Evening star., 1952-08-10

~~~~~~--~-~~
Republican members of the House
to be much interested in their
suggestion that the scandal-ridden
Internal Revenue Bureau be re-
moved from jurisdiction of the
Treasury Department and given
independent status.
Gen. Eisenhower held a lengthy
conference with Representatives
Robert Kean of New Jersey, Carl
Curtis of Nebraska and John
Byrnes of Wisconsin. the COP
members of House Ways and
Means subcommittee which in
vestigated the tax-collecting In
ternal Revenue Bureau and turned
up q series of scandals.
The groups inquiry led to the
firing and resignation Of several
top bureau officials.
The three Republicans gave
Gen. Eisenhower report on the
investigation, and Mr.. Kean told
a news conference afterward that
the general was disturbed about
the situation.
Criticizes White House.
Mr.. Byrnes said Gen. Eisen-
hover felt there should have
been considerably more activity
on the part of the White House
in getting to the bottom of In
ternal Revenue irregularities.
"The general said." Mr.. Byrnes
added, that he thought any ex-
ecutive branch agency would want
and welcome a thorough investi-
cation by the FBI to set their
house in order"
The three Congress members
also discussed the Social Security
program with Gen. Eisenhower,
and the general later issued this
statement:
st am particularly concerned
about the present inadeQuacles
of the Social Security law and
feel strongly that the law ought
to be extended to presently un-
covered persons.
"One of the pressing problems
in the field of Social Security
both on the merits and security
are the old folks.
"They have contributed so much
to America and we have a respon-
sibility and obligation to see that
they receive adequate protection
in their old age.
81 would support and press fol
adoption of legislation designed te
tighten the burden OF the hlgf
cost of living on our senior cltl'
zens."
Would Increase Benefits.
James C. Hagerty, Gen. Eisen'
hower's press secretary. said th'
general had in mind increased
old age assistance grants in talk
ing about easing the flnancla
burden of senior citizens.
Those grants are made up o
a combination of funds from th'
Federal Government and tn
States.
Mr.. Kean said the general
statement regarding expansion O
the Social Security program ap
piled to professional people,. mi
gratory farm workers, some part
time household workers and sew
eral other categories.
At today's meeting with tn
three Republican members OF I'M
Tax Investigation subcommittee
Gen. Eisenhower was given dat'
which aides said will be used II
the forthcoming campaign.
Hits Political Influence
In proposing that the Interna
Revenue Bureau be divorced iron
the Treasury Department, MI
Kean said the bureau should b
entirely removed from any tain
of political influence"
Mr.. Kean reported that Ger
Eisenhower showed much interes
in the idea, but did not comm
himself at this time.
a. Mr.. Curtis said he wanted T.
emphasize that "the problem Q
corruption in the bureau is nc
lust an ordinary problem" H
added that "the corruption ha
been in the top echelons." an
that the vast majority of burea
employees are entirely homes
people"
Mr.. Curtis said that as a reSu
of the House subcommittee in
vestigation key bureau ofticia,
have been ousted who were "rigt