Evening star., 1950-08-17
Senate Probers Hear
; Witnesses Detail
Shimon Wire-Tapping
(See WIRE-TAPPING, Page Az.

was tor"
Both policemen who preceded
Mr.. TAFT on the stand were as
signed to help 1t. Shimon in his
work for Mr.. Fay's Office before
the time of the alleged wire-tap-
ping incidents.
Detective Bryant said he
thought his assignment to listen
In on private telephone conversa-
tions was rather unusual" He
said he asked 1t. Shimon If Mr.
Fay was aware of it. He said 1t,
Shimon replied. Mr.. Fay knew
of the investigation and of what
we were doing"
He said 1t. Shimon had told
him the work was for a Senate
investigation committee and that
from reading the papers he
learned of the inquiry which was
about the wartime contracts OF
Mr.. Hughes.
Proud" of Assignment.
II was proud to have such an
assignment for a Senate commit
tee," Detective Bryant said. but
later he declared he became sus-
picious and finally refused to dc
any more tapping.
Today's open hearing in the
Senate ONCE Building caucus
room followed efforts by con-
gressional and judicial groups to
determine whether police here
supplied services, for fees, in the
1e47 investigation of plans for
monopoly overseas airplane
service, involving a Government
subsidy.
Brought Up Feud.
In that battle a bitter feud de-
veloped between Senator Brewster
Republican, of Maine, and
Mr.. Hughes over the suggested
merger of Pan American and
i 4TdIlS- w vi III AlIlCo.
Then I knew this was not for
any Senate committee because
1t. Shimon never criticized me
or did anything about it.
"A member of the Police De-
partment simply does not refuse
to carry out instructions or he
would be taken before a trial
board"
Detective Bryant said he first
became suspicious when he and
a fellow officer on the same as
signment. Detective Sergt. George
Robson, were walking through
the Mayflower Hotel lobby one
night and saw Mr.. Nolan sitting
there.
When we approached, Mr..
Nolan raised newspaper so that
it hid his face" Detective Bryant
said, and I'VE concluded 1t. Shi-
mon had sent him there to spy
on U.S." p
He said he and Sergt. Robson
we're very angry" Il was right
upset and it brought doubt to my
mind that we had been working
for a Senate committee. l couldn' t
believe Mr.. Nolan would have any
part in this"
Didn't Want to Continue.
He said he called up 1t. Shimon
TO talk about Mr.. Nolan and told
him that he didn't want to go on
with the investigation. 1t. Shi-
mon. ne said, hung up the tele-
phone.
The name of Henry w. Grune-
wald. repeatedly former employe
of Pan-American Airways, which
was involved in the 1947 Senate
inquiry. was brought into the
testimony.
Mr.. McHale said at one time
he saw 1t. Shimon confer with
Mr.. Grunewald at a place near
the Mupsey Trust Building.
Detective Bryant, during his
account of conversations he over
heard at the Mayfiower, said
there was a lot of talk about
Mr.. Hughes business. He said
these conversations were with
either a Mr.. Dietrich or Mr..
Slack, who were agents of the
plane-builder. This was a refer
ence to Moan Dietrick of the
Hughes Tool Co. and Thomas
Slack. Hughes attorney, both
of whom participated in the
l947 hearings.
Detective Bryant said at one
time there was an incoming call
from Mr.. Hughes and when he
started to tell Mr.. Dietrich or Mr..
Slack where he was, the man
told Mr.. Hughes he did not want
to know because he might have to
testify as to where Mr.. Hughes
was.
Tells of Demonstration.
1t. Shimon. Detective Bryant
said. took him to a room in the
Carlton Hotel, demonstrated how
to hookup a telephone wire tar
to a telephone box in the room
and how to attach a microphone
to the bottom of a door to caves
drop on non-phone conversations
He said the lieutenant gave him
a notebook, paper and pencils
with which to write down any,
thing he might hear over either
tap.
He told me advance men foi
Howard Hughes were going to oc-
cupy the adjoining room and il
was my job to listen and report
to him on the conversations.
Detective Bryant testified that
the tapping of Mr.. Hughes phone
took place at the Carlton and that
the eavesdropping on Hughes
staff was at the Mayflower.
The witness told of going to the
Mayhower with 1t. Shimon and OF
being instructed by 1t. Shimon tt
remove his coat and tie and to roll
up his sleeves so it would appear
he was workman. 1t. Shimor
did the same, Detective Bryant
Soid