Evening star., 1952-05-04
Agriculture Official
Facing Custer in Leak
fConfidentid| Data
By Jones E. Roper

AAC ASACu1LuIc OcpdT CIueIlC is
considering disciplinary action
against Clovis D. Walker, head OF
the departments Cotton Branch.
Before the week is out, the de-
partment may suspend or fire the
man accused of leaking confiden-
tial Government information to
his personal friend, Egyptian cot
ton dealer Loutfy Mansour.
I'VE are not dilly-dallying on
this one" said Gus Geissler, boss
Of the departments Production
and Marketing Administration.
Mr.. GeiSsler and Mr.. Walker
conferred at length yesterday
about the charges. The accusa-
tionS were laid before the Senate
Agriculture Committee on Friday.
Senators Immediately demanded
Mr. Walkers custer.
Mr.. GeisSler said a few points
remain to be cleared up, but all
the information should be in this
week. Then, he said, the depar-
ment can make a final decision
on the case.
Charges 'COver-up.'
Senator Aiken, Republican, of
Vermont. thought the department
was moving too slowly. He pointed
out that department Investigator
made a two-month study of the
case, and submitted a 75-page
report to the department on April
%. But, said Senator Aiken, Sec
retary of Agriculture Brannan
knew about the case all along.
Testimony has shown a cover
up by Agriculture Department
officials who knew of gross irregu-
larities in their department." Sen
ator Aiken told reporters.
I'VE are just now handing over
to the Justice Department for in
vestigation a case involving MIR.
Brannan's department, which Mr..
Brannan knew about and should
have turned over to the Federal
Bureau of Investigation long
ago."
Wants Brannan to Explain.
Senator Aiken said he wanted
the Agriculture Committee to call
Secretary Brannan to explain
about the cover-up job that has
been done in his department"
Mr.. Geissler, who is Mr.. Walk
er'S boss, said he had let a de-
partment investigator complete
his inquiry without interference.
Since that time, he said, he has
been studying the report of the
investigation and trying to tie up
some loose ends.
Secretary of Agriculture Bran
nan told a reporter he had been
following the case and was
familiar with it. He said no dis
c1plinary action against Mr..
Walker could be expected until
a working day''-meanihg Mon
day at least. He. too. said a. few
more facts were needed. =
Testiiies on Tipoff.
The Senate committee is refer
ring the case to the Justice De-
partment for possible criminal
prosecution Of Mr.. Walker the
committee was shocked by testi-
mony OF Harold Mesibov, an Agri-
culture Department investigator
who pieced the story together,
Mr.. Mesibov testified that Mr..
Walker last year, tipped off Mr..
ManSour about then secret Gov
ernment plans to stockpile long
staple Egyptian cotton. The wit
ness also said Mr.. Walker later
told his friend about bids his COM
petltors made. According to the
witness. this information helped
Mr.. Mansour sell the United States
$37 million worth of cotton. Mr.
Walker, as head of the Cotton
Branch and special purchasing
agent for the Munitions Board.
helped accept the bids that his
friend submitted.
Senator Aiken, Senator Mundt.
Republican, of South Dakota and
Committee Chairman Ellender, of
Louisiana, all called for MIR.
Walkers immediate suspension.
Susceptible to Abuse.
The cotton deal came during
committee hearings on irregulari-
ties in the Governments crop
storage program.
Senator Ellender said last night
that some of the storage regula-
tions are susceptible to abuse"
I'VE firmly believe that the
committee will recommend some
concrete and worthwhile changes
in the administration of the farm
support and commodity storage
program" said Senator Ellender
in an address over Radio Station
WWL. New Orleans.
Mirhinan nnmorva9e unId