Evening star., 1951-10-06
Public Hearings Close
In Probe Of Party
Chairmen and RFC
By Robert K. Welsh

By Robert K. Welsh
A Senate subcommittee inves-
tigation of activities Of the Demo-
cratic and Republican national
chairmen in connection with RFC
loans appeared at an end today.
In closing public hearings that
began three weeks ago, Subcom-
mittee Chairman Hoey. Democrat,
of North Carolina, said his group
was mot closing the door" to any
new evidence or witnesses.
But he indicated he anticipates
no further major developments
in the inquiry into stories that
Democratic National Chairman
William M. Boyle, jr.. helped a
st. Louis printing company get
$565 900 in RFC loans in 1919
and was paid $4,000.
Senator Nixon, Republican, OF
California, a committee member
told reporters. however, that the
Boyle inquiry has too many loose
ends to call it closed. II think
we'll have to resume" he said.
Except for an expected letter
from RFC Director w. Stuart
Symington. nothing additional Is
expected concerning Republican
National Chairman Guy G. Ga
brielson's contacts with RFC
about Carthage Hydrocol. Inc.
Senator Hoey said. Carthage Hy-
drocol. of which Mr.. Gabrielson
lis president and legal counsel. OBJ
tanned $18.5 million in RFC loans
before he took the party Office in
1949.
S11.095 Payments Cited.
Hearings ended late yesterday
with testimony by Turney Gratz
an RFC official from 1943 to early
January, 1850. that Mr.. Boyle paio
him a total Of $11.095 in salarie.
and expenses in 1946, 1947, 194s
and 1949.
Mr.. GratZ. who became Mr.
Boyle'S assistant at Democratic
headquarters in January, 1850
and remained there until las
March, explained that the pay.
ments were for spare time" worl
he did for Mr.. Boyle. The worl
had nothing to do with RFC o.
the Democratic National Commit.
tee and consisted mainly Of &C.
counting and keeping track o.
Mr.. Boyle's investments and sim
liar personal business affairs, Mr.
GratZ said.
The witness said this was {
matter Of personal friendship be.
cause he has known Mr.. Boyl,
ever since they lived in Kansa!
City years ago. AS an official IL
the rubber development section O.
RFC. Mr.. Gratz testified. he hat
nothing to do with loans and neve.
tried to influence any. AS an EN-
ploye of the Democratic Nationa
Committee. he said. he sometime.
referred applicants to the agenc!
but never urged officials to tax,
any specific action in behalf O.
applications.
Watched Stock Market.
Mr.. GratZ conceded he was not
an attorney or professional &C.
countant. He called in an account.
ant at the end of each year tt
check his figures on Mr.. Boyle!
private investments, as we'll as hi.
own income tax returns, he said
But he worked most nights anc
Sundays at home or in Mr.. Boyle.
Office and submitted bills basec
on his equivalent hourly wage al
RF'C. he explained.
! His duties. he added. included
keeping track of stock market
trends and reading the Wal
Street Journal"
In all his association with Mr.
Boyle during that period, he in.
sisted, he never discussed RFC
except occasionally in a genera
way as to the rubber development
program. He also informed tn.
subcommittee that he never &C.
Icepted gifts or gratuities, except {
camera from Cecil A. Green
Washington "greeter" from tn,
American Lithofold Corp. He sale
he accepted it as a personal gift a
Christmas but has never used tn,
camera. .
The Lithofold Corp. is the st
Louis printing concern that pait
Mr.. Boyle a total of $3.50 as
legal retainer in early 1949. MI
Boyle testified last week this hat
nothing to do with the RFC loan
granted the company later tha
year. He also swore he did no
receive $4,000 from the company
as was stated in st. Louis Post
Dispatch stories.