Evening star., 1949-05-20
Rivers Demands
End LeoffIer's S
GoIfConcession
Urges Impoundine
OF All Funds From
Operation of Links

Representative Rivers, Demo-
crat, of South Carolina, in a
statement filed with the House
today, demanded that the Interior
Department Immediately termi-
nate the operation of public golf
courses here by the S, q. Leoffler
Co.. concessionaire.
The South Carolinian also de-
manded that all money being de-
rived from the public links and
their facilities be impounded.
His statement, inserted in the
Congressional Record, was a re-
rfewal of his attack on the Leof-
fer operations. begun some
months ago, leading to an 1nVes-
tigation of the company, its f.
nancing and it's operations by a
subcommittee of the House Public
Lands Committee.
Says 100000 Is Owed U. S.
While Mr.. Leoffler and his part
ners claim that the Government
owes them about 100000, Mr..
Rivers advised the House:
Even segments of information
coming to light on this fabulous
setup indicate now that in the
neighborhood of 100000 is owed
by Leoffier to the Government.
Apparently this had reference
to a report by Interior Department
auditors indicating that in the
five-year period from 1914 to 1948,
inclusive. the Leoff1er company re-
ceived 194,49427 in salaries and
profits which had been distrib-
uted.
This report showed that salaries
over th1 period totaled Sill, ,562.5o
and d Iributed profits $82,931.73.
Mr.. Leoff1er, the report indicated,
did not participate in the distri-
button of profits, leaving his share
to go to his three partners. The
report showed he had received
$42,500 in salary.
Study Not Concluded.
The audit report from the In
terror Department has been turned
over to the Public Lands subcom-
mittee which is headed by Repre-
sentative Redden. Democrat, of
North Carolina. The subcommit-
tee has not yet concluded its study
of the whole case.
Mr.. Rivers said that when he
first had demanded an investiga-
ton into the concession contract
between the Interior Department
and the Leoffler company many
members of the House thought I
was talking through my hat when
I stated that among other things
Leoff1er's franchise was more val
liable than an interstate license to
steal" -.-.-- ...
He added that the Interior De-
partment has demonstrated "in-
difference" to the general overall
Management of the golf courses.
He protested that Mr.. Leoff1er, for
five months, has been permitted
to remain as de facto operator"
of the links.
May Resume Next Week.
Mr.. Rivers concluded it was
high time, now, that the hearings
come to an early close. and I trust
that the committee will tolerate
no more double talk from the In
terror Department or its repre-
sentativeS."
Mr.. Redden is out of town today,
but his Office said a date for the
committee to continue the hear
ing would be set soon. Mr.. Red
den has indicated that he felt
change of control in the manage
ment of the golf courses is in
order.
The hearing is expected to re-
sumo next week.
The subcommittee has been
blocked in its efforts to finish up
the hearing because of the audit
which has been under way for
more than a month.
Records Held Inadequate.
The auditors report showed
that payment items totaling more
than $4,000 over the five years in
the books of the company were
unsupported by adequate records.
Practically all this resulted from
faulty accounting or careless busi-
ness methods. the report declared.
Mr.. Leoff1er has been operating
the courses without a contract
since January / when his last five-
year contract expired. The Dis
trict Recreation Board has main
tanned at previous hearings that
it is the proper agency to operate
the courses,