Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-07-31

pocket to run his very expensive"
1888 campaign, he testified.
Despite testimony by both Mr.
Coffee and former Senator Holman,
of Oregon, that they discussed
with Gen. Somervell the reason
why Mr.. Anderson should be given
the construction contract as low
bidder, the General, now retired,
told the committee he could recall
nothing of the contract.
The former Army Service Forces
Chief did identify his signature,
however, on two documents showing
he ordered the contract to be award
ed to the second lowest bidder,
instead of Mr. Anderson, and then
reversed himself four days later to
give the contract to Mr.. Anderson.
Mr.. Holman identified a letter he
had written in the period between
the two Somervell orders, wanting
to know why the low bidder had
not gotten the contract.
Coffee Charges Politics.
In a voice frequently shaken with
emotion and often rising to shout,
Mr.. Coffee began his testimony yes
terday by charging that Mr.. Ander-
sons whole story was "motivated in
politics and saturated by political
bias"
He pointed out that for five years,
Mr.. Anderson had seen no reason
for assuming the money was "other
than what it waS-a campaign con-
tribution.
Mr.. Coffee testified he had no
intimation in advance of publica-
ton of the check transaction last
March that Mr.. Anderson had any
thing but the warmest friendship
for me, and he had every reason
to have friendship for me-
Put Money in Bank.
He freely admitted that although
the check was made out to Mr..
Olson the latter acted only as my
agent" cashed the check within
"a hours and put the money in one
of Mr.. Coffees bank accounts.
IF you put it in your bank ac-
count" inquired Senator Ferguson,
how can you show every cent Of
it was used for campaign expenses?"
Mr.. Coffee impatiently replied he
was coming to that"
When he testified he had drawn
SO 900 out of his own accounts to
defray his 1888 campaign expenses
and the $4,000 was to replace that
campaign indebtedness, Senator
Ferguson commented:
Then I take 1t as your policy
that a man who spent his own
money in 1884 could accept campaign
gifts indefinitely into the future"
oh. no." replied the witness.
/ Spending "All the Time"
Returning repeatedly to Mr.
Coffee's reference to the check as
campaign contribution, Senator
Ferguson wanted to know how Mr.
Coffee would 60 about reporting to
! the House on contributions TO his
1888 campaign when he didn't re-
ceive the money until 1941.
Mr.. Coffee replied he was spend
ing money all the time for cam
paign expenditures.
When Senator Ferguson wanted
to know how much he had taken in
for campaign expenditures since
l941. Mr.. Coffee protested, II don't
want to be put in the position OF
being crooked"
Asked why he had not reported
the Anderson check. Mr.. Coffee said
that in his home State he was re-
quired to file only campaign ex-
penditures, not campaign gifts, and
that the Federal law required filing
lists of gifts and expenditures 1C
to IS days before the primaries and
less than 80 days after the election
Raises Question on Law.
This Federal law, then, is abso-
lutely useless and doesn't apply il
you pay in 1941 what you spent In
1888" commented Senator Fergu-
son, IF you collect gifts 30 days
after the election, no law covers
you"
Then Senator Ferguson asked 81
Mr.. Coffee interpreted the law te
mean he could collect any amount
in gifts in an off election yeal
and not file a return.
! My interpreted ton is that there
is nothing in the law covering
contributions in off years" replied
the witness.
Outside Of campaign periods,
Senator Ferguson persisted 'yol
could collect any sums you desired
and use them at your own dis.
erection with nobody checking or
you?"
Il don't agree with your inter.
: probation on that" Mr. Coffee re.
sponded.
He produced a letter from South
Trimble. clerk of the House, whom
he had written for information
after the check incident was pub.
licized. The Trimble letter informed
him he had complied with the Hous.
rules and the Federal Corrupt Prac.
tees Act and added that Mr.. Trim.
BILE could find no instance wher.
candidates had filed interim cam
paign reports.
Coffee Charges Unfairness.
Calling attention to Mr.. Olsoni
letter to Mr. Anderson, to which tn,
contractor responded by sending TIT
, check, Senator Ferguson pointec
out that Mr.. Olson had mentioned
the demands heaped on a public
official and the cost of maintainin,
III