Evening star., 1946-07-14
May Challenges
Mead Methods
In Sharp Reply
Senator's Statement
On Admitting Facts
Called Unwurronted

Called Unworronted
In sharp retort to Chairman
Mead of the Senate War Investi-
eating Committee, Representa-
tive May, Democrat of Kentucky,
last night challenged the general
conduct of your hearings" and
defended his reasons for not
having appeared before the COM
mittee.
statement of Senator Mead that the
committee could find no alternative
to the conclusion that you admit
the facts" gathered at the inquiry
ito be true"
The name Mr.. May, chairman of
the House Military Affairs Commit
tee repeatedly has been linked with
the investigation into the is Illinois
war plants. Army officers testified
the Kentucky Democrat had asked
the War Department for special
favors for the combine headed by
1eIlIy w. carson.
Witness Reappears.
This and the temperance of a
witness who had been thought to be
missing, were the top developments
OF a day when the Senate committee
went into executive session to out
line the course of events this week.
The witness who bobbed up after
a two-day absence was Louis Sarelas.
82ll Grove street, Silver Spring, Md.
who announced he will be very
happy to appear before the commit
tee tomorrow Listed by the COM
mittee as the s10,000-a- year head of
the Garsson's office, Mr.. Carelas
told The Star he dropped out of the
company six months ago.
The committee hoped to get from
Mr.. Sarelas some pertinent facts
about the munitions combine that
won s78.000,000 in war contracts.
They looked to him to fill in missing
gaps, particularly from the Washing
ton angle OF the Carson operations.
May Denies Mead Suggestion.
Declaring he had not refused to
appear before the committee as
Senator Meads letter yesterday i'm
piled, Mr.. May reiterated his pro-
posal made-two days ago-that he
would testify if granted the privi-
leges OF cross-examining witnesses,
presenting witnesses and producing
records.
Before accepting. I am simply
seeking a basis upon which such
acceptance can be made without
being denied the rights and privi-
leges specified" Mr.. May said.
Mr.. May had something to say
about the committees comment that
public servants should seek account
ings OF their public trust frequently,
fully and opening" to preserve the
integrity OF Congress.
The Kentuckian wrote Mr.. Mead:
BE assured that zeal in the desire
to account frequently and openly
is not limited to the sphere of any
particular group nor is integrity and
devotion to duty.
Fairness Requested.
MY request was directed only In
my desire that the public be af-
forded the opportunity for the pres
entation of evidence by me and
others under conditions conforming
with the established concepts of ju-
dicial fairness
Upshot of the second May state
ment indicating he will not testify
without right of oss-examining
witnesses and the right to subpoena
others was an unofficial prediction
that the committee will take legal
steps to summon the Kentucky Rep
resentative.
1T is time the letter writing end
said one source close to the commit
tee. He indicated a subpoena or
some other form of calling Mr. May
will follow conclusion of other testi-
mony, probably the middle of this
week.
The appearance of Mr.. Sarelas
was regarded as something of vic
tory for the Mead committee. Call
ing The Star last night. Mr.. Sarelas
said he understood he was being
sought. He wasn't lodging sub
poenas, he added. The reason he
did not attend yesterdays executive
session of the committee was that
he spent Friday night away from
home and missed his summons.
Quit Carson Firm.
Besides he added. Il haven t
been connected with the Washing
ton Office in question for six months "
He had turned his talents to writing.
an ambition he now was pursuing in
New England, he said.
The Mead committee has Mr.
Sarelas listed as the $4,000 a year
manager of the Washington Office
Of the Erie Basin Metal Products
Inc. and the Batavia Metal Products,
Inc. the two major enterprises in
the organization headed by Henry
M. Carson.
II Mr.. Sarelas is as eager to testify
as he indicated he was last night,
(see WAR PROFITS, Page A-5D
nrsCivifService