The Daily Alaska empire., 1943-03-16

 ullwelcome task when he assumed the prosecution for the committee. He said he didn't think it was a very serious matter But he stated he did not think the two men ac- cused would deny that they had used the office for political pur poses.
 He said that Haas admitted not Keeping records, and that he didn't understand why the Territory had to pay for Federal telegrams. He pointed out that no books were kept of the S3O,000 expenditure by the Department.
 Criticizes Report
 The Attorney General pointed to a discrepancy in Haas report to the Legislature in which he said the Department collected 5000 for workers, when Haas admitted that the Department only mediated in the collections.
 He touched on the matter of large purchases of mimeograph paper prior to election and also at the expenses of the office prior to elections. Roden said that when McCutcheon went to Anchorage last April and made the radio speech the wage claim for which he was supposed to have made the trip already had been settled by mail
 He also questioned A. P. Walkers trip, made when the canneries were closed and said no inspections were made when the canneries were open.
 Mccain produced a receipt by A. r. Walker for paper and envelopes purchased by himself, apparently for political purposes.
 No, Proof
 The Ketchikan Mayor said none of the charges had been supported by proof in the hearing. He said that on the last day when Haas was to leave office he had the records of the Wage Hour Division of the Federal Department of La- bor--tive or six boxes-removed, that they were taken out the win dow to make it easier for the dray- men M R M
 He said this was the source of the charge of removing the De- partment's records.
 Mccain said Sharpe first charged Haas of taking away records, then said he didn't keep any records. He deplored the investigation for causing Haas reputation to be branded all over Alaska and in the States, said Haas should be re- imbursed for the money the in vestigation cost him.
 He said Haas was honest in his interpretation of the duties of the Commissioner, that he was appoint ed and confirmed and it was not the duty of the committee to de- eide whether or not Haas was 2 good commissioner
 Not Told To
 He said concerning the keeping of records that the act laid no such duties out for him.
 Discussing the charge of poli- tics, Mccain said, Tn the name of Heaven, who doesn't play politics. You'll never find an office holder in the world who doesn't unless he's a deaf mute.
 Mccain commended Walker for resigning in April to campaign for election
 He charged that the expenses of the office were misinterpreted by Roden. He. asked the committee to please read the accounts carefully.
 At the end of the arguments, Mc- Cain introduced an affidavit of prejudice by Haas charging tn t Rep. Harvey J. Smith, member of the committee, should be removed on account of prejudice. The charse was supported by an affidavit by Rep. Stanley J. McCutcheon, who said Smith has made the remark, When I'm through with Haas in this investigation he will be all through in Alaska, politically or otherwise"
 Smith remarked, Maybe Haas doesn't like the embarrassing ques- tions ask him"