Evening star., 1947-07-29

sharply over the procedure to be
followed.
Ferguson Refuses Statement.
When Senator Ferguson started
to ask questions, Mr.. Kaiser said he
would prefer to be allowed to read
his statement first and then answer
questions, .., >,
I'D rather ask you few ques
tions and then we'll make your
statement a part of the record" I"
Senator Ferguson said.
Senator Pepper, subcommittee
member, objected.
He said if Mr.. Kaiser were permit
ted to-proceed In his own way 1t
would give him "fairer opportunity
to present his story"
Mr.. Kaiser said he thought it was
customary for witnesses before con-
gressional committees to be per-
mitted prepared statements.
Brewster Supports Ferguson.
Senator Ferguson assured him he
would have a full opportunity" to
give any testimony he wished.
II want to protest" Senator Pep
per shouted. II want to insist 1t
should be the privilege of every
witness who comes here to make
statement of reasonable length"
Chairman Brewster of the full
committee supported Senator Fer
guson and commented:
"I am sure Mr.. Kaiser will find
he will have full opportunity to
present his testimony"
Mr.. Kaiser brought with him what
he called a supplementary state
ment," in addition to a longer one
he had previously sent the COM
mittee and given reporters.
Fears Damage by Evidence.
II am in the position of being
seriously damaged by the evidence
that was presented yesterday" Mr..
Kaiser said. Il worked until or 8
o'clock this morning preparing a
supplement"
Former Government officials tes-
titled yesterday about the $40 900 900
in contracts awarded Mr. Kaiser and
Howard Hughes. movie producer and
industrialist Originally associated
with Mr.. Kaiser in the plane-build-
ing project. They said the contracts
were awarded despite the opinion OF
technical experts that the Kaiser
Hughes plans were fantastic
No planes produced under the
contracts are in use by the armed
services.
Senator Ferguson asked when
Kaiser first conceived the idea OF
constructing huge cargo planes.
"You don't want the public to
have this, them" Mr.. Kaiser re-
piled, waving his statement.
Sees Compliment in References.
We'll. get to it later" Senator
Ferguson retorted.
Senator Cain put In that the COM
mittee has only one interest-to get
at the facts" regarding the con-
tracts. He said Kaiser's statement
covered every subject under the
SUM-
Senator Cain. noting Mr.. Kaiser's
reference to damaging testimony
yesterday, said some of the refer
ences to Mr., Kaiser were compli-
mentary.
Mr.. Kaiser re5oined that he did
not consider it complimentary to be
put In a class with Diamond Jim"
Brady and Billy Sunday as super
salesman. He added that on the
contrary he considered it very
damaging"
Mr.. Meigs, now vice president of
the Hearst Corp, had described Mr..
Kaiser as lone of the worlds great
est statesmen, in a class with Dia-
mond Jim Brady and Billy Sunday" !"
Denies Heat" on Washington.
In his statement to the committee
Mr.. Kaiser categorically denied:
l. That he put "the heat of hell
on Washington" to build the cargo
planes as Secretary of the Interior
Krug declared last week.
2. That he was present at any of
the parties at which Mr.. Hughes
entertained high Government off,
Gals
8. That Elliott Roosevelt, son of
the late President, had anything to
do with the letting of the cargo
plane contract.
This committee Is welcome to