Evening star., 1947-12-12
Bridges Says More
Prominent Persons
May Be Investigated
(Tert OF Pauley Statement on
Page A.
By J. A. O'LeoH

fore a Senate committee today
that he owned 100000 bushels of
grain in the commodity markets
when he became special assist
ant to Secretary of the Army
Royal early last September.
He said he had done rather we'll
In the market this year, but con-
tended he had passed up a possible
100000 in additional profits by SELL
ing most of his holdings since TAX
ing the Army Department post.
Called as the first witness in an
Appropriations Committee investi-
cation into whether Government Of
f1cials have been specializing on the
commodity market, Mr. Pauley re-
vealed he has already disposed of
80 per cent of his holdings in grain
under an agreement he made with
Mr.. Royal when he took Office.
He said that at that time he had
100000 bushels and now has only
$4,000.
He said that because of this liqui-
dation IT am more than 100000
worse off currently than if I had
retained the grain"
Others May Be Named.
He testified emphatically he had
no information concerning Army
purchases and that none of his
Army connections had been used
In his tradings.
Before Mr.. Pauley took the stand,
Committee Chairman Bridges in
dicated the spotlight may be turned
on other we'll known names. Senator
Bridges said:
"It is evident from information
members of Congress have received
that some prominent individuals
close to Government officials, who
over the years have posed as great
humanitarians, are now by their
speculation in the food markets
sticking knives into the hearts of the
hungry peoples of the world. 1t will
be shocking to this Nation if some
of these names are revealed"
To explain why the committee is
making the inquiry, Senator Bridges
Degan as 1OllOWS.
"The Congress of the United
States appropriates the money nee
essary to the operation of the Fed
eral Government. The officials and
employees of the Federal Govern
ment are responsible to the Congress
for their use of public funds. In
this particular period it Is especially
necessary that public funds be ex-
pended wisely and economically.
when rumors or charges involv-
ing an employe Of the Federal Gov
ernment as to their conduct or the
careless use of public funds come
to the attention of the Congress, it
is our duty to look into it.
Vital Need of Aid Stressed.
There is grave question concern
ing the economic and financial con-
dition of our own country. There is
urgent need for any financial or eco
nomic assistance we can spare for
other countries of the world. AS
the Congress seeks sound ways to
help other countries of the world, it
is extremely important that the cost
O1 COlIllIlOQlUlCo LII supply Wv
desperately needed at home and
abroad, be kept as low as possible.
It is acknowledged that speculation
in the commodity markets increases
the cost of commodities.
TT is especially true that undue
speculation today in foodstuffs drives
their cost up. If this speculation is
encouraged or participated in by an
official or employe of the Federal
Government, it is particularly repre-
hensible at this time because it helps
to increase rather than decrease the
cost of living for our own people
and increases the cost of goods which
are needed to avoid possible starva-
ton abroad. Improper speculation
in foodstuffs at time like this has
been called gambling 'in human
misery. Such speculation should be
stopped"
Senator Ferguson, Republican, of
(Coo DAT1 FV pauo AL