Evening star., 1948-10-20
House Probing Charge
OF Hatch Act Violation
henderson Campaign

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penditures by candidates and CAM
paigning by Government workers
mounted today with the presidential
and congressional elections less
than two weeks away.
In one case, the House Committee
on Publicity and Propaganda dis
closed that 1t has an investigator
looking into charges that Govern
ment workers are campaigning for
former Secretary of Agriculture
Clinton Anderson in New Mexico.
Mr.. Anderson Is running for the
Senate against Patrick j. Hurley,
Secretary of War in President
Hoover's cabinet, and Republican
nominee for the seat being vacated
by Senator Hatch, Democrat.
Committee Counsel Frank T. Bow
said numerous complaints had been
received that Government workers
from neighboring States were being
sent into New Mexico to work for
Mr.. Anderson by spreading the word
that funds for soil conservation, In
dian affairs, control of hoof and
mouth disease and other similar &C
tivities would be cut of If a Re-
publican Is elected.
Investigator Assigned.
Mr.. Bow said Richard Hodson of
Deming, N. Mex, former investiga-
tor for the committee, had been
assigned to make an inquiry. II
charges are found to be true, he
added, recommendations will be
made for prosecution under the
Hatch Act.
Another charge involving Govern
ment employees was made by Her
bert Brownell, jr., who accused the
Democrats Of "a brazen attempt to
sandbag" civil service workers into
contributing to President Truman s
campaign fund.
In a. statement issued last night,
Mr.. Brownell said several Govern
ment employees have received letters
containing very thinly veiled
threats Of reprisal against those who
do not contribute"
Photostat Released.
He released a photostat of a letter
said to have been sent to a Govern
ment employe by Aaron L. Ford,
chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional Committees Radio Time
Committee. The letter read: "Will
not you, having enjoyed the oppor-
tunities OF the Democratic admins
tration, help keep 1t in of1ce by
making a liberal contribution for
the President to continue a limited
number of radio broadcasts?"
In another case Representative
Harness, Republican, of Indiana
asked the General Accounting Of
flee to refuse payment for expenses
for what Mr.. Harness described as
the current political trip" by Sec
retary OF Interior Krug to the West
Coast. Mr.. Krug and several aides
left last month on what the Secre-
tary said was his annual inspection
tour Of Western projects.
In Albuquerque, N. Mex, Secre-
tary Krug told the Associated Press
that Mr.. Harness has the complete
itinerary of my trip, so he knows
that 1t isn't political" Mr.. Harness
is chairman of a subcommittee on
campaign publicity and expendi-
lures.
Krug Hits Dewey and Warren.
Gov. Dewey and Gov. Warren
are claim jumpers on the Demo-
cratic platform for Western devel-
opment," Mr. Krug added. And
they beth know very well they can't
find Republican Congress to back
up their promises to the West"
Meanwhile Senate investigators
were eyeing campaign expenditures
Of former Gov. Robert s. Kerr in
Oklahoma In his bid for o seat in
the Senate.
Nelson Deranian, chief counsel of
Senate subcommittee on elections,
said he is preparing . report to
show that expenditures by the mil
lionaire Mr.. Kerr exceeded sub
stantially" the limit Of 5000 fixed
by State law in the Democratic
primary. He said the committee
has had investigators In Oklahoma