Evening star., 1949-03-31
Illegal Coffee Deals
Are Charges Faced
By Maj. Gen. Bisse|I
BY the Associated Press

INJs Will HsSSSu
BY the Associated Press
FRANKFURT, Germany. Mar.
31.-Maj. Gen. Clayton L. Bissell
of the United States Air Force has
been charged with dealing illegally
in coffee in Germany, his attorney
disclosed here yesterday.
The attorney, John E. Hughes
Of Washington and Chicago. de-
MED the charge and predicted a
military inquiry now under way
will prove it to be utterly un-
founded. -
THE whole thing is only a
tempest in a teapot" he said. "The
only coffee Gen. Bissell ever sold
was in the legal barter market set
up by the Army to alleviate the
economic conditions in Germany"
The United States Air Force an
nounced earlier yesterday that
charges had been filed concerning
"acts allegedly committed while
Bissell was military and air at
tache at the United States En-
bassy in London from May. 1946,
to July. 1948."
Charges Investigated.
1t said these were being investi-
gated to determine whether he
should be brought before a court
martial. The investigation is be-
ing made by Maj. Gen. Edwin
B. Lyon.
Mr.. Hughes said the formal
charge against Gen. Bissell is
conduct unbecoming an officer
and gentleman" This is in
accord with routine procedure
when allegations against an Off
csr are to be investigated.
Mr.. Hughes said Gen. Bissell
was served with charges under the
96th Article OF War last month.
Gen. Bissell will benefit by a
change in the Articles of War that
permits him to be represented in
an investigation. This change
went into effect February /.
Gen. Bissell, Mr.. Hughes and
Gen. Lyon will go to London Sun
day, where Gen. Lyon hopes to
interview Embassy employees and
hear witnesses, Mr.. Hughes said.
Details Withheld.
The Air Force withheld details.
1t would not even say which Ar
ticle of War Gen. Bissell was ac-
cused Of violating.
However, the Air Force In
Washington reported last August
IA that anonymous letters had &C
.cused Gen. Bissell Of "unauthor-
lied transaction" while he was
stationed in London. A prelim-
mary study failed to establish the
validity of the accusations. it said,
but Air Secretary Symington Or
dered a further inquiry.
Mr.. Hughes said the investiga-
ton was based on a letter. signed
only Embassy Employe." accus-
ing Gen. Bissell of selling 1900
pounds of coffee Illegally in Ger
many. Copies, he said. were sent
to high governmental and Army
officials.
A longtime friend and former
schoolmate of the general at VAL
paraiso GndD University. the at
torney said Gen. Bisseu had sold
coffee only in the legal barter
market. -
Barter Markets Closed II M
In these barter markets. Amer
leans could trade in coffee, Gig
arettes and other items scarce IN
Germany. They would receive
barter points with which they
could obtain jewelry and other
valuables turned in by Germans.
The markets were closed last year
after being flooded with cigarettes.
Mr.. Hughes said the United
States Justice Department once
advised the Air Force that the
evidence did not justify prosecu-
ton.
(The Justice Department in
Washington said the Bissel
case is under consideration"
by it's Criminal Division. Alex
ander M. Campbell. chief Of
the Criminal Division, said no
decision has been reached as
to whether the facts are suff1-
cient to warrant any action in
civil courts.)
Gen. Bissell graduated from
Valparaiso University Law School
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