Evening star., 1945-12-25
Kirkland Of CHICAGO
Mentioned as Possible
Pearl Harbor Counsel
Republican Attorney
For Newspaper Added
To Potential List
BY J. A. O'LEARY and
CARTER BROOKE JONES,

Hope was expressed today by
Senator Lucas. Democrat. Of 1lli-
nois that the Pearl Harbor Com
mittee would pick a new chief
counsel before the hearings are
resumed next week. His state
ment was made after he had
added the name of Weymouth
Kirkland of Chicago to the list
of suggested appointees.
Meanwhile, the illness of Maj.
Gen. Walter c. Short, retired, Army
commander in Hawaii when the
japanese attacked, appeared to-
have lessened the likelihood that
either he or Admiral Husband E.
Kimmei, Pacific feet commander in
the fall of i941, would be called TO
testify early in January.
At Walter Reed Hospital. where
Gen. Short was admitted several
days ago with q severe upper
respiratory infection" Col. Robert
IL. Skinner, executive officer, said
the infection had now gone into
mild bronchial pneumonia. After
visiting Gen. Short today Col.
Skinner said his condition was very
good and that his temperature was
normal.
The committee has not decided
officially to call the two former COM
manding officers, but some members
had indicated last week they might
be asked to testify, following the
appearance next week of Admiral
Harold R. Stark, retired, who was
chief of naval operations in 194l.
Kirkland Is Republican.
In proposing Mr. Kirkland's name
to succeed former Attorney General
William D. Mitchell, who is resign
ing along with the present legal
staff, Senator Lucas said Mr.. Kirk
land is a Republican, but has not
been active in politics. He has
practiced law in Chicago for more
than IS years and, according to
Senator Lucas. is an attorney for
the Chicago Tribune.
Representative Gearhart, Repub-
lican, of California, previously had
suggested two former National
Commanders of the American Le-
gion-Warren Atherton of Cali
| fornia, and Harry Colmery of Kan
sas. Senator Brewster, Republican,
of Maine. is advocating selection OF
Hugh Fulton, who was counsel to
the Senate War Investigating
Committee when President Truman
headed it in his senatorial days.
Mr.. Gearhart proposed again to-
day that the committee call in
some of the enlisted men of the
Army and Navy who were on duty
at Pearl Harbor the day of the
attack, before it hears the testi-
mcny of any more top-ranking
officers.
More Letters Prompt Action.
The California Representative
| made this suggestion earlier in the
hearings after calling attention to
a letter he had received from a
service man, describing an alert the
writer said was maintained at one
of the airfields in Hawaii from
December i to 6, 1941. The Jap
attack occurred on the morning of
December 7.
Mr.. Gearhart said that since an
nouncing the first letter, he has re-
ceived letters from others, and at
| the next executive session OF the
committee, will urge that some Of
these enlisted men be called.
1--WE ought to get some proof as
to the condition Of the ships and
the land defenses from disinter-
ested witnesses-men who had no
| responsibility" Mr.. Gearhart con-
tinued.
He said they could be disposed of
quickly and should be called before
Admiral Kimmel and Gen. Short
take the stand.
May Ask Counsel to Stay.
In connection with the selection
| of q new counsel, Senator Lucas
admitted it viii be difficult task
| IOT any lawyer 70 Stcp llIO Lie
proceedings at this point. after the
hearings have been In progress for
nearly five weeks. For that reason,
4 he said, he also is considering look
ing into the possibility Of trying to
have one of the assistants on the
present legal staff remain. In adj
dition to Mr.. Mitchell and Gerhard
Gesell. who have divided the task
Of examining witnesses, the legal
stan includes julie NJ. Hannaford
{See PEARL HARBoR, Page A-51