Evening star., 1950-08-20
Senate Probers
Seeking Records
In Shiimon Files
Policemen Will Face
GriIIing When Pepper
Group Reconvenes

Group Reconvenes
Senate overlapping investiga-
tors are doing a bit of sleuthine
on their own for records which
will throw more light on Police
1t. Joseph w. Simmons detective
work.
They are particularly interested
In any records left in his files
when 1t. Shimon transferred to
"the sticks" after the wire-tap-
ping he admits he did while chief
investigator for United States At
torney George Morris Fay.
Some such records supposedly
were left behind, but investigators
doubted that they would be found.
1t appeared probable that Mr..
Fay would be called on to testify
after the Pepper subcommittee
resumes public hearings Tuesday.
But 1t. Shimon himself is sched-
uled for long questioning first in
an effort to learn what he heard
while eavesdropping.
Hughes May Be Called.
Another angle was the possibil-
ity that the Senators would call
Howard Hughes, wealthy West
Coast plane builder. whose hotel
phone wires we're tapped by 1t.
Shimon in 1947 while Mr.. Hughes
wartime contracts were under
congressional examination.
Underlying that investigation
was a clash of interests between
Mr.. Hughes, major owner of
Trans World Airlines, and Sena-
tor Brewster, Republican, Of
Maine, who backed Pan Ameri-
can airways in a controversy over
a proposed merger of overseas
airlines.
Senator Brewster has revealed
he paid 1t. Shimon 500 or $125
for expenses incurred when the
policeman pursued Shadow
following the Senator. THE
shadow" was identified as Abner
w. Chick" Lappin, now reported
to be in Mexico City. There was
little chance he would be brought
here to testify.
Discrepancy To Be Probed.
1t. Shimon undoubtedly will be
asked to explain the discrepancy
in the 500 to $125 figure Sena-
tor Brewster said he paid him
and the s236 or $240 1t. Shimon
repeatedly told the investigators
In closed session that he had re-
ceived.
Interest yesterday centered
around the report of a tongue
lashing given Mr.. Fay by Sena-
tor Nicely, Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia,. in recent executive ses-
sion. - @
Senator Neely'S attack was
based on his charge that Mr.. Fay
had thrown cold water" on the
Senate investigation through his
reported explanation to the press
why there was no indictment of
1t. Shimon.
Mr.. Neely accused Mr.. Fay of
having "prejudiced" the investi-
cation by the published report
denying the grand jury investiga-
ton was "whitewash."
Proof Held Lacking.
Mr.. Fay insisted that every
thing possible was done to prose-
cute the case, but that proof was
lacking that the detective had
"divulged" his wire-tap informa-
tion to others. The prosecutor
also has denied he had any inten-
tion of interfering with the Sen
ate inquiry.
Some question also has arisen
whether Mr.. Fay was quoted ex-
actly from his press interview.
But at the executive session
Mr.. Nicely was far from satisfied
and went so far as to shoot al
Mr.. Fay:
II think you have been under
suspicion as much as Shimon."
Senator Nicely was said to have
posed this question to Mr.. Fay:
What in the world would make
you assume that people are goine
to feel that this was a whitewast
unless there was something ir
your mind that was telling you
that this investigation before tht
grand jury had not been thorough
and complete?"
Answered Reporters Query.
Mr.. Fay was said to have re-
piled that the statement was ir
response to a specific question by
reporter.
Senator Nicely also had some
pointed remarks about 1t. Shi.
mon. including that "he shoule
not be kept on the police force.
"A man who will invade the
rights of people who come here
on lawful business. by setting ur
overlapping devices and obtain.
ing information about converse.
tions that are none of his bust.
ness, particularly when it is don,
by man who is sworn to enforct
the law-that kind of man ough
to be in JAIL" Senator Neely said
He also said at the hearing il
which Mr.. Fay testified that ANY.
one who aids or abets that sor
of thing. in my opinion, ought tt
be behind bars"
Mr.. Fay formally has deniet
that he knew anything about 1t
Simmons overlapping until
year ago when police began al
investigation. The lieutenant i'm
mediately was transferred from
the prosecutors Office to an out
lying precinct.
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