Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-08-10
Byrd Won Drop Case
Against Boyle Despite.
Truman S Confidence
By Robert K. Welsh


Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
Iginia, indicated today that he was
mot dropping his case against
Democratic National Chairman
William M. Boyle. jr., despite
President Humans statement
that he was satisfied Mr.. Boyle
had nothing to. do with getting
an RFC loan for st. Louis print
ing firm.
Senator Byrd said he would
push for Congressional action on
his bill to clap criminal penalties
on any officers, member or en-
ploye of a national political COM
mittee who attempted to influence
the deciSions-or practice legally
Government agencies,
Mr.. Truman told his news con-
ference yesterday that he had
examined into the facts of the
RFC loan and they upheld M.
Boyle's denial of any connection
with it.
Would Not COndone Conduct.
Il think it would be highly i'm
proper, the President said in a
formal news Conference statement.
for the chairman of a national
political party to use his contacts
with Government officials for his
own private gain. l would not
condone such conduct for a mo-
ment."
The Presidents expression of
confidence in Mr.. Boyle-and sup
port for him to continue as the
party chairman-did not end a
preliminary investigation by a
Senate subcommittee nor efforts
by Senator Byrd and others to
obtain passage of the pending
measure aimed at activities of
national political party leaders.
The several moves followed ST..
Louis Post-Dispatch stories that
Mr.. Boyle helped the American
Corp. of St. Louis OBJ
tain Reconstruction Finance Corp.
loans totaling $565, 900 in 1949. Mr..
Boyle explained he had done legal
work for the company for a short
time but that it had nothing to do
with RFC loans. He was not en-
ployed by the company after he
became national committee Off
cial, he said.
Examines Facts.
Il have examined into the facts
William Boyles alleged
relationship to RFC loans to the
Lithofold Corp. of st.
Louis, Mo-" the President stated.
The facts l have obtained indi-
cate that Mr.. Boyle had nothing
to do with the approval of those
loans by the RFC.
so far as Mr.. Boyle is con-
cerned, l understand that he gave
up his private law practice in or
der to make sure that there would
be no improper mingling of his
private interests and his RESPONSE
bilities as chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee. That
was the proper thing for him to
do"
Besides issuing the formal state
ment, Mr.. Truman commented
further IN declaring that he has
the utmost confidence in Mr.. Boyle
and wants him to stay on as chair
man. In an unusual move, gen.
orally done only by way of en-
phasis. he authorized direct quota
ton of his belief that Mr.. Boyle
had nothing to do with the APP
prevail of those loans"
The President said he found
that Mr. Boyle not only severed his
with the St. Louis con-
Germ but also with hi former law
partner. Max Siskind, when he be-
came a full-time employee of the
committee early in 1949. Mr..
Boyle's fees from the company, he
amounted to only $3.50, as
Mr.. Boyle had related.
No Comment ON RiIl.
Mr.. Truman told the news con-
ference he knew nothing about
Mr.. Siskind's business activities
after the partnership ceased. The
PoSt-Dispatch reported recently
that Mr.. Sskind was retained by
the company after Mr.. Boyle
left.
Asked about Senator Byrd's
DILL, the President said he would
not comment because the meas
IRE was not officially before him
That bill would amend the Grim
NAL code by providing penalties
for national political committee
officials who directly or indirectly
represented private concerns in
getting Government loans.
Meanwhile, the Senate Bank
ing subcommittee that investi-
gated influence and fayoritism in
the RFC planned to issue it's re-
port Monday or Tuesday. A dis
senting report by two Republican
Senator's is expected to refer toI
Mr.. Boyle.
Another Senate subcommittee
headed by Senator Hoey. Demo-
,rat, of North Carolina, has two
staff investigators in st. Louis.