Evening star., 1947-12-19
General Named
On nSixCounts;
Warrants Issued
Former War Plant
President Faces
Three Charges
By Robert K. Walsh

Maj. Gen. Bennett E. Meyers,
retired Air Force purchasing
deputy chief, was indicted by a
District grand jury this after
noon on charges of perjury and
subornation of perjury.
Bleriot H. Lamarre, former presi-
cent of Dayton company from
which Gen. Meyers repeatedly drew
S150,000 in profits, was indicted on
charges of perjury.
Each of the two indictments con-
tanned three counts-that Is, six
against Gen. Meyers and three
against Lamarre. The penalty
under the District code for perjury
as well as subornation of perjury
is from to 10 years Imprisonment.
At the request of United States
Attorney George Morris Fay, Justice
David A., Pine Immediately issued
bench warrants for the arrest of the
two defendants. Mr.. Fay said, how
ever, that Gen. Meyers and Lamarre
would not be arraigned until after
the first of the year.
Hearings Began Nov. Is.
The grand jury of 13 men and
10 women was the regular Oc-
tober panel 1t began hearing
testimony in the Meyers case Mo-
vember 25, three days after the close
OF Senate War Investigating Sub
committee hearings.
1t met the day after Air Secretary
Symington announced the $549
monthly disability retirement pen
sion of the former Air Force pro-
curement officer had been stopped
and all his decoration awards re-
scinded. Possible court martial Of
Gen. Meyers awaits the outcome Of
civil court actions, Mr.. Symington
said.
Although the jury held sessions
on the Meyers matter for a total Of
only six days since November IS, it
convened almost daily on routine
District cases. 1t also returned in
dictments December 5 charging 10
Hollywood writers, producers and
directors with contempt of Con-
gress.
Lamarres Among Witnesses.
Principal witnesses against Gen.
Meyers at the grand jury proceed
ings were Mr.. and Mrs. Lamarre.
Thomas E. Readnower and Robert
L. Pine, all of Dayton. Ohio.
Lamarre. a key witness at the
Senate subcommittee inquiry, tes-
titled Gen. Meyers was the real
owner of the Aviation Electric
Corp, a Dayton concern that had
more than $1.050,000 in war SUBJ
contracts with several aircraft man.
|ufacturing companies.
Lamarre was president of the
Aviation Electric Corp. He declared
he drew a salary of less than $1,000
and kicked back to Gen. Meyers
the bulk of a recorded executive
salary" of 900. He said Gen.
Meyers drew more than $150,000 in
profits and other benefits, such as
an automobile and a $4,000 Wash
ington apartment decorating job,
from company funds.
Meyers Denied Charges.
Gen. Meyers, at the Senate sub
committee hearings, not only denied
this but explained his sole connec-
tion with the company was to set up
Lamarre in business and to lend
money which, he said. was repaid.
He asserted he did this for Lamarre
because Mrs, Lamarre had been his
girl friend" This brought an angry
denial from Lamarre who called
Gen. Meyers snake"
Readnower. brother of Mrs. La
MARIE. described himself as dunn
my vice president of the Dayton
company. He said his recorded SAL
ary ranged from $4,000 to S18,600,
even while he was in the Army, but
he turned over practically all of it
to Gen. Meyers.
Both Lamarre and Readnower in
formed the Senate subcommittee
Gen. Meyers asked them to tell
false stories about his association
with the Dayton concern. Lamarre
said Gen. Meyers came to his home
last summer "and sat in my favor
ite armchair" to dictate letter in
which Lamarre was to state that
company checks to Gen. Meyers
were for repayment of loans.
The witness added that on the
(See MEYERS, Page Aid