Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-12-17
COP. Senators Order Anderson
To Produce Data on Spectators
REGARDLESS Of Where Chips Fall
Meeting Called
Today for Action
On Subpoena
BY the Associated Press

Senate Republican leaders de-
cided today that Secretary of
Agriculture Anderson should be
ordered to appear before a Sen
ate committee with all informa-
ton he has on grain and other
commodity trading.
The announcement was made by
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio,
chairman of the Republican Policy
Committee, afetr hastily called
meeting of the committee.
Senator Ferguson, Republican, of
Michigan said steps to subpoena
Mr.. Anderson would be taken by
the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee at a meeting set for 2 pm.
Senator Ferguson said the commit
tee intends to ask Mr.. Anderson for
all of the information he has re
CARELESS of where the chips fall"
Meanwhile, the House Rules
Committee sent to the House floor
a resolution to setup a seven man
committee to investigate speculation
on the commodity markets, espe-
cially by any person connected in
any way with the Federal Govern
ment.
Taft Blocks Barley Bill.
Senator Taft told reporters the
Policy Committee meeting was called
at the request of the Appropriations
Committee to consider Mr.. Ander-
sons refusal to make public any
information unless authorized to do
so by joint congressional resolution
Shortly after the Republican de-
cislon was announced, Minority
Leader Barley introduced legisla-
ton to authorize Secretary Ander-
son to make the information public,
but Senator Taft blocked immediate
consideration.
Senator Taft told the Senate he
objected to Senator Barkley's reso-
luton only because he believes there
is mo justification" under the exist
ing law for Mr.. Anderson's refusal
to give the traders names to the
committee. He added:
1T seems unWiSe to establish a
precedent where. every time men,
Der of the cabinet refuses to give
information to Congress we have to
pass a special law to get it."
Anderson COnsults Truman.
In a letter to Chairman Bridges
Of the Appropriations Committee,
Secretary Anderson suggested yes
terday that Congress adopt a joint
resolution land thereby legalize the
action which I shall then be glad
to take
Il have consulted President Tru-
man." Secretary Anderson said, land
am confident that he will approve
a joint resolution of Congress to
effectuate my suggestion that names
of traders be made available"
Senator Taft said 1.-The Secretary
is absolutely wrong under the law"
in refusing to furnish the committee
the information without resolution.
The Appropriations Committee is
trying to run down rumors that
Government officials used inside in
formation to profit in commodity
trading. The Agriculture Depart
ment has limited regulatory author
ity over commodity exchanges and
under this authority is able to COL
lect information on trading, includ-
ing names of traders.
Senator Taft said the committee
wants MIR. Anderson to provide all
the information that he has cover
ing everybody"
Taft Asks About Leaks.
Mr.. Anderson had suggested that
Congress adopt a resolution broad
enough to allow publication of names
of Congress members who have
speculated in commodities.
Senator Taft said the Republicans
want to know when Secretary An
derson made his last investigation of
the commodity exchanges and
whether there have been ANY leaks"
from the Government which may
have reached traders either in or out
of the Government"
The Republicans are prepared to
go to the brokers to obtain informa-
ton if necessary, Senator Taft add
ed
Senator Ferguson said he was
speaking for Chairman Bridges and
told reporters:
I'VE don't want a selected bit of
information that he (Anderson) may
want to send us. We want all the
information.
ReDraeepta two Andersen Pnp,Ib