Evening star., 1946-07-10
Poynter Refuses to Tell Probers
If He Saw May Before Speech
Public Relations Man
Accuses Committee
Of Suppressine Facts

Henry Psynter, public relations
counsel, clashed in bitter words with
the Senate War Investigating Com
mittee late yesterday when he was
summoned TO explain propaganda
telegram signed with his name.
Asked his connection was with the
Is munition companies under in
veStigation, Mr. Paynter said he
received call last week from Wayne
Johnson. attorney for the Carson
brothers. whose Illinois munitions
empire is under congressional fire.
He asked me if I would accept a
public relations job, said Mr. Pawn
ter. L told him l could not accept it
unless l decided that his clients had
a good case"
Satisfied After Conferences.
After two DAYS of conferences. he
added. he decided they had good
case, which his conscience would
permit him TO accept. He explained
he was satisfied on two grounds
that they had a defense which
should be presented to the public,
that they were the victim of anti
Semitic sentiment.
I hope" Mr.. Paynter added. Il
will always be in the fight against
religious prejudice and for consti-
tutional liberties"
Chairman Mead asked what Mr..
Paynters compensation was to be-
and the witness said $4,000.
And lust whom do you repre-
sent?" Senator Mead asked
I'm not quite sure who I'm work
ing for" Mr.. Paynter replied I've
talked to number OF persons. out
l can't give you all their names at
this moment"
Got $500 Advance.
Mr.. Paynter said he got an ad-
vance Of $500 in the form of a check
from DR.. Harry M. Carson, which
was delivered in person
Are you working for Murray
Carson tDr. Garsson's brother, ?"
asked Senator Ferguson, Republican,
of Michigan.
If he's Mr.. Johnsons client
am
Are YOU working for Benjamin F.
Fields?" The missing witness. who
is alleged to have tried to bribe q
member of the Committee. Senator
Mitchell, Democrat of Washington,
and to have had hand in trying
TO persuade committee investi-
gator. Thomas O'Connell TO drop
his work and go to New Mexico
No" said the witness and I don't
represent Al Capone or Owney Mad
dem
MIR. Paynter denied he wrote a
teleglam in evidence in which the
author, who signed Mr.. Paynters
name, saio Secretary Patterson
could. if he would, bring half a
ton" of recorded telephone conver-
sations showing Chairman Mead.
Senator Ferguson and President
Truman himself had sought war
contracts for friends. Mr.. Patter-
son, who preceded Mr.. Paynter on
the witness stand, denied there were
any such records
Admits Protesting Editorial.
Mr.. Paynter said he had engaged
a private detective agency at his
own expense to find out who sent
this telegram.
He admitted sending another. ad-
dressed to the publisher of the
Washington Post, protesting against
an editorial critical of Representa-
tive May, Democrat, of Kentucky.
In this message. Mr. Paynter
charged the committee with sup
pressing the facts" and said the
GarssonS were victims of anti
Semitism. He also accused the COM
mittee staff of 'conspiratorial
plot" against the GarSsons and Mr..
May.
rs Mr. May one of your clients?"
he was asked
No, sir"
did you help Mr. Nav prepare
the speech he delivered in the House
Yesterday" asked Senator Ferfuson.
No, sir"
Did you talk to Mr.. May before
he made the speech?"
Il do not think Mr.. Paynter re-