Evening star., 1946-10-13

Tor Political l0ur,
|G0P Spokesman Says
BY the Asseeiofsd Press
Representative Clarence j. Brown
OF Ohio, Republican campaign di-
rector, protested last night that Sec
retary Of the Interior Krug has
been using an Army plane for "a
political transforming tour" OF the
West.
He made the complaint in let
ter to Secretary Of War Patterson,
saying the information came from
source he considers completely
reliable
Mr.. Krug at Portland, Ore, au-
| thorized the statement that his
tour "is not political trip, but
Of course I'm not going to duck any
Democratic candidates" He added
that This trip is to keep a promise
I made to the people out here to
see at first-hand the need for easing
the presest freeze order on reclama-
ton and other projects" An asso-
ciate said his plane was a Coast
Guard ship.
Seeks Efficient Administration.
Mr.. Brown subsequently asserted
it made no real difference"
whether an Army or Coast Guard
plane were involved. TN neither
case should a Government plane
be used by an official for joyriding
or campaigning at the expense OF
the taxpayers" he told a reporter.
On arriving in Seattle from Port
land, Mr.. Krug described MIR.
Browns complaint as sweet
naivete." In statement he said
he engaged in efficient administra-
ton of his duties, and III that
elects every Democratic candidate,
I will be very pleased with my
contribution.
BY order of President Truman,
all cabinet members have been per-
mitted for nearly a year to travel
lin Army and Navy transport planes
when on ofIicial business, an Army
Air Forces official disclosed. Since
May, however, they have been re-
uuired to reimburse the War or
Navy Departments.
Truman Request Cited.
Brig. Gen. Emmett ODonnell,
AAF publications director, said the
Air Forces received a letter dated
last November 2, signed by Mai.
Gen. Harry H. Vaughan, President
lTruman.s military aide, which said
THAT '.the President directs me TO
say he is4.of the opinion thatall
cabinet members should haye the
same facility for air travel as Is
accorded the secretaries of War and
Navy"
In May. the War and Navy De-
partments advised the other depart
ments that for. economy reasons,
they should be reimbursed for the
use of air transport. -
Accordingly, Gen. ODonnell said,
Army planes since then have been
paid for at the rate Of $65 an hour
for two-engine planes and $3.50 an
hour for four -engine aircraft, the
estimated cost Of operation.
Gen. ODonnen said the record
shows Mr.. Krug used an Army plane
on trip to Alaska June 6-1S. for
which the Air Forces was reimbursed
by the Interior Department.
Gen. ODonnell told reporters that
''the Air Forces has no responsibility
for the nature of the speeches any
cabinet member may make when on
a trip in one of it's planes" Mr.. Pat
terson himself was away for the
weekend.
Letter is Quoted.
In his letter Mr.. Brown said:
Information has come to me,
from a source which believe to be
completely reliable, that the Secre-
tary of the Interior has ben travel
ing through the western part OF the
United States in an Army plane with
four members of the Army Air Force
In attendance, and that at least a
substantial part Of his activity has
consisted Of making political
speeches on behalf Of Democrat can
didates for the House and Senate.
More specifically, I am informed
that at Billings, Montana, on Octo-
Der 9, he made speech calling for
the election of the Democrat candl-
date for the Senate, Mr.. Left Erick-
son, and the Democrat candidate
for the House from that district. !
am also informed that prior to his
appearance in Montana, Democrat
State headquarters there announced
that he was coming into the State
to speak for Mr.. Erickson. BY way
of adding to the political complexion
of Mr.. Krug's travels In Montana,
I am told that he was accompanied
by Charles Murray, son OF Senator
Murray of that State.
Hatch Act Is Cited.
"The purpose Of this letter Is to
inquire by what authority the Army
is supplying transportation Tor
Democrat political speakers during
this campaign. Also, would like
to have your opinion as TO whether
or not participation by members OF
the Army Air Force in a political
transforming tour renders them
liable under the Hatch Act. I am
assuming, of course, that these
members of the Air Force were act
ing under orders and, if 50, ! am
inquiring by whose orders?
Il am not, of course, questioning
the right of Secretary Krug, or any
other official not barred from such
activity by the Hatch Act, to en-
gage in political campaign speech-
making, but wish to point out most
emphatically that appropriate
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