The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-09
Mead Group Wants Truth About May
 SoIon's Condition
 Is Found Confusing
 To Investigators

Washington, Aug. 9-UP)-The Mead Committee, riled at conflict ing reports on the condition of Rep Andrew J, May, D.-KyD, today called on the Congressman local physician to help unsnarl the con- troversy.
 Committee Counsel George Mead ST said he wanted to ask the physi- clan, Dr. Henry M. Lowden, about his forecast nine days ago that May should have been well enough to appear before the committee today.
 After hearing Lowden's report Meader said, it is possible that the committee may consider bringing to Washington two PreStonSburg, Ky, doctors who have been attending May at his home. The committee received word yesterday from Drs. John and George Archer that May requires "an indefinite period" of rest, quiet and doctors care.
 May Send Group to May
 AS an alternative to summoning the Archers to appear before the committee, Meader said the group might appoint a subcommittee to go to Prestonburg to see May and his doctors.
 May became ill July 25, the eve of his first scheduled appearance before the committee to explain his activities as the guardian angel' of the Carson munitions combine.
 New sidelights of the committees investigation of the Carson syndi- cate:
 1. The Army'S Chemical
 Warfare Service announced it
 IS being reorganizeG During
 committee hearings CWS was
 severely criticized for it's con-
 tact with the Carson enter
 prises, and was involved in use
 of 42-inch mortar shells that
 proved defective.
 ?. A special House commit
 tee postponed a meeting that
 was scheduled today to hear
 Benjamin F Fields, mystery
 broker and press agent for the
 Garssons, tell how he acquired
 scarce bronze screen wire from
 the War Assets Administration.
 The hearing will be held Mon
 day IL was delayed when com
 mlttee Chairman Roger C.
 Slaughter lD.-MoD, informed
 members he would be unable to
 return to Washington in time
 10 preside.
 Rejects Archers' Report
 Meader abruptly rejected the Archers' rsport from Prestonsburg on Mays condition.
 We are not in the habit of ac- cepting simple written certificates" he declared.
 Meaaer recalled that LoWden told the committee Mays heart condl- ton was improving rapidly and mat he should be able 10 begin his testimony today.
 May, however, against Iowden.s advice and without telling Low5en entrained for Kentucky, whence soon came medical bulletins con cerning his critical. condition
 Warned Not To Go Home
 Lowden told reporters then that May had asked him whether he might not do better" at home in Kentucky. But, Bowden said "T told him not to go and I haven't seen him since Hes out of my hands
 The announcement that the Chemical Warfare Service was be- ing reorganized was made by Mai l Gen. Alden H. Wait, CWS chief who was severely criticized by the Mead committee in its inquiry into the Carson combine.
 The War Department said the | CWS shift has been contemplated since April l and. 1t added:
 Pending the completion of the War Department investigation of the matters brought out by the | Meat committee and in justice to the Chemical Warfare Service. the War Department does not feel t appropriate at this time to make any further statement about the reorganization"
 CWS Gave Combine Contracts
 The bulk Of the s73.0OO.OOOin Army contracts handled by the Carson syndicate was awarded by CWS The first contract-a S3.0OO.OOO shell contract for Erie Basin Metal Pro- ducts, Inc.-Was given the firm by CWS before the company even le- gally existed.
 It was on CWS contract that the Army made an erroneous S1,- 0o0,OO0 prepayment to Batavia Me tai Products, Inc. At the specific request of Under Secretary of War Kenneth C. Royall, this $l.OO000 error is receiving FBI attention.
 Most outspoken committee critic Of CWS was Sen. Hugh B. Mitchell. (D.-Wash), who made a Senate speech assailing Waitt his predeces- sor, Maj.-Gen. William N Porter Ret; and CWS legal attorney Al bert W. Jacobson.
 Mitchell demanded that the Army take appropriate punitive meas ures against officers who are easy in morals and careless in admins tration," He declared that some officials approached traitorous conduct" in obtaining favors for the Carson firms.
 CWS Went On Mission
 The committees ire also was reused over the revelation that Waitt, Porter, Jacobson and other CWS officials went to New York on Army travel orders for "tem- oorary duty" which permitted them Q attend Mission Pierre Sl,- i07 wedding party at the swank Hotel Pierre given by Murray Cars . 'on for his daughter. She married ] CWS officer.
 CWS use of defective Az inch mortar shells also has come under committee fire. According to Army sources. CWS is working overtime nights and weekends preparing 'eport for Royall on the shells that