Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-02-05
4 j. Z Z x "a
Senator'S Vote
Closed Hearings
|0n Work Bill
Army Admits Error
On Different Views,
On Job Control
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

The limited national service
bill urged by President Roose-
welt and military leaders re-
ceiyed a setback today when the
Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee voted, IA to 8, to hold closed
hearings that may last a week
or more.
This action came after motion
by Senator Chandler, Democrat, Of
Kentucky to hold open hearings had
been beaten, 9 to Z.
A short time earlier. Senator
johnson, Democrat, of Colorado is
sued a statement saying that Un-
loersecretary of War Patterson called
on him yesterday and admitted that
the War Department made mis-
take" in suggesting any change from
the oficial position it took on the
bill in a letter to the committee
January 20.
Senator johnson charged Satur-
| day night the War Department had
"sabotaged" the measure by pri-
vately advising Senators 1t favors
House provisions leaving admins
tration of the bill un0er selectiye
service, after officially informing the
committee 1t concurred in amend
ments to give War Mobilization Di-
rector Byrnes general control.
johnson Issues Statement.
Before the Military Committee
met this morning, Senator johnson
gave out this statement:
1 Judge Patterson, Undersecretary
of War, called on me Sunday after
noon and said, the War Department
made a mistake in suggesting any
change from the official statement
made to the Senate Military Affairs
COMMITTEE on January 20, which
statement does represent the War
Departments position on the May
Bailey BILL In so far as am con-
Icerned, that clarifies the whole sit
iuation."
i Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of
Utah, chairman OF the committee.
announced the first witnesses at the
closed hearings, which start at
1890 am. tomorrow, will be Secre-
Itary of War Stimson, Secretary Of
the Navy Forrestal and Mr.. Pat
terson.
Chairman Thomas explained the
theory on which the hearings were
closed was that so many hearings
i have been held on the subject Ia
{ Ithe past, Only those who are In
7 vited win be heard and they VII
Z be invited as individuals rathe,
; than as representatives Of iustitu.
= tions. He said each witness Woult
be limited to 80 minutes. but ad.
8 mitted it probably would not b<
: possible to hear them all this week
It is expected that leaders O,
labor, industry and agriculture viii
;, be called in, along with Govern
J ment officials.
II Vote on Chandler Motion.
4 The vote on the Chandler motion
i for the open hearings follows:
For-Chairman Thomas and Sen
, ators Chandler, Kilgore, Wagner,
, Bridges, Wilson and Burton.
Administrators Johnson of Col.
Va oeO, AAAA, ~ MdlUicy, SUSWdII,
, Maybank, Austin. Quincy, Rever-
comb and Thomas of Idaho.
The vote on the motion to hold
closed hearings was:
For-Thomas of Utah, Hill
Chandler, Kilgore, Murray, OMa-
honey, Wagner, Austin, Bridges,
Quincy, Revercomb, wilson, Thom-
as of Idaho and Burton.
Against-Johnson of Colorado,
Stewart and Maybank.
Senator johnson had revealed in
, his chargesagainst the War Depart
ment Saturday that the committee
on Friday had already voted Z to
2 to report the bill, but backed up
from that stand Saturday.
On his way to today's committee
meeting, Senator OMahoney, Wyo-
ming Democrat, had said he would
insist that new hearings be held. In
support of this request, he declared
the entire war situation has changed
since military leaders appeared In
support Of the bill In the House
Committee several weeks ago.
"At that time the Russian drive
Il Co. 1F11J1O1YTEn 1----