Evening star., 1949-08-18
Truman Asks Public to Suspend
Judqment on Gen. Vaughan
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Pageo
was that the committee had taken
testimony behind closed doors.
Most of the favorable testi-
mony" concerning Gen. Vaughan
was behind closed doors, he added
Many of the unfavorable stories
resulted from leaks" he declared
The President also remarked
that the subcommittee session al
which Gen. Vaughan will testify
will be open. He said there would
be field day when the general
discusses the matters with which
his name has been connected.
The President made it abun-
dainty clear that he does not
approve of the way the hearings
have been handled.
Gen. Vaughan was present al
the news conference. He stood
behind table to the rear of the
Presidents desk.
Stresses Secret Sessions.
Some of the reporters took is
sue with the Presidents statement
that the sessions had been closed.
The President replied that most
of the sessions had been in secret,
particularly If they were friendly
to Gen. Vaughan"
A reporter remarked that the
question might arise as to whom
the President blamed for his be-
lief that testimony favorable tc
Gen. Vaughan had not come out.
The President said the reporter
would have to draw his own con-
clusions. He added that he would
have no further comment on the
matter.
Gen. Vaughan's name has come
up repeatedly at the open hear
ings of the Senate Expenditures
Subcommittee. This was mainly
in connection with activities in
behalf of a California race track
seeking a building permit when
materials were scarce. and efforts
of New Jersey molasses firm to
get a permit for additional mo-
lasses after the company had
been accused of violating a sugar
rationing order In 1916. Gen
Vaughan also was mentioned in
connection with gifts of a number
of home freezer units.
Based on Woods Testimony.
The committee was in recess
until Tuesday. but there were
these developments:
/. Senator Mccarthy said he
was basing his demand for Gen
Vaughan's resignation as veterans
co-ordinator on testimony by
Housing Expediter Tighe Woods
which. Senator Mccarthy said
indicated Gen. Vaughan promoted
the race track construction at the
expense of veterans housing.
2. Rumors that the investiga-
ton was getting too hot for COM
fort in Democratic quarters were
countered by fiat statement from
Chairman Hoey, that neither
President Truman nor any one al
the White House nor anywhere
else had put any pressure on him
or made any suggestion about
how the = Investigation shoulo
proceed.
Perjury Indictment Urged.
3. Alex M. Campbell, assistant
attorney general in charge of the
criminal division, said the Justice
Department had received no re.
quests for perjury citations from
the committee but added, ~rIf we
get such requests they will be
vigorously pursued" Senator
Mccarthy yesterday urged the
committee to demand a perjury
indictment against John Maragon
Capital man about town and good
friend of Gen. Vaughan.
4. Mr.. Maragon. after telling
The Star he was sure he would be
able to explain things to the COM
mittee If called to testify, wound
up by saying: "As far as I'm con-
cerned, I will answer any ques-
tions my attorney advises me to
answer"
The committee was told yester-
day that Mr.. Maragon was paid
$1,318 in 1916 for his unsuccessful
efforts to persuade the Agriculture
Department to lift a suspension
order which barred the Allied Mo-
lasses Co. from buying molasses.
Sworn testimony given in secret
session by Mr.. Maragon, as read
into the public hearing, quoted
him as saying he had not received
any pay for doing business with
the Government. Assistant Chief
Counsel Francis D. Flanagan testi-
fed that a study of Mr.. Maragon's s
income tax returns for 1945 to 194s
showed no mention was made OF
payments from Allied Molasses or
from Milton POLAND. representing
the company.
When Mr.. Maragon was in
formed that Senator Mccarthy
was demanding he be indicted
for perjury, Mr.. Maragon told
-