Evening star., 1943-05-05

papers, Mr.. Monroe's statement said,
the public may have gained the
impression that he procured con-
tracts for war materials from the
War Department. Such a belief,
he said, is absolutely untrue.
Asked why he came to Washing
ton, Mr.. Monroe explained he did
so primarily to get into "the war
service" He pointed out he was
once a cadet at West Point.
Failing to get back into the mill
tary service, Mr.. Monroe explained,
he then became "a manufacturers
representative" He pointed out that
all the money he made in Washing
ton was spent here in the interest
of the war effort"
He further explained that his gross
earning since he has been In Wash
ington has been less than $4,000.
Mr.. Monroe also declared he felt
he could help the war effort and
his services to the country by some
of his other activities, which in
cluded the studying of the various
war agencies and making the knowl-
edge he had gained from such
studies available to those agencies.
He said he made these studies as
IAN avocation."
Chairman May asked Mr. Monroe
when he had his name changed. The
witness said ne thought it was
around 1910" and it was done in
Florida. Committee Counsel Burton
asked him If the date when his
name was changed was June 3, 1940
Mr.. Monroe admitted that date was
correct.
Served in Specialist Corps.
In response to other questions Mr..
Monroe also said he had been a
student at West Point but did not
graduate. He said after attending
West Point he had served in the
Specialist Reserve Corps of the Army
on active duty. Mr.. Burton then
asked Mr.. Monroe if he had ever
been associated with Norman T..
Bowles. He said he had, but that
was many years ago."
Mr.. Burton pressed the witness
for more complete explanation. He
asked Mr.. Monroe if Mr.. Bowles had
any connection with a manufac-
turing firm in Pawtucket, r. I. The
name of the firm was first brought
before the investigating subcom-
mittee last week by Albert Bennett
Fey, former contract representa-
tive who disclosed also while on the
witness stand that he had been a
guest at one of the dinner parties
at 210l r street land had paid Mrs.
Smith, $4,000 for her assistance to
him in research" work.
Mr.. Monroe finally recalled some
OF the details about his alleged con-
nection with Mr.. Bowles. He said
he had caused Bowles' arrest in
New York some years ago because
he believed he had misappropriated
funds of some sort"
Mr.. Burton continued to press Mr..
Monroe for additional information
about his relations with Mr.. Bowles.
Has that got anything to do with
the war effort?" the witness re-
sponded.
Finally Mr.. Monroe said Mr..
Bowles had borrowed some stock"
from a concern he represented and
never paid for it. And" he added,
I'VE tried to have him placed in jail"
Legal Residence in Florida.
Further questioning of Mr.. Monroe
developed that his legal residence" !"
as he put it, is In Jacksonville, Fla.
He testified that the house, on
which the District Rent Control
Commission fixed a ceiling of $500
a month, with furnishings thrown
in, was leased by Mrs. Smith.
At that point Mr.. Burton inquired
about Mrs. Smith in this way
What does she do?"
Il would rather have her answer
that question" Mr.. Monroe replied.
Mr.. Burton followed with an in
quiry as to what specific business
Mr.. Monroe is engaged in. Il am
a manufacturing representative
sir" the witness responded.
Next Mr.. Monroe was asked about
his alleged relations with, the Per-
kins' Foundation, Inc. He testified
the foundation was organized to
represent small business firms, u
and at the time it was founded he
was Its vice president. He said he
became president of the firm later
but emphasized it is now out of
business" Mr.. Monroe said he did
not recall the capitalization of the
firm and he did not own all of its
stock. He admitted, however, that
Mrs, Smith was an officer in the con-
corn during its last few months"
| Asked About Business.
What business are you in?" Mr..
Burton asked.
Il endeavor to obtain things" !"
Mr.. Monroe answered.
Mr.. Monroe then disclosed that
cEe Of his business efforts in WASH
ington was to get a contract from
the Navy Department for q firm
that in prewar days made high
class racing boats, some of which
had been entered in the almost for
COTTON Upton yacht races.
The contract Mr.. Monroe recalled
was finally awarded to a trawler
company he represented after much
difficulty. He said the president of
the company tried every means to
| get the contract and as last resort
appealed to him to do the "unsur-
mountable."
Mr.. Monroe testified that in an
effort to get the contract he talked
to every one at the Navy Depart
ment, from the admiral to the little
boy at the door," He also said that
he must have worn out some Of the
"inoleum" In the Navy Depart
ment.
| Mr.. Monroe said that the con-
tract was finally awarded to the
hrm he represented after be had