davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Bv Mirior Ottenbero

The men who boast of influence
in high places to sell their services
to contract-hungry businessmen
have coined a new phrase to de-
scribe themselves. It's know
who"
It's the men with know who
rather than "know-how" that the
Senate Investigations subcommit-
tee will be cunning for when pub
lie hearings open next week on
the activities of five percenters. -
There's nothing illegal in their
operations but the Senators hope
to put a considerable crimp in
their activities.
The committee, it was learned,
hopes to prove that:
/. The activities of five per-
centers" cost the Government
and ultimately the taxpayers
plenty Of money.
2. Businessmen are paying ex-
orbitant fees for dubious services.
8. Businessmen who doS't get
the contracts they seek can't be-
lieve their bids were thrown out
for legitimate reasons If they
know a five percenter" is in
volved.
Fees to Agents Prohibited.
At present, it was explained
contracts to be awarded to the
lowest bidder carry q prohibition
against the payment of contingent
fees to agents.
The committee contends that
some manufacturers are paying
no attention to this prohibition
If a five per center" represents
company which gets the bid, he
takes his cut. The only penalty
for failure to disclose such a fee
is resembling the contract or Pc
nalizing the manufacturer to the
extent of the fee.
There Is no criminal provision
now for failure to disclose such
fees. The committee contends it
should be a crime not to disclose
fees.
Fees Add to Costs.
The idea Of the Government
is to get as many people as pos
sible to bid and to award the con-
tract to the lowest bidder" ex-
planned Committee Counsel Will
liam P. Rogers. so the idea OF
manufacturer paying somebody
to get a contract under those
conditions doesn't make sense
The only reason a manufacturer
would pay that kind of a con-
tingent fee is because the five per
center" has represented he has
some influence, some way OF
maneuvering to get the contract
for the manufacturer"
The manufacturer who offers
the lowest bid may be disqualified
for a variety Of legitimate rea-
sons but If he knows competitor
had q five per center" working
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Mason
Frono First Par

Continued From First Page)
Mr.. Mason and another deputy
sheriff.
The radio man, whose broad
casts often were vigorous apd per-
sonal, had criticized the sheriff's
department. One night he was
called out of bowling alley and
beaten slightly. Mr.. Mason
laughed it off as token beating.
The same night Deputy Sheriff
Charlie Brand went to justice
of the peace. pleaded guilty to
simple assault and paid S. fine.
Reams said there is consider
able high feeling at Alice today"
An examining trial for Smit B.
wick is set for 10 am. Tuesday.
The deputy pleaded innocent at
an arraignment yesterday. Funer-
al services and burial for Mr.. Ma
son will be held in Alice tomorrow.
Mr.. Reams said today, from
nearby Falfurrias, that: II can
tell you that we have statements
from eye witnesses.
One statement was made by
Avelino Saenz. who was with Mr..
Mason in an automobile when the
commentator was shot. Mr.. Saenz
jumped out of the car, narrowly
escaping the bullet which tore
through the radio man.
Mr.. Reams said "We are very
interested in learning exactly what
Bill Mason had to say about
Smithwick. Mr.. Mason did not
make records of his broadcasts.
But I have learned that Mason
wrote out every word he said on
the radio. and I am very hopeful
that somewhere, in his effects,
the texts of the pertinent broad
casts will be found"
During the minor beating he
took five months ago, Mr.. Mason's
trousers somehow came off.
Next day, Mr.. Mason hung the
trousers on a pole in the down.
town section, with an attached
placard. The placard said the
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Cutter Speeds 10 Honolulu
With Boy, s, Polio Victim
By the Assoeiofed Press

HONOLULU, July 30.-A 6-year-
old stricken with infantile paraly-
sis in mid Pacific was placed in an
iron lung today aboard the Coast
Guard cutter Iroquois
The cutter then turned and
raced for Honolulu. nearly 1000
miles to the south. 1t is due about
5 am. I'll am. EDIT tomorrow.
The child. John Driskell. was
stricken while en- route home from
Yokohama with his parents, Sergt.
and Mrs. Percy E. Driskell of
South Portland, Me.
The Army transport Gen. Will
liam o. Darby turned aside from
its course for San Francisco and
made contact with the Iroquois at
2:l5 am, the Coast Guard re-
ported. At $50 am. Hawaiian
time), the child was transferred to
the cutter by basket stretcher and
boat and placed in the iron lung
that the cutter had brought from
Honolulu. His father accompanied
him.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
CAP Cadets Start 7 Weeks
OF Air Traininq TODAY

Civil Air Patrol cadets who fly
and study aeronautics only part
time for so weeks of the year are
to begin a solid two weeks Of it
at Andrews Air Force Base today.
Cadets from the nine squadrons
of the National Capital Wing
start their annual encampment
for ground school training, in
cluding meteorology. navigation,
engines and aircraft safety.
Orientation flights in Air Force
aircraft also will be given.
Twenty-four cadets are to re-
port at headquarters, Room 118.
Tariff Commission building. at 10
am. today for transportation to
Andrews Base.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Destroyer Still Aground
with Reservists Aboard
BY The Associated Press

CHATHAM, Mass. July 30
The Navy Destroyer Livermore.
with 270 New England reservists
aboard, was still aground tonight
despite efforts of three vessels to
float her.
The 1,630-ton ship grounded
last night on Bearse shoal. about
a mile off Monomy Point near
here. while en- route to Boston
from a Bermuda cruise. The Navy
said the craft was in no danger.
Boston Coast Guard headquar-
tiers said two Navy Tugs and the
Coast Guard cutter Hornbeam got
lines aboard the Livermore today
at high tide but failed to free her.
Another effort will be made.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Liquor Stores Report
Little Extra Buying
To Beat Sales Tax

There was little increased
liquor buying here last night
in anticipation of the sales
tax and the increase in the
cost of liquor licenses which
went into effect at midnight.
retail liquor dealers reported
last night.
Store after store he'd the
same report-"We sold a few
case lots extra but nothing
to get excited about"
One dealer said the in
creased buying did not COM
pare with the rush IN 1942
when a much larger increase
in the Federal excise tax
went into effect.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
AHIee RidicuIes Plea
By Churchill 10 Return.
To Private Enterprise
By the Assoeioied Press

LONDON. July 3o.-Prime Min
lister Attlee said today that Win
ston Churchill could tell it to the
Marines-but not to miners-that
Britain needs q revival OF free
private enterprise to save her from
chaos.
HE contrasts the state with
the pliable and flexible private
owner" Mr.. Atlee said. Tell that
one to the Marines. He'd better
not tell it to the miners"
The Prime Minister defended
the Labor Governments moves
since 1945 toward Socialism, in
cluding naturalization Of coal
mines, in Saturday afternoon po-
litical speech.
Charges Termed Mean, Stupid.
He accused Mr.. Churchill of
making mean, stupid and irrespon-
sible charges in a Conservative
Party policy speech week ago at
Wolverhampton. Labor strong
hold. Mr.. Churchill is now on va
cation in Italy.
The wartime Prime Minister had
charged labor was leading Britain
to the brink of Communism and
economic chaos, and declared it
must be unSeated in the 1850
general elections.
How disgraceful it is to try to
make people believe that all our
difficulties are due to Socialist
mismanagement," Mr.. Attlee said
in his reply.
"Mr. Churchill let himself go
in abuse and Misrepresentation of
the grossest kind. The only seri-
GUS thing is that this abuse and
these accusations. may be taken
seriously in other countries ~
Morgenthau Quoted.
Mr.. Attlee said Britain's present
plight was recognized as inevitable
during the war by Mr.. Churchill
himself. He quoted from an article
by Henry Morgenthau, jr.. then
Secretary of the Treasury. report
ing on an interview in which the
Conservative leader told him
Britain was certain to be poor "for
some years to come" because of
her war losses.
He took special exception to
what he called Mr.. Churchill's
"effrontery'' in saying nationaliza-
tion had worsened the lot of
British workers. He asked If the
Conservative leader had forgotten
the plague of unemployment un-
der Conservative rule between the
two world wars, particularly in
mining areas.
The Prime Minister said ne
never had been slow to acknowl-
edge Mr.. Churchill's great services
during the war, "but during these
last four years he had. bad re-
lapse into irrespon6ibility and
party spite" . J.
Mr.. Attlee's speech and Mr.
Churchill's of week ago sounded
the keynotes of the fight over
whether Socialist or Conservative
policies shall dominate British life
for the five years after 1850.
The Prime Minister made his
dry. but pointed reply to about
1900 followers in his own Lon.
don constituency. Walthamston.
He was introduced as "Comrade
Att1ee."
Evening star., 1949-07-31

chandise shipped into the Dis
trict, the Virginia merchant col
lects the tax. for the District.
Experience has shown that the
shopper who carries his own mer-
chandise back saves little after
transportation and time costs are
figured.
Computing Methods Studied.
The problem of setting up the
simplest methods of computing
tax on their gross receipts has
concerned merchapts and their
trade association.
The District Pharmaceutical
Association. with the tentative
approval of sales tax officials, is
experimenting with a method of
determining a sales tax factor
to apply to monthly receipts.
This is accomplished by use of
a tabulator which records the
tax on each sale.
If proved practicable. it would
relieve druggists of the necessity
of adding extra keys to their cash
register to designate taxed and
nontaxed sales and would prevent
involved bookkeeping.
The Washington Restaurant AS
sociation is experimenting with
the same method.
Association officials have sought
to acquaint their 1000 members
with the new regulations, includ-
ing the fact that all restaurant
and tavern owners must register,
even though most of their meals
cost less than s1.26 cents.
Despite this, hardly one-third of
the members had applied for reg
iStration by Friday evening.
How the merchant will fare
financially in his role of tax COL
lector for the Government is a
moot point. Some officials hardly
expect the "breakage" from small
cost items to offset the added ex-
pense of record-keeping.
A study of a similar tax system
in New York State showed the
merchants were clearing 61a cents
on each 81 of tax returns. But
most experts here are doubtful if
local results will prove as profit
able.
The question is whether the Dis
trict collection system, or that of
Maryland, where the merchant
turns in all his collections less 8
per cent, will prove better for the
retailer.
In any event. both retailer and
consumer may take solace in one
thought today. Twenty-seven
States and many municipalities
beat the District to the sales tax
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Five Percenters' Get Fees BY 'Know-Who'

ment where the contract was
awarded.
The activities of "five per
centers," it was brought out. are
not limited to getting contracts.
Fees may also be paid on their
representations that they can
help a manufacturer escape from
paying a penalty, get delivery
dates postponed and make an
advantageous purchase of surplus
from the Government.
The committees attention Is
focused as much on the appear
ance of preferential treatment as
on the possibility that some manu-
facturers are getting better
break than others via the "flve
per center" route.
A manufacturer doing business
through ordinary channels. with
out help from a man with know
who" might decide to call an
agency head in an effort to cut
red tape. He would get no further
than the officials secretary. who
would suggest he talk to some one
further down the line for in
formation.
That official would then refer
him to the field Office where the
contract was to be awarded. There
he would be told to file his bid.
Clearing house Urged.
Now. says the committee, sup
pose the manufacturer is tipped
to see a man who says he knows
everybody who is anybody. The
manufacturer takes the tip. He
presents his problem to the five
per center" who picks up the tele-
phone and Immediately gets
through to the head man. The
businessman accompanies the
agent to the officials Office, views
the flrst-name-callin and gets
the chance he's wanted to tell his
story. If he gets the contract after
that, he is convinced the five
per center" has influence - even
though the agency may not have
lifted a finger to help him.
The committee hopes to put a
dent in these friendly gestures by
establishing a code of ethics that
would make it more difficult for
five percenters" to use friend
ships for profit.
Senator Hoey also is hopeful Of
getting central clearing house Of
procurement information estab-
lished here SO the businessman
won't feel in need of five per
center" when he sets out to do
business with the Government.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Col. SuIzmun to Retire
As Marine General

The Marine Corps announced
yesterday that Col. Elmer H. Salz-
man, now on duty in the Office of
the Chief of Naval Operations,
would be advanced to the rank Of
brigadier general and retired after
more than 20 years service.
Gen. Salzman, who holds the
Navy Cross for action during the
Nicaraguan campaign in 1928, lives
st 401 Cherry street, Falls Church.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Pomonkey Vacation School

The Board of Education of the
Metropolitan Methodist Church
School, Pomonkey, Md, will hold
a vacation school tomorrow
through August IL, the Rev. F. D.
Bradford, pastor, announced. The
Rev. j. w. Key is superintend-
ent of the school.
Evening star., 1949-07-31
Question Of Legality
Raised as Congress
Starts Overtime
BY the Associated Press

Congress goes into extra in
nings this week. and some men,
bers who think it isn't legal are
getting ready to blow the whistle.
Some Republicans say a cloud
of uncertainty may hang over
any bills enacted hereafter:
The claim that action taken
after July 81 is invalid grows out
of the 1946 Congressional reor-
ganization Act which says that.
except in time of war or national
emergency, Congress shall ad-
journ not later than July 81 un-
less it orders otherwise.
1t hasn't ordered otherwise. but
is going ahead with business any
how. perhaps through August or
later.
Still Legally at War.
Congressional leaders have de-
creed that the 1946 adjournment
deadline is not operative this year
because the United States legally
is still at war and the emergen-
cies proclaimed by the President
have not been ended. The war,
they hold. technically does not
end until the peace treaties are
signed, and the wartime emer-
gency periods continue until spe-
cifically ended.
Republicans led by Representa-
tive Martin of Massachusetts, think
the war and national emergency
argument is "f1imsy," and have
tried to get action on a resolution
extending the session.
Mr.. Martin told reporters he
would not be surprised to see the
validity of any major bill enacted
after July 81 challenged on the
ground Congress is not legally ir
session. He said he saw no reason
for failure to play safe" and pass
a resolution formally extending
the session.
Point of Order Likely.
Some members. he said. un-
doubtedly will make a point OF
order" against any bill called up
If it is controversial and impor-
tant. That would lay the ground
work for future court tests.
Representative jenkins. Repub-
lican. of Ohio. said he would not
make a formal challenge against
bills. but "if I were a lawyer and
a client was affected by anything
enacted after July 81, certainly
would make the point in court.
Republicans generally want
Congress to adjourn and they
want the Democrats to set a def
mite adjournment date. But the
Democratic leadership isn't ready
to set the exact date because OF
legislative uncertainties.
Protest Long Week Ends.
Around Labor Day. we hope.
is the usual comment from Dem
ocrats when asked about the adj
journment outlook. ~ ..'
II the Democrats insist. on stay
ing, in session, Western sRepubli-
cans in the House intend to try
to make them work five days q
week.
They have served notice that
hereafter they will object to long
weekend recesses which, they
claim. only allow New York, Penn
sylyania and other nearby mem
bers to 60 home. st.f a.s.., I. s'sas:s.s. 81
Representative Hoeven; Repub-
lican, of Iowa, who has assumed
the role of official objector to long
weekend recesses, said Western
and Midwestern members would
like to go home, too. but the only
way they can do so Is for Con-
gress to stay on the job until il
can quit for keeps.
Evening star., 1949-07-31

I'm not denying anything. I'll
refer you to the Government rec
ords.''
A few minutes later, as report
ers followed him through the cor
ridors of the Senate Office Build
iEg, he said he had not made any
such statement.
Finally, he demanded, do you
expect me to write my personal
business on a penny postcard and
hand it to YOU to mail it?"
Evening star., 1949-07-31

for him. he will never believe he
didn't lose out simply because
he didn't hire one, too. the COM
mittee believes.
The contention that five per
centers" cost the Government
money is based on the theory that
the fee of the agent is added as
an item of cost, like raw materials
and labor.
Hoey Explains Policy.
The committee has no objection
to manufacturers representatives
paid for their ability as merchan-
dizers, statesmen or experts on
procurement procedures. Such
men work full or part time for a
company and are paid regular
salaries.
The committees guns, however,
are trained on the men who get
q bulky retainer and another
81 900 or more a month from a
number Of firms for working an
unspecified number of hours
without any apparent training for
such tasks. On top of that, they
collect a fancy contingent fee.
On that score, Senator Hoey,
Democrat, of North Carolina,
who heads the committee. ex-
planned:
"The committee wants to make
1t perfectly clear that any manu-
facturer or other person or cor
poration dealing with the Gov
ernment has a perfect right to
have an attorney. technician, en-
gineer or specialist of any kind
who legitimately represents him
but the committee feels all such
representatives should be dis
closed to the agency with which
the person or corporation is deal
ing so the agency would know
the party is engaged as a repre-
sentative doing business with the
Government"
Publicity Sought as Deterrent.
Senator Hoey emphasized that
a Government agency and its
officials should know-on the basis
of statement from the employ
ing flrm-that the man who rep
resents himself as wanting to dc
a favor for a friend or speaking
a casual good word is actually
being paid for this.
Government officials" said the
legislator, should be Informed
that this is a commercial propo-
sition, that the party is being paid
for this casual conversation OF
good-natured suggestion.
Proponents of legislation fore
ing manufacturers to disclose theil
fees to Washington agents con.
tend firms would hesitate to pay
and therefore disclose-a huge
fee where there was no tangible
evidence of a service being. per.
formed. This would be particu.
larly true, they believe, where the
agent was known to be a "gooC
friend" of a person in the depart
Evening star., 1949-12-07
Bv John A. Giles

It's getting harder and harder
to get into the armed forces,
While all the services have
drastically reduced the number OF
new men they will accept this
month, the Air Force also has
raised the intelligence score 1t
requires of new recruits from 80
to 100 and changed the minimum
enlistment period from three to
four years. 4
The Navy discontinued three
year enlistment periods and re-
verted to its normal peacetime
program of recruiting enlisted
personnel for periods Of either
four or six years.
The Army and Marine Corps
still accept threeryear enlistees.
The air arm will accept $500
new volunteers in December; the
Navy, 900; the Marine Corps, TAO,
and the Army, 5000. All are at
tempting to cut back their overall
Evening star., 1949-12-07
AAA Asks Approval
Here Of SeIf-SeYice
Gas Filling Stations

The American Automobile Asso-
citation wants motorists to have
the right to buy cheaper gasoline
from self-service filling stations.
An effort will be made by the
District Division, AAA, to get ap-
proval for such new-style stations,
despite the objection of Fire De-
partment officials, who are afraid
the system would constitute a fire
hazard.
The proposal for self-service
stations was recommended at a
meeting of the District Advisory
Board to the AAA In the May
flower Hotel yesterday.
Points to Savings.
Pointing out that self-service
stations save motorists in some
States from 3 to cents a gallon
on gasoline, Richard w. Tupper OF
the national AAA told the group it
was incumbent on the District
Club to take whatever action Is
necessary to get self-service for
those who want It,"
District Fire Marshal Raymond
C.: Roberts said today he has op-
posed self-service stations be-
cause put a dangerous COM
modify in the hands of unsuper-
vised customers" He strongly OBJ
jects to the slot machine type Of
gasoline pumps. But he didn't
see so much danger in stations
where the customers operates the
pump under supervision of at
tendants, who watch for dangers,
and collect the money personally.
Several States already have
barred self service gas stations,
Mr.. Roberts said, because Of the
danger Of fire.
Road Encroachment Hit.
The District Club also was urged
to promote zoning of highways toI
prevent "encroachment" by in
creasing roadside ribbon devel-
opment." including signs. which
generally result IN roadside
blight"
A model law such as that en-
acted by North Dakota to protect
m o florists against "deleterious
anti-freeze solutions" should be
asked of Congress for the District,
Mr.. Tupper said. Fourteen States
he said, have adopted similar laws
preventing sale of damaging So
lutions.
The AAA also will make a fight
against legislation pending in
Congress to throw large propor-
ton of Federal aid into purely To-
cal roads, Mr.. Tupper said. 1t will
urge the strategic network Of in
terstate roads be completed in Is
years and at least half of federal
aid go to this network.
Charles H. Tomkins, chairman
Of the Advisory Board presided.
Evening star., 1949-12-07
FREDDIE GIVES
TIP 70 BOYS
ADVERTISEMENT. A

"Bet can lick my weight IN
Wildcats since I got to eating
Ranger Joe cereal." says Freddie
Goodman, age 10.
Well, there's . tip for all you
future All-American football
stars. Ranger Joe Popped Wheat
is q real training table breakfast.
1907 whole wheat. Helps build
muscle, not fat. And wait till
you taste that wonderful honey
flavor, that crunchy goodness! |!
Try Ranger Joe and it'll be your
cereal for keeps.
Evening star., 1949-12-07
Armed Forces Requirements
lon New EnIistments Tiqhtened

strength gradually so they will
close the fiscal year next June 80
with totals to be allowable under
the defense budget for the follow
ing fiscal year.
While there are drastic restric-
items on the number Of new re-
cruits this month-ordinarily q
poor recruiting month-the Air
Force will be somewhat more
lenient for the next two months.
In January, $500 recruits will be
accepted and in February, $500.
There are no restrictions on the
number of men who may re-enlist
Evening star., 1949-12-07
Southeast Council Elects
J, Y. Moran President

Joseph v. Moran headed a new
slate of officers elected last night
at q meeting Of the Southwest
Council of Citizens Associations.
,Other officers named were:
William ]. Smith, first vice presi-
dent, William r. Yearwood, second
vice president: s. Raymond
Smith, secretary; Richard l..
Evening star., 1949-12-07
Shoap, assistant secretary. and

Shoap. assistant secretary. and
William B. Phalen. treasurer.
The group voted opposition to
the Neely bill for establishment
of a District Commission on HUI
man Rights. It also called for
the appointment of a committee
to work for. closer cooperation
with local dealers in restricting
the sale of real estate.
After some consideration, the
council went on record simply in
favor of a bridge north of the
Sousa bridge, purposely establish
ing a position of neutrality in the