Evening star., 1952-03-14
Nj. Morris Stubs His Toe

II NeWbold Morris has been eSSaying the
role Of o modern st. George out to slay the
senatorial dragon he will not win any Oscars
for his performance.
It is true that both Senate and House COM
mittee Investigations often take an abusive turn.
It Is also true that some Of the questions asked
Of Mr.. Morris were offensive. It was suggested
that he must have been q. dope or a dupe."
And because a corporation over which he
presumably could have exercised some control
helped transport petroleum to Red China before
the Korean war he has been accused, by impli-
cation at least, Of contributing to the deaths of
American soldiers In Korea. man should not
be expected to submit to this sort of thing
without protest, and Mr. Morris would have been
justified in taking vigorous exception to such
questions.
But that is different thing from the hammy
performance he gave. The Senate committee
was investigating serious matter, in the course
of which serious questions were raised concerning
Mr.. Morris. In the circumstances. Mr.. Morris
behavior-the gesticulations, the loud asides, the
business of turning his back on his questioners,
and his own name-calling efforts-was inap-
propriate to say the least.
It is not feasible in this space to explore the
tumble Of corporations and interlocking direc-
torates through which the tanker deals that are
under investigation were negotiated That Is
job for Senator Hoey's committee.
But one thing which should be Of consider
able concern to Mr.. Morris seems to have been
established. Mr.. Morris is president of the China
International Foundation, Inc, which controlled
the stock of subsidiary, the United Tanker
Corp. Virtually all Of the money invested in
United Tanker was Chinese money, although
Mr.. Morris insists that stock control was held
by Americans
In 1947 Mr.. Morris went to the Maritime
Commission to inquire about the possible pur-
chase of some tankers by United Tanker Corp.
The commission at that time had policy against
the sale of tankers to foreign interests for fear
the ships might get into Russian hands. There
was no sale to United Tanker, presumably
because Of the Chinese financial interest in that
corporation little later, however, three tankers
were sold by the commission to an outfit known
as the National Tanker Corp, then headed by
former Representative Joseph Casey, which in-
smediately sold them to United. Tanker Then
two United Tankers were chartered by the Soviet
Oil Agency, which used them to transport oil
from Romania to China almost until the out
break of the Korean war. 81 -
There was nothing illegal about, this and
Mr.. Morris said the State Department. did not
object to the oil shipments. He added that he
did not know former Secretary Of Defense john
son had lodged protest against the shipments
If not Illegal, however, 1t seems clear that
the tanker deal operated to thwart and defeat
the policy Of the Maritime Commission. And
Mr.. Morris shared in the fees Of his law firm,
which participated in the negotiations.
In these circumstances, his performance
before the committee, including his attack on
the Republican Senator'S. was not an admirable
one. In his position he should have been
willing and cooperative witness. Instead Of
losing his temper and putting on a show, he
should have endeavored to give every possible
bit Of information to the committee. That he
did not do SO is going to impair, and may destroy,
his usefulness as Mr.. Truman's investigator of
corruption in the executive branch Of the
Government.