Evening star., 1952-02-03
CaIifornians Demand
House Inquiry Into
CaII-BuIIetin Case

Senator Nixon and Representa-
tive Killings, California Republic
cans. called on the House Judiciary
Committee yesterday to investi-
gate Federal Judge Oliver J. Car
ter's order for a grand jury in
vestigation into the San Francisco
Bulletin.
Senator Nixon said the action
will be regarded as retaliation
for the newspapers embarrassing
disclosures about the administra-
ton" He said he hoped the jul
dietary group would put the San
Francisco mess at the top Of its
list when it starts its investiga-
tion Of the Justice Department
and the judiciary"
The Call-Bulletin has been run
ming a series of articles on income
tax scandals in California. Friday,
it published a story quoting Mr..
Killings as linking Federal Judge
George B. Harris to a land devel-
opment plan, which was said to
be promoted by a deputy internal
revenue collector.
$1,000 and Six Years Provided.
Judge Carter handed a copy Of
the newspaper to a grand jury
foreman and ordered an inquiry
to determine whther the news
paper obstructed justice.
He referred to a section of the
law defining obstruction of JUS
tice, but did not say how the Call
Bulletin might have violated it.
The law provides fines up to
$4,000 and Imprisonment up to
six years, or both. for each of two
or more persons who conspire:
/. To intimidate or prevent any
one from holding public Office or
diScharging their duties.
2. To induce any one to leave
office.
3.-To harm any one because he
has lawfully discharged public
duty in Office.
Publisher Randolph Hearst of
the Call-Bulletin commented: TITS
all right with us if they want to
investigate us. We print the news
as we see it,"
Action on Eve of Hearings.
Mr.. Killings said he did not
want to PREJUDICE the Judge Car
ter's action. But, he added, "it
appears to be necessary that the
House Committee on the judiciary
investigate his latest action
He also said it may be only
coincidence" that the action was
taken on the eve of hearings in
San Francisco by the. King sub
committee. which is looking into /
irregularities within the internal
revenue system.
Mr.. Killings inserted a. state
ment in Fridays Congressional
Record that reliable sources" in
dicated Judge Harris was given
free half interest in future prof /,
It's from land development prof.
ect near Carmel, Calf.
Mr.. Killings said Charles G.
Sawyer, a field division chief of /.
the Internal Revenue Bureau in
San Francisco, was instrumental
in promotion of the project. and
that he apparently intended to
use Judge Harris name for the
prestige it gave the venture"
Comment Withheld.
Mr. Killings also said it should
be noted that Judge Harris pre- /
sided over the master calendar at
the time when revelations of mis-
conduct in the San Francisco Of
flee of the Bureau of Internal Rev.
enue were being presented to a
Federal grand jury. Judge Harris
later asked to be relieved Of this
assignment. /
Neither Judge Harris nor Mr.. /
Sawyer had any immediate COM !
ment on Mr.. Killings statement.
In Louisville. the Office of James
S. Pope chairman of the Freedom
of Information Committee, Amer
lean Society of Newspaper Editors,
released a copy of a telegram he
sent to judge Carter.
Mr.. Pope, executive editor of the
Courier journal and Louisville
Times, said I'VE are puzzled and
perturbed by your suggestion that