Evening star., 1949-07-29
karagon on Stand
.Aqain 10 Tell Probers
OF Five Per Centers'
Testimony Of Onetime
White House Visitor
Called informative

Fast talking John Maragon,
dapper former bootblack and one
time frequent visitor to the White
House, was called back again to-
day for further questioning by
Senators investigating the activi-
ties of five per centers' in Wash
ington.
Mr.. Maragon spent more than
an hour yesterday before Senate
Expenditures subcommittee and
returned again this morning for
further questioning behind closed
doors. The subcommittee is in
vestigating the use of influence in
the awarding of Government con-
tracts.
"Ill be out in about Is minutes"
Mr.. Maragon said cheerfully to
reporters as he showed up at the
basement room of the Senate Of
fee Building being used by the in
vestigators. A Senate official. how
ever, said it would be much longer.
After Mr.. Maragon. who calls
many top Government officials
and members of Congress by their
first names, testified yesterday,
one Senate source said he gave
the subcommittee some plenty
hot stuff" But others and the
witness himself were more con-
servative in their appraisal of his
testimony.
Mr.. Maragon told reporters.
Honest, there is nothing in it yet.
There may be in couple of
weeks
More Probing Needed.
One of the Senators said the
committee has to do some addi-
tional investigating before Mr..
Maragon's testimony has any gen.
uine significance.
I'VE picked up some clues, some
new leads" this Senator said, but
we got nothing tangible. docu-
mentary or conclusive"
The Senators voted to open their
public hearings August 8. They
are seeking to learn whether in
f1uepce is being peddled here by
commission men or five per cent
ers" who tell businessmen they
can get them Government con-
tracts for fee.
Senator Hoey, Democrat, of
North Carolina, who heads the in
vestigating group, said he could
not announce now who the first
witness might be. The committee
wants to hear James v. Hunt, a
former Army colonel who has been
accused by a Massachusetts, busi-
nessman of selling influence for 4
fee. but Senator Hoey said Mr..
Hunts doctor has advised the sub
committee that Hunt has "heart
conditions which is rather seri-
ous."
Senators Explain Pictures.
Two Senators who are taking
part in the inquiry explained,
meanwhile, how their autographed
pictures happened to be on the
wall of Mr.. Hunts Office.
Senator Margaret Chase Smith,
Republican. of Maine, a commit
tee member, told a reporter. "Col.
Hunt is a casual acquaintance. We
have mutual friends. When he re-
quested an autographed picture, I
sent it to him."
The other Senator, Ferguson,
Republican, of Michigan, is no
longer a member Of the investi-
eating group. but he is preparing
legislation on five per centers"
and plans to sit in on the public
inquiry.
He said he did not remember
giving Mr.. Hunt the autographed
picture but said he did know Mr..
Hunt when the former Army Off
Ger was a liaison officer between
the Quartermaster Corps and the
Capitol.
when we on the Senate War
Investigating Committee wanted
facts, Hunt helped to get them,
Senator Ferguson said. He al
ways rendered good service. With
men In political life, it is not I'M
usual to give . picture to persons
when you are working with them"