Evening star., 1952-02-16
Former Tax Chief
Expected 10 Face
Probe bebyCongress
Whether Nunun Acted foI
Concern Thot Received
Refund Is Big Question
By GEORGE Beyeridoe

Prospects of a congressional in
vestigation of Joseph D. Nunan
jr., heightened today, as the name
of the former internal revenue
commissioner was linked to addi-
tional firms having tax difficult
ties.
MIR. Nunan was thrown into the
spotlight two days ago, when Sem
ator Williams, Republican, of Del.
aware, charged the former CON-
missioner was given special per.
mission to represent a Midwest
brewery which got a $35,00O ta,
refund after settling a $3.50, ,O0(
Federal tax debt for $4,000.
The big question growing Out
Of the Senators disclosures seemed
TO be whether Mr.. Nunan actually
represented the firm, the Indian
apolis Brewing Co.. in its success
full dealings with the tax bureau
Can't Recall Seeking Waivers.
MIR. Nunan has denied he ever
represented the firm or got fees
from it, and said he had no recol-
lection Of ever seeking Treasury
Department waivers to take the
brewery as a client. Federal law
bars Government officials from
pressing claims against the United
States for two years after they
leave office. but allows special
waivers.
The Internal Revenue Bureau
said Mr.. Nunan. who resigned as
commissioner In June, 1947. was
given waivers to represent the
w-defunct brewery and two OF
Us officers, Alvin and Lawrence
|-Bardin. but it did not known II
the waivers were used.
In other DEVELOPMENTS:
!. The revenue bureau said Mr.
Nunan got permission within the
two-year period to represent nine
firms. including the brewery.
Ex-senator George. Democrat, Of
Georgia, told reporters the rev.
enue bureau had advised the SEN
ate Finance Committee that ali
nine Of the cases were referred
to the Justice Department for pos
sible action.
Sworn Statement Demanded.
3. Senator Williams said he vii,
insist that Mr.. Nunan repeat un.
der oath his denials concernine
the brewery case, and Represent.
ative King. Democrat, of Califor.
MIA, whose tax-investigating sub.
committee is holding hearings ir
San Francisco. said his grour
probably will call Mr.. Nunan.
Meanwhile Chairman Frank
Mckinney Of the Democratic Ma.
tional Committee declared hi.
bank once held a $4,000 mort.
gage on the Indianapolis Brewina
Co. but denied reports that the
bank. the Fidelity Trust Co., o1
indianapolis, helped finance pur.
chase Of the firm.
Alvin Bardin, who headed the
brewery. said his group borrowed
$180. 900 from Fidelity after buy.
ing the brewery in 1945 from a
group OF which Frank McHale, a
political sponsor of Mr.. Mckinney
was member.
In Indianapolis. Chester L. Rob-
inson. vice president Of Fidelity
said Mr.. Bardin must be talking
through his hat-the deal was not
financed here"
Says Mortgage Was Paid.
Mr.. Mckinney also issued the
following statement:
y out-of-state interests bought
the Indianapolis Brewery from
local owners some time In l945,
The Fidelity Trust Co. did not
finance the purchase in any man.
ner or form.
At the time Of the purchase,
there was an existing mortgage on
the real estate Of the brewery for
$120. 600 which was held by the
Fidelity Trust Co.
The new owners liquidated the
mortgage In full on May Q, 1916,
and the bank has had no business
relations with the brewery since
that time.
The brewery went out Of exist
ence In 1949.
Meanwhile. Acting Assistant At