Evening star., 1946-07-27

QerSon.
Olson, Anderson and Hall made
one or two trips to meet with sub
ordinate officers of the then con-
structing quartermaster general,
Brig. Gen. Brehon Somervelle.
Charles Hall, who Is from Portland,
already had called upon and re-
ceived the full aid and assistance of
then Senator Rufus Holman. Re
publican. Of Oregon. member Of
the Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee, and his secretary, whose name,
as recall it, was Parkman. Sena-
tor Holman and I, by telephone, told
Gen. Somervelle and his assistants
1T was our feeling that If govern
mental bidding procedure was to
be maintained, qualified low bid
Der should be awarded the contract,
and that any personal like or dis
like of any and sundry subordinate
quartermsster officers for Anderson
should have no more to do with his
receiving the award than the posi-
BILE dislike Gen. Somervelle might
have for persons who have green
eyes. The general agreed and said
that Anderson would get the con-
tract, which conclusion he had
reached after he had reviewed the
highlights Of a hearing Anderson
was given before panel Of sub
ordinate officers, which might be
described as a board OF contracts
awards. At these hearings, I was
represented by Paul Olson, who pre-
sented to the committee in great
detail my feelings with respect to
eliminating Anderson, as home
town contractor, when the latter
had qualified as bidder and sub
mitted the low bid. Ny Office was
notified by Senator Holmans ofnce
that they had been advised that
Anderson was to get the contract.
We, in turn. advised Senator Hol-
man that such word had already
been conveyed to us. Olson advised
Anderson Of Gen. Somervelle's de-
cision. at which point Anderson
waxed rhapsodically profuse in his
expressions Of appreciation and
gratitude for the results our oflices
had jointly been able to achieve
Anderson and Olson went to lunch
in the House restaurant and. during
the luncheon period, Anderson said
that before leaving that afternoon
to visit his son in Boston-one of
two sons whom Olson had known in
college-he would like to see me and
say good-by. Olson and Anderson
found me just as / was starting up
the members stairway to the House
floor. Anderson was unstinted in
his praise of the effectiveness OF the
legitimate and ethical representa- :
tions had made in his behalf as his
representative in Congress He re-
iterated what he had said earlier
to Olson; namely, that he would
find ways and means of properly
expressing his appreciation for the
many courtesies and favors which
I had extended him over 4 long
period OF time. I replied that it
was always a source OF relief for a
member OF Congress to know that
his efforts on behalf of constituents
were appreciated by the recipients
Of such aid and that, of course.
every member Of Congress knew
that his elective position was made
more secure when enthusiastic sup
porters like Anderson were out
spoken in their support.
| Later that day, Anderson volun-
teered to Olson the statement that
in due course he intended to for
ward campaign contribution which
he described as "long overdue" as
an indication of the high regard he
entertained for my work as a Repre-
sentative, and his desire that my
congressional career be a long one
Olson told Anderson that if and
when he should make such a con-
tribution, iteshould be made payable
to him as my campaign manager
and. OF course, should be a personal
check. Anderson's last words before
leaving the National Capital were
that Olson should tell me that he
believed in the doctrine OF befriend-
ing those who had befriended him
and that he would never forget the
many evidences of friendly intel rest
l had manifested in his problems.
Within the fortnight, Olson wrote
to Anderson, in accordance with the
latter's request. to briefly report on
the dinner meeting attended bv
Senator Holman. Charles Hall and
Dick Rushlight, OF the A. G. Rush
light Co. At that dinner meeting 1t
was agreed that. considering the de-
termined opposition to Anderson felt
by the subordinate officers of the
Quartermaster Corps, the success of
Senator Holman and myself in max
ing sure that the low bidder received
the award represented a signal vic
tory for justice and fairness. Olson
expressed himself along these lines
when he wrote to Anderson q few
days later and accurately described
my feeling of relief and encourage
ment over Anderson's expressed en-
thusiasm, as a well-known Repub-
lican, for the caliber of representa-
ton I was performing in behalf OF
my constituents of the 9Th congress
sional district, regardless of their
nominal political af1iliation.
In 10 days or so Anderson wrote to
Olson and inclosed a personal check
for $2,500 made out to Paul A. Olson
In his letter Of transmittal, Ander-
son said-and this is important
that he was sending q slip as further
evidence OF his sincerity, in relation
to the statements he had made to
both Olson and myself. Anderson &
letter used the term slip" instead
OF check. the reason for which do
not know. Anderson's letter was
made public on one occasion, but
Harry Cain, Rivand Anderson. and
. No..