Evening star., 1946-08-01

shells by lanyard, over how long a
period and how much the rate Of
fire was cut down by this slower
method of firing.
On the score Of other inquiries,
Senator Magnuson said his request
for an investigation Of Gen. Somer-
veil was based on his experience in
dealing with the General on the
Alaskan Highway and Canol projects.
He commented that so much secrecy
was thrown around the latter, an
oil project, that members Of Con-
gress could hardly ask questions
about it."
Senator Ferguson, Republican, of
Michigan expressed the belief some
of that" will come out in the COM
mittee's proposed investigation OF
Col. Theodore Wyman, jr., district
engineer In Hawaii prior to the
Pearl Harbor attack.
Sees Interesting Trail
81 think the trail of Mr.. Wyman
will lead us to Canada, Hawaii and
other interesting places" Senator
Ferguson said.
Outside Of some possible sugges-
tions to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections and possible men
ton of the Coffee case in its final
report, Senator Mead said, the COM
mittee has closed the book on Repre-
sentative Coffee and Eivind Ander-
son, Tacoma CWashJ contractor and
donor of the $4,000 check.
Senator Ferguson, whose sharp
questioning during the two-day
session led more than one witness
into acrimonious debate, was absent
at the end of the hearing when
Senator Mead calmly summed it up
by saying that, while Mr.. Coffee
may have been morally wrong" to
accept a contribution from Mr..
Anderson, the Government lost no
money because Mr.. Anderson was
low bidder on the contract involved
in the discussion.
Believe me-" Mr.. Coffee inter-
rupted, "I1l never accept another
one, I'll tell you that"
| Then, as Senator Mead went on
with his remarks, Mr.. Coffee added,
"Of this character, mean, or any
thing remotely resembling it,"
The discussion at the final session
centered on whether Mr.. Coffee, or
his former secretary, Paul A. Olson,
or Mr.. Anderson had violated the
law and, If SO, whether they could
be prosecuted.
Viewed as Confession"
Mr.. McGranery told the committee
that what Mr.. Anderson said in an
affidavit presented to the Justice
Department last March was "in
effect confession Of crime" regard
less of whether he paid $2,500 to Mr.
Coffee, through Mr.. Olson, for serv-
ices in obtaining and expediting a
war contract or as q campaign
contribution.
Mr.. Anderson has testified the
check was fee" for services rem
= dered. Mr.. Coffee and Mr.. Olson
supported by the testimony of an
other witness, W. A. Rushlight Of
Portland, Greg, and an afidavit from
Mr.. Anderson's bondsman, Clyde
Philip, contend the $2,5o0 was 9
campaign gift.
AS to whether Mr.. Olson or Mr.
Coffee had violated statute, Mr.
McGranery was less definite. HI
said there was no question that
81, 500 had been paid and that Mr.
Anderson had violated the statute
forbidding war contractors from
making political contributions. HI
pointed out, however, that "yor
can receive a contribution and not
be guilty of anything"
Under continued questioning hi
said the check transaction woulc
have been presented to a grand
jury if it had been disclosed within
three years after the act.
Mr.. McGranery said the Ander.
son AFFIDAVIT, saying the contractor
had paid Mr.. Coffee $4,000 in com.
lpensation for obtaining war con-
tract, had been brought to thu
Justice Department in March, 1916
by Harry Cain, retiring Mayor Of
Tacoma. The check transaction
took place in 1941.
Case Referred to FBI.
The case, he said, was sent tt
the FBI.
Did the FBI try to get any con.
fessions?" asked Senator Ferguson
1--WE apparently had the only con
fession that we could get-the An
derson affidavit," replied Mr.. Nc
Granery.
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoovel
returned the papers to him, he said
with the report that in view Of tn.
statute Of limitations, and the fac
that this was political ISSUE" tn,
FBI would not make any investiga
ton unless Mr.. McGranery advised
otherwise.
On the basis of a penciled nota
ton from Attorney General Clark
saying, perhaps we should investi
gate this though 1t Is barred" (b,
the statute Of limitations), Mr.. Nc
Granery said he went over the cas'
again with Mr.. Hoover.
He said he then reported back tt
Mr.. Clark that an investigation
would "serve no purpose and woult
be persecutive in character" H,
also pointed out the complaint orig
mated with disappointed can.
didate"-Mr. Anderson, who hat
i,,cf Laay dofaotod Il, a To nov,oe Z
mayoralty primary election by Mr.
Olson.
j Three Months Too Late.
] When Senator Ferguson asked hin
about the possibility of prosecuting
for conspiracy" Mr.. McGranerJ
Responded, You come again to tht
statute Of limitations. II that hat
A