating
(See MILK, Page A-5D