The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-07
D. Daniels
 Answers Now
Q. 6. Navy photo from NEA
By GLEN BAYLESS United PPAaa EkaR (I0FPeanAnaAnNl

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 Washington, March 7- (UP) - Replying to questions he had refus- ed to answer late week, Presidential Assistant Jonathan Daniels con. firmed today that he had suggested last summer that Administrator Harry Slattery of the Rural Flee. triflcatlon Administration resign and take another government posi- ton.
 DanIe'E testified before Senate Agriculture subcimmittee, which voted last week to have him cited for contempt.
 He said President Roosevelt had instructed him to look into diff. culties" of REA and suggest "a way out"
 MT. Roosevelt called Daniels aside after 0 press conference last July 9, and told him he had received letter from Slattery, Daniels related. The President said things were not going too well, that he knew Slat- tery had been Ill, and asked Dan- iels to Hook into the whole matter mad see what could be done," Dan. ielS added.
 T saw Slattery on the l6th and i7th of July" Daniels said. we discussed the situation and I told him that in my judgment, 1t would be better if he took another posi-. ton in the government"
 Slattery had testified that Dam icls on three occasions sought his resignation, but he had refused to step out while under fire" Slat- tery charged that the National Rural Electric Cooperative Associa. ton and Cow College Politicians" in the Agriculture deprtment were seeking his removal.
 Subcommittee Daniels told the subcommittee that slattery himself suggested that some change might be necessary in Req, and had told the President he was a good soldier" who would fol- low orders. Slattery also suggested that Req be transferred from the agriculture department to the Ten nessee Vally authority, Daniels said.
 Daniels testified that he had dis cusSed Req troubles with Secretary of Agriculture Claude R. Wickard and that Wickard expressed his doubts of the administrative capac- ity at that time of Slattery."
 Wickard reviewed the history of Req and Slattery, Daniels testified, and "Said he felt he had informa- ton on which to base his doubts"
 "There were difficulties in morale, dissension within the organization 1t was a highly complicated story Of difficulties the Req had experience cd" Daniels told the subcommittee.
 Daniels originally refused to testi. fy on the grounds that he could not discuss matters of confidence be. tween him and the President. His chaneg of mind, following a confer ence with the President, delayed test as to whether executive off, cials can refuse with iripunity to testify before a congressional com mittee.
 The Issue may arise again when the committee recalls Wickard, who had refused to testify on the same grounds. It appeared probable, how ever, that Wickard would follow Daniels suit.
 The desire for a clear cut decision on the power of congressional com- mittees to force confidential" tn- formation from executive officials was heightened by the fact that both sides in the present dispute have firm but opposing views.
 Committee counsel Carroll Beedy said the committee was within It's legal rights in asking the informa- ton; a justice department spokes- man said Daniels and Wickard were justified in refusing and felt the courts would uphold them.