Evening star., 1946-07-11
War Profits
Continued From First Page

that Batavia received a contract of
nearly sll 100000 early in 1914, al
though its production cost was sec
ond highest among IL bidding con-
| tractors
Figures placed in the record by
Mr.. Meader showed that Batavia was
producing the 8-inch shell at Sal %
each, while 10 other companies could
produce at rates ranging down to
S26 40 The only one listed rs higher
than Batavia required $51 Al TO make
the shell
Followed Complaint by May.
Then Batavia was second highest
In cost among the contractors of the
Chicago Ordnance District produc-
ing the 8-inch shell?' Mr.. Meader
asked.
Gen Hardy said that evidently
was true.
Earlier testimony showed that the
big Batavia contract for shells fol-
lowed complaint by Mr. Nav to the
chief of ordnance that Carson.
head of Batavia and directing exec
utlve of IS other corpora tons, did
not think he was getting his fair
share of the business.
Gen. Hardy could not recall re-
ceiVing any specific word that the
Kentucky Representative had COM
planned, although he said some one"
had phoned the chief of ordnance
Afterward, Gen. Hardy said, he
talked TO Carson in the Chicago
office and heard his complaint.
Mr Meader read a memorandum
into the record which Col. F. w
Renwick of the Chicago ordnance
office wrote at the time, stating that
it was the impression there that
they would Just as soon not do
business with the Carson COM
panies unless they had to-"
Promised Chance at Other Work.
Gen. Hardy did not know about
that impression.
Mr. Meader read another notation
from Col. Renwick that Gen. Hardy
had promised TO do what ne could"
to see that Carson got a chance to
bid on other business
rs that true?" asked the attorney
1T probably was" said Gen
Hardy. Il told him there would be
other business coming up which he
would have chance to bid on. !
asked him if he was equipped to
produce the 8inch shell, for which
at that time there was an urgent
need. Carson expressed interest,
but naturally wanted to see the
drawings and specifications before
committing himself
Al another point Col. Renwick
noted that every one in the Chicago
Office was Thoroughly burned up"
because there had been pressure in
Washington sufficient TO bring Gen.
Hardy there to straighten out
Garsson,s complaint.
Were your burned up?" asked
Mr.. Meader.
Pressure Unusual.
Il don't burn easily" the general
replied. Pressed 10 say whether the
others were burned up, Gen. Hardy
said he did not know. pointing out
That was Col. Renwicks state
ment"
Wasn't it unusual for Washing
ton to bring pressure about such
complaint" Mr.. Meader inquired
Il would say it was unusual" Gen.
Hardy admitted 1T was nv uu-
derstanding some one had phoned
Gen. Campbell tthe chief of ord
nance"
Chairman Mead announced last
night that he was turning over 10
the Justice Department testimony
from two witnesses late yesterday
contradictlng statements which
Henry Paynter, public relations
counsel for the Carson interests,
made under oath the previous day.
The committee later will call Ben
jamin F.. Fields, missing witness,
who notified the committee by tele-
gram he was returning voluntarily
from Los Angeles and would be
available whenever ne was wanted
Senator Mitchell. Democrat, of
Washington placed in the record the
charge that Fields visited the Sena-
tors Office last fall and offered to
contribute $1,000 to his campaign
funds, requesting that the commit
tee stop prosecuting" Erie Basin
Metal Products. Inc, largest of the
Carson corporations.
Tells of Bribe Offer.
Thomas O'Connell a committee
| investigator, also testified that
Fields was present when Joe Mar
tinez, former investigator for the
group. gave Mr.. O'Connell $500 and
offered him 10000 -a-year job il
he would drop the case and go to
New Mexico. Mr.. O'Connell said he
returned the money next day, and