Evening star., 1950-06-02
Lee Custer Pressed
As He Claims Sawyer
Fears Investigation
Br the Asseeiotsd Press

The Com merce Department
pressed custer proceedings against
two trade officials today In the
face of an accusation that the
real reason for its action is fear
Of a congressional investigation.
Department officials said "mal-
administration" charges are being
prepared against William w. Rem
ington similar to those handed
yesterday to Michael E. Lee.
Both Mr.. Remington and Mr..
Lee are $10000-a-year officials of
the departments Office Of inter-
national trade. Both have denied
congressional charges that they
are poor security risks; both have
refused to quit, as requested by
Secretary of Commerce Sawyer.
Must Answer in 5 Days.
Mr.. Lee was notified yesterday
that he will be fired unless he can
refute the maladministration ac-
cusation within five days.
He retorted in a statement that
the accusation was a subterfuge:
That Secretary Sawyer had yield
ed to an "ultimatum" by some
Senators that the department
would be investigated unless Mr.
Lee was discharged.
Mr.. Sawyer has said that his
action against the two men is
grounded "in the interest of good
administration" rather than on
the issue of loyalty.
While the department refused
to give any details about the
charge against Mr.. Lee, it's basis
already had been indicated by AS
sistant Secretary of Commerce
Thomas C. Blaisdell, Mr.. Lees
direct boss.
Complaints on Discipline.
Mr.. Blaisdell told a congress
sional committee back in Febru-
ary, it was learned, that there had
been complaints by certain people
who were disciplined by Mr.. Lee
for not doing their work properly.
Mr.. Lee is a hard taskmaster. He
works his people hard"
Mr.. Lee, AZ years old and a
Commerce Department employe
for five years. said in his state
ment:
II bear the Secretary no i'll will
for his action because I believe
he was motivated by an under
standable desire to save his de-
partment the trouble of a con-
greSsional investigation.
II wish it were possible for
me to accommodate him by re-
signing. I cannot do so because
a matter Of principle has been
raised which affects not only my
self but every other Government
employe."
He recalled that Mr.. Sawyer
and Mr.. Blaisdell themselves,
among other top department Off
cials, had in the past "either pub
licly or under oath affirmed COM
plete confidence in my ability,
competence and loyalty"
Commended by Macarthur.
Mr.. Blaisdell told the congress
sional group in February that
"the FBI has investigated Mr..
Lee very carefully ..~ There has
been no reason found to question
Mr.. Lees loyalty. Also we have
looked into Mr.. Lees competence
and we regard him as one of the
most competent people we have"
Mr.. Lee himself pointed with
pride to a commentator he got
from Gen. Douglas Macarthur
after heading a Commerce De-
partment mission to Japan last
fall, noting that Gen. Macarthur
had praised him and fellow men,
bers of the mission, in letter to
Mr.. Sawyer. for ability and
efficiency" and "a truly patriotic
contribution"
Referring to his birth in Man
churia of Russian parents. Mr..
Lee also said:
LAS a White Russian in China,
I learned of the brutalities of
communism at an early age from
other White Russians fleeing from
the Soviets. I have fought COM
munism all of my life.
I'm my early 20s I served as
assistant prosecutor on a Chinese
staff which indicted Communists
for subversive activities in Man
churia. There were extremely Sc
rious proceedings. Some of the
Communists were shot"
Mr.. Lee will continue on the
! department payroll until final
decision on his dismissal is
reached, officials said. After his
initial reply and the decision, as
suming the finding is against him,
he will have a right of considera-
ton by a department appeals
board and a further review by Mr..
SAWYER