Evening star., 1952-02-15
Legislators Are Cool
To Unprecedented
Powers for Morris
By George Bexeridae

0eudVC JuQtCldTy committees IN
dicated today they will insist that
Newbold Morris explain in Capitol
Hill testimony why he wants "un-
precedented" powers to subpoena
and grant immunity to witnesses
called in his anti-corruption in
Quiry.
Obviously surprised by Presi-
dent Truman's request for the
broad powers, both Republicans
and Democrats raised sharp ques-
tionS about the subpoena pro-
poSal but centered their sksp-
ticism on the immunity provision.
Under a proposed joint resolu-
ton Mr.. Truman sent to the Capt.
tol yesterday certain witnesses
called by Mr.. Morris would not be
excused from testifying on
grounds Of self discrimination. But
when compelled to testify-after
claiming their constitutional priv
ileges against self -incrimination-
the witnesses would be granted
immunity against prosecution.
Key members Of the judiciary
groups said they could not re-
member that such powers ever
were given an official in the exec
utive branch.
Moving to Old Post Building.
Meanwhile. it was learned TODAY
that Mr.. Morris base of operations
is being moved. from the Justice
Department to 10000 square feet
OF Office space in the old Washing
ton Post Building on PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, across from the District
Building.
Mr.. Morris, a special assistant to
Attorney General McGrath. made
plain to reporters in New York
last night that he wanted space
outside the department.
General Services Administration
officials disclosed Mr.. Morris put
IN a request yesterday and GSA
Immediately proposed the old Post
building, now leased by the Gov
eminent. Approval came today
after the building was inspected
by GSA officials and a group of
Defense Department and Budget
Bureau officials, who have been
designated to assist Mr.. Morris in
getting started.
w. Carl Blaisdell, director of
the Defense Departments Fiscal
Management Staff, said Offices for
the Morris group would take in
the buildings first and second
floors. Upper floors are occupied
by the Small Defense Plants
Administration.
100 to $50 Employees.
Mr.. Blaisdell said Mr.. Morris
was expected to move in Wednes-
day.
While one official indicated that
size of Mr.. Morris Office staff will
be between 100 and $50 employees,
there was no immediate indication
of where the employees will come
from or when they will be as
signed. ,ang a
A Budget Bureau spokesman
said operating expenses will come
from the Presidents emergency
fund.
Meanwhile, President Truman's
message to Congress warned that
Mr.. Morris will be unable to make
"a fully effective and conclusive
investigation" unless he Is en-
powered to obtain testimony and
evidence from persons outside of
government. To do so, he said.
Mr.. Morris must be given "the
power of subpoena, the power to
compel testimony by granting i'm
munity in appropriate cases and
the power to administer oaths. -
Mr.. Truman told a news con-
ference he did not know if the
executive branch ever had sought
such powers before, but that the
request had the full backing OF
Attorney General McGrath.
Similar to Proposed Statute.
Leaving the cabinet meeting
this morning, Mr.. McGrath told
reporters the immunity provision
is akin to the general Federal
statute he has been advocating
for more than a year. The pro-
vision is intended, broadly, to deal
with those cases where a maiol
offender could be reached by tes-
timony Of a minor offender in
volved in the same crime if the
latter were given immunity.
Admitting the right to grant
Immunity is a Every potent power
Mr.. McGrath added it could bt
subject to abuses "just as is any
other great power"
Asked if he would oppose an.
changes in the legislation urget
by President Truman, Mr.. Nc
Grath said he felt that "basically
the measure is sound but tha'
he did not have a closed mind.
Senator Ferguson, Republican