Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-18
Senator Taft | Launches
Three Way Attack on
Truman Appointments
Ohioon Takes Floor
Against Allen, Hits
Pouley and Vordomon
VARDAMAN DENIES part in tam
pering with shoe firms records.
Page AS

Senator Taft, Republican, of
Ohio launched a broad attack
on three of President Truman's
recent appointments as he took
the Senate floor this afternoon
against one of them, George E.
Allen, nominated to be a director
lof the reconstruction Finance
Corp.
The other two nominations,
which are still under fire in COM
mitteeS, are: Edwin w. Pauley, oil
man and former treasurer of the
Democratic National Committee, to
be Undersecretary of the Navy, and
Commodore James K. Vardaman
jr., to be governor of the Federal
Reserve System.
The character of these appoint
ments has excited the indignation
of the people of this country" Sen
ator Taft said. Without consider
ing the individual cases for the
moment, they have certain charac-
teristics in common. None of the
men knows anything about the jot
to which he is appointed.
Mr.. Pauley knows nothing about
the Navy. His semidiplomatis
trips to Russia and the Far East
apparently showed that he knew
nothing about diplomacy or our re.
lations with other countries.
Qualifications Discussed.
"Mr. Allen knows nothing OF
banking, which is the main function
OF the chairman of the board of the
RIG. tSenator Taft previously
pointed out that, If confirmed, Mr.
Allen could be elevated to chairman
of the RFC by action of the direc-
tors). Commodore Vardaman knows
nothing about currency or the con-
troll of imitation, though he did have
some background over 10 years age
for the banking functions of the
Federal Reserve Board by serving in
minor bank jobs"
Although former District Commits.
sioner Aliens nomination was re.
ported favorably by the Banking
Committee, IA to S, movement wa.
reported under way by opponents tt
have his name returned to the com.
mittee for further study, instead o.
trying to defeat him outright at thi.
time.
1t was believed in reliable quarter.
that on a straight-out vote, Mr.
Allen would muster a majority.
The opposition might pick up more
strength on motion to recommit.
Senator Taft charged that al
three apparently were selected "onl,
because they are personal or politi
cal friends of the President"
The Ohio Senator argued that (
general idea has grown up tina
some outstanding disqualification
must be found before the Senat,
should reject presidential ap
pointment.
REC Importance Cited.
This is wholly untrue he con
tinued. I'VE have the duty to pas
on the character, ability. education
training and competence of nom
!; inees. There is perhaps Sigh
presumption in favor of the Presi
dents nominations, but nothing tina
relieves us from making a complet'
! examination ourselves"
Il Turning to the Allen case, Senate
Taft called the RFC "the most pow
Ierful body in the Government" il
|, many respects because it is author
: lied to borrow and relend abou
$40, 900 100000 He argued it ma,
/ loan money to foreign nations
' banks, insurance companies, rail
roads and business of any kind.
Il Senator Taft praised the record O
RFC. particularly when 1t was unde
!, 1.-THE direction of Jesse II Jones