Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-14
Official Of Union Held
In Contempt Of Court
In Naval Base Probe
Grand Jury Indiets Nine,
Continues Investigation
Of Merchandising Depot

construction OF the SAC, 100000 naval
supply base at nearby Mechanics
burg.
The action by Judge Albert w.
johnson came on presentment by
the jury yesterday when 1t handed
up six indictments against nine CT
villains in connection with the in
quiry. Charges in the indictments
included bribery, conspiracy to de-
fraud, theft and extortion.
The union official, Jasper White
of Philadelphia, assistant business
agent of Local $40, International
Union Of Operating Engineers
(AFL, refused to turn over union
records on his contention that he
might incriminate himself and his
organization.
Appeal Planned.
Defense Attorney Robert Fitzsim-
mons announced an appeal would be
taken to the Third Circuit Court Of
Appeals Immediately. Judge john
son ordered release of Mr.. White on
bail of 500 pending outcome Of the
appeal
The jury presentment charged Mr..
Whites conduct and attitude was
such to hinder and prevent the in
vestigation and "obstruct due process
Of the Federal Court"
Allen A. Dobey, special assistant
to Attorney General Biddle. said
the jury would be in session several
months.
The men indicted late yesterday
all civilians, included contractors
executives and employees and a con-
struction equipment inspector for
the Navy. Mr.. Dobey said the Gov
eminent losses charged could not
be estimated.
The alleged crimes were rela-
lively minor, in a number of in
stances involving accusations of
thefts Of property valued at less
than $50.
1t was in connection with this in
vestigation that United States Com
missioner Sidney Friedman charged
here that the inquiry had been ham,
strung by Washington officials Mr..
Biddle denied the charge and de-
scribed them as the irresponsible
statements of an uninformed minor
of1lcial.'
Charges Called Untrue.
Mr.. Friedman was called before
the jury to explain his charges, and
December 10 the jury reported to
Federal Judge Albert L. Watson
that his allegations were untrue
and without any foundation in
fact"
One indictment charged Paul
Lewis Schlintz, Guy Rupp, Walter
H. Shaull and William J. Willard
with conspiracy to defraud the
United States under law which
carries maximum penalty of two
years in prison and $4,000 fine.
Mr.. Schlintz was described as the
equipment rental supervisor and
assistant purchasing agent at the
project for Brann d Stuart, Inc,
Philadelphia, the prime contractors;
Mr.. Rupp and Mr.. Shaull as a part
nership known as the Central Trac-
tor 81 Equipment Co., Lemoyne. Pa,
and Mr.. Willard as a salesman for
Central Tractor.
The indictment alleged that Mr..
Schlintz recommended the purchase
Of heavy construction equipment
without disclosing necessary factors
to be considered and was to receive
3 per cent Of the total net price of
purchase contracts awarded to Cen
trail at the project. Mr.. Schlintz
was said in the indictment to have
received $500 from the other three
under the agreement
False Bidding Charged.
The second indictment charged
Theodore Roosevelt Potts, second
vice president of Brann e. Stuart,
and three, alleged o-conspirators,
who were not named defendants,
with consniring to defraud the Gov
eminent by submitting false, fraud
ulent and collusive bids on subcon-
tracts
Named as co-conspirators were
Claude Robertson, operator of a rid
ing stable at Princeton, N. j.; Jack
Spencer, Trenton. N. j.. and Howard
Buckalew. Hamilton Square, N. J.
They were alleged to have colluded
on contracts for the hiring Of riding
horses at fredericksburg. 1t was
charged that Mr.. Robertson agreed
to pay Mr.. Potts $1,000 on a sub
contract of $4,000 for the rental
Of horses
A third indictment in three counts
charged Thomas Barrett, a master
mechanic. with violating the anti
kickback statute. The charge carries
\ penalty on conviction of five years
in prison and $1,000 fine.
A fourth indictment charged Gill
bert H. Flail, civilian construction
equipment inspector for the Navy,
with seeking a bride in violation of
a statute which provides a maxi
mum penalty of three years in
prison and a fine determined by the
amount involved in the bride.
Named as Petty Thieves.
A fifth indictment in two counts
charged Charles Hartline and
Thomas Barrett with petty thefts
of property The law provides
penalty of five years and $1,000 fine
on conviction.
A sixth indictment in IL counts
charges Martin Hess Rutt, jr. with
petty thefts of Federal property at
the project. The maximum penalty
in some cases could be 10 years
Imprisonment and $4,000 fine.
The supply depot. located $50
miles inland and IL miles from
Harrisburg, is the chief supply base
for ships operating on the East
Coast and also for material de-
signed for overseas shipment. The
800-acre plant was built by civilian
contractors and was turned over to
the Navy October l.