Evening star., 1944-03-07
Daniels Reveals
President Part
In REACase
Says Roosevelt Wos
Not Satisfied With
Slottery's Work

Jonathan Daniels, administra.
tive assistant to the President,
appeared today before the SEN
ate Agriculture subcommittee
investigating the Rural Electri-
f1cation Administration and,
with Mr.. Roosevelt's approval,
told the full story Of his efforts
to persuade Harry Slattery to re-
sign as head OF REA.
Mr.. Daniels testimony followed
his refusal to answer questions last
week and the committees subse-
quent threat to bring contempt pro-
ceedings against him.
After Mr.. Daniels two-hour ap-
pearance before the subcommittee.
Chairman Smith said he was very
well pleased" with the witness
testimony. He said the committee
would decide In an executive seS-
sion tomorrow whether to drop the
contempt citation it had recon-
mended as result Of Mr.. Daniels'
earlier refusal to answer questions.
Post Offered to Norris.
Mr.. Daniels disclosed that:
/. The President had offered the
post Of REA administrator to for-
mer Senator Norris Of Nebraska last
July "a in an effort to straighten
out the situation in that agency.
with the approval Of Mr.. Slattery,
and that Senator Norris had de-
clined.
2. The President had said to him
CMr. Daniels) that Harry Slattery
was an old friend, but that he
did not think he was doing well a
REA administrator and that he
would like to see him in some other
job"
3. With the assistance Of Assist.
ant Secretary of State A. A. Berle.
1r.. and the approval Of Secretary
OF State Hull a position abroad was
found and offered to Mr.. Slattery,
but that Mr.. Slattery declined It.
Denies Political Intent.
4. He (Mr. Daniels) had never
discussed with any. one whether the
REA could be used politically, or
used to advance fourth-term drive
for the President.
5. Mr.. Daniels had never received
suggestion that he do something
to prevent congressional invests
cation Of REA. That his work for
the President on the REA had
merely been to bring about better
administration.
6. There never was any effort to
get Mr.. Slattery out of the coun-
ltry-so that he would be unable to
testify-as he has-before the Sen.
ate committee.
7. In recommending the resifna.
ton of Mr.. Slattery. he (Mr. Dam
iels) felt the successful operation
Of the REA was more important
than any individual-though he
sympathized with Mr.. Slattery's re.
luctance to resign under attack.
Committee Asks File.
At the conclusion Of his testi-
mony Mr.. Daniels was asked to
produce the file growing out OF his
investigation of the REA.
He replied:
THE file Is the Presidents. II
the committee wishes the file it
would be proper to direct request
to the President"
II thought you might take the
matter up with the President" said
Carroll Beedy, committee counsel.
That would be a polite way Of
handling the matter"
Mr.. Daniels replied he had OBJ
tanned the consent of the President
to appear and testify regarding tho
REA, but that turning over files
in the White House containing let
ters and records was another thing.
IF you object to asking the Presi-
dent for the file to give to the
committee" said Mr.. Beedy, then
we will ask the President for It,"
Case Came Up Last July.
Mr.. Beedy continued to press Mr..
Daniels to serve the committee "in
the public interest" by taking the
matter up with the President. Mr..
Daniels said he would think the
matter over and notify the commit
tee, but he made no promise.
According to Mr.. Daniels, the
President first mentioned the REA
See nANTETC g po0e ~