Evening star., 1947-12-18

tend the disclosure of names which
you now request. I have suggested
way whereby, as a public ofIicial
charged with the duty OF holding
information in confidence, I may be
enabled to disclose the information
you request without doing violence
to existing law"
But in the face of this, he said,
the committee has served him with
subpoena to produce all the in
formation it has gathered under the
act.
Il am confronted with a dilenama. !"
he said. I'm the first place, cannot
imagine myself in a position of re-
fusing to give a duly constituted
committee Of Congress information
1t has demanded. My mind rebels
at the thought. No matter how un-
fortunate the request, I respect it
because of the institution from
which 1t comes.
Alternative Distressing.
But the alternative Is also dis
tressing. My own study of the law
In question convinces me that I am
prohibited from disclosing some of
the information demanded by the
committee. My legal counsel advises
me that I am so prohibited except
under circumstances which do not
now exist. am legally and morally
responsible for my administrative
acts and Judgment. I cannot forget
that"
Secretary Anderson argued to the
Senators that in matters on which
cabinet officer must exercise dis
cretion mo committee of Congress
'"' has the right to compel him to
testify to that"
He said the fact the hearing was
closed to the public did not influence
his position.
If he makes the list public, Mr..
Anderson said, II will give it to the
committee and make it public at
the same time"
But at another point in bis testi-
mony, Mr.. Anderson said he had not
refused to divulge the list but that
he had said only he did not bring
1t with him.
Ferguson Wanted Public Admitted.
The transcript disclosed that on a
number of occasions during the
secret session Senator Ferguson
moved that the doors be opened and
the public admitted, and that Mr..
Anderson said hit had no objection.
Most of the early questions were
by Senator Ferguson regarding the
subpoena served on Mr.. Anderson
yesterday.
Senator Ferguson asked if Mr..
Anderson had the total volume Of
speculative trading for the calendar
years 1886 and 1947.
Eyes, sir" Mr.. Anderson was
quoted.
Next Senator Ferguson asked If
the Agriculture Department had a
record of prices on ~various ex-
changes and board of trades for the
same period.
Mr.. Anderson said 1t had copies
of the market reports published in
various daily newspapers.
Asks About Names
Then Senator Ferguson wanted to
know about the names of individuals
who had traded in grains, cotton
and other products supervised by
the Agriculture Department through
its commodity exchange authority.
Mr.. Anderson explained that in
formation is gathered only on large
accounts, 100000 bushels. or more
Of wheat, corn and other grains,
|25-carload lots of butter and 1000
ton lots Of mill feeds.
Senator Ferguson asked If these
names are available.
Partially" Mr.. Anderson replied
Mr.. Anderson said that 80 per
cent of the trading in wheat futures
was on the Chicago market and that
checks had been made on holdings
there for certain dates during the
two-year period.
While Mr.. Anderson was closeted
with the committee, Senator Jenper,
Republican, Of Indiana issued a
statement suggesting that the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation should
investigate the possibility Of infor-
nation leaks" from the Agriculture
Department.
Jenners Statement.
Senator Jenner said:
Reports that individuals with
inside information have reaped