Evening star., 1947-07-25


from Representative Beale, Repub-
lican of Maryland, a member of the
District Committee. It also had
before it a file of papers submitted
by Robert M. Buck of the Wash
ington Daily News.
The subcommittee held no formal
hearings, the 'Auchincloss report
continues, but representatives of the
subcommittee interviewed Edward
r. Kenny of the Justice Department
and the News reporter.
The Auchincloss report states:
"It would appear from the evi-
dence at hand that Mr.. Friede had,
in the past close personal associa-
ton with the Gamewell company
." = before he was appointed head
of the fire alarm system of the Dis
trict.
Sent Thanks by Letter.
ut would further appear from the
evidence that the Gamewell COM
pany was well pleased at his ap-
pointment to that office. They
brought Mr.. Friede to Washington
to interview persons who would be
responsible for selecting the fire
alarm system of the District and
following his appointment, Mr..
Friede expressed his gratitude in
letters to the Gamewell company
for their efforts on his behalf.
I'm the purchase of fire alarm
equipment for the District it ap-
pears also that Mr.. Friede, while
director of the fire alarm system
OF the District, wrote specifications
for the fire alarm equipment to be
purchased for the District that
practically eliminated bidding by
any other firm than the Gamewell
company-many of these specifica-
tions apparently being taken from
the catalogue of the Gamewell COM
pany.
The Justice Department became in
terested in the Gamewell company,
the report continues, because of
alleged antitrust law violations. Mr..
Friede was called as a witness before
the grand jury, but he refused to
waive immunity, the report said.
The Justice Department then made
available to the District Conamis-
sioners Information 1t had. The
Commissioners referred the material
to Corporation Counsel Vernon E..
West.
No Evidence Of Crime.
Mr.. West, the Auchincloss sub
committee recalled, reported to
the Commissioners that although,
in his opinion, Mr.. Friede had acted
unwisely as a public official, there
was no substantiating evidence of
a crime having been committed"
AS a result of their investigation,
the Commissioners transferred jur-
isdiction over the fire-alarm system
to the Fire Department and made
arrangements to have specifications
for fire-alarm equipment drawn by
the National Bureau of Standards,
the report continued.
Mr.. Friede was retained in the
District service, but his position was
reclassit1ed to one paying 1000 less
than his former pay, which was
about $500, the report said.
Standards for Officials,
After agreeing with the opinion
OF the corporation counsel, and with
Mr.. Kenny of the Justice Depart
ment as to lack OF basis to prose-
cute Mr.. Friede, the Auchincloss
subcommittee concludes:
Persons who are appointed to
public office and occupy positions of
trust should conduct themselves in
such way as to be above sus-
picion at all times. They should do
nothing at variance with high prin-
ciples of honesty and straight deal
ing. A public servant can work for
only one master and cannot have
business with any one which might
cause suspicion.
1T Is the conclusion of this COM
mittee in accordance with the cir
cumstantial evidence at its disposal
that Mr.. Friede has not conducted
himself in manner above suspi-
cion.
His actions as an employe of the
District have caused adverse COM
ment. even to the extent of causing
his demotion and reduction in pay,
and to continue Mr.. Friede in the
employ Of the District under such
a cloud of suspicion is beyond the
comprehension of this committee.
For these reasons, it Is recon-
mended that the full committee on
the District request the District
Commissioners to explain in writ
ing why Mr.. Friede is continued on
the District payroll"