Evening star., 1944-10-17
Public Hearing Asked
By Both Sides in
Battle Of StatIer'


A public airing of the circum.
stances surrounding the battle oi
The Statler" was asked today by at.
torneys representing parties on both
sides in the now famous clash.
Thomas C. Bradley, attorney fo,
1t. Comdr. James E. Suddeth ano
1t. Randolph Dickins, said he saw
mo escape from the committee s
holding full and complete hearings
The affair is being investigated by
the Senate Committee on Campaign
Expenditures, headed by Chairman
Green. -
After what has happened, ]
don't see how the committee can
refuse to hold open hearings in the
matter" Mr.. Bradley said. He ex-
planned he was referring to the
fact that widespread publicity had
been given to the acquisition of nu-
merous affidavits by the committee
and by representatives of the Team
sters Union. some of whose mem
bers were allegedly involved in the
fight.
Mr. Bradley also denied report
that Cofndr. Gene Tunney, former
worlds heavyweight champion, had
an appointment to meet Comdr
Suddeth and 1t. Dickens and that
he missed the fracas because he was
late. According to Mr. Bradley, who
said he talked to Comdr. Tunney by
telephone at his home in Stamford,
Conn, the former champion denied
knowing the other two officers.
Comdr, Suddeth and Lit. Dickens
also said they do not know Comdr.
Tunney.
Wants Affidavits Published.
At the same time, Joseph A. Pad
way, general counsel for the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, demanded
that the Green Committee reveal
the contents of the aff1davits by
members of the union after they
were approached by committee in
vestigators.
Senator Green last Saturday re-
fused to divulge the contents of
these statements or to say who
signed them. but it was known that
investigators had been to New York
earlier in the week to talk to Off
cials of the Transfers Union.
Two other affidavits, repeatedly
signed by the wife of a union off,
cial and another woman employed
by local union. came to light yes
terday, These statements, accord
ing to Mr.. Padway, were brought to
his office voluntarily" and have
been offered to the committee.
Although Mr.. Padway said he
would not let reporters see the afi-
daVits until after they had been
released by the committee. he said
the Women's stories shifted the
blame for the Statler fight to the
officers.
According to Mr. Padway. the
women claimed one of them was ac-
costed in the hotel lobby by one
of the officers who demanded to
know for whom she was going to
vote. When she replied, The Presi-
dent, of course" the officer said ITO
hell with the President" the at
torney related.
Men Join Argument.
A group of men who had just
heard President Roosevelt address
the Teamsters' Union dinner gath
cred during the argument, accord
ing to Mr.. PadWay, and after more
heated exchanges the battle began
Meanwhile, in ST. Paul, Mimi,
Representative Mas, Republican, of
Minnesota charged that smear
tactics were being used against the
two naval officers.
II was informed 10 days ago by
Washington newspapermen that an
attempt would be made to white
wash the affair by smearing these
Navy men,. Representative Mas
said. Il have talked to these Off
GERS personally and am convinced
they were perfectly sober.
Not only did they not start the
fight but they were themselves VIC
TINS Of attacks when they sought to
avoid any argument"
Mr.. Mas is ranking minority
member of the House Naval Affails
Committee.
The Senate Campaign Committee
Is to meet tomorrow, at which time
the Statler incident will be dis
cussed behind closed doors. Senator
Green said he did not know whether
there would be any public hearings
or whether the contents of the affi-
davits would ever be revealed. Sew
eral members of the committee,
however are known to favor open
hearings.