Evening star., 1952-09-14
CheIf Denies Pressure
From Any Democrats
To Slow Justice Probe
By GEORGE Beveridqe

subcommittee investigating the
Justice Department said last night
he has never been under any
pressure from any Democrats" to
soft-pedal the politically -impor-
tant probe.
This, coupled with other recent
developments, heightened specula-
ton that the Democrats are plan
ming during the coming weeks to
make strong claims that they have
been able to put their own house
in order on the corruption in
Government issue.
Gov. Stevenson, two days ago,
cited Mr.. Chelf as one of a num-
ber Of Democrats who has helped
expose wrong -doing-without q
change in party.
But. for the most part. Demo-
Gratis thus far have laid off strong
claims that they have success
fully washed their own linen.
McGranery Presses Cleanup.
Instead. the political advantage
of the Justice Department cleanup
drive so far would seem to have
gone all to the Republicans. Gen
Eisenhower has made it clear that
"the mess in Washington" is a
major issue. And, almost daily
the Chelf groups charges and
diSclosures-along with almost
frantic cleanup moves by Attorney
General McGranery within the
department-have made headlines
to help him along.
Mr.. McGranery'S actions prob
ably furnish the strongest clue
that top-level administration
leaders want to go all-out to clean
up the agency he heads.
In addition to ax-wielding
moves among top officials and
surveys of department operations,
he has brought about a complete
reversal in the matter of opening
files to congressional probers. Last
week, he ordered officials to give
the Chelf group virtually any
records it wants. Before he joined
the department last May, the sub
committee hit one road-block
after another.
In the natter of co-opera-
tion." Mr.. Chelf summed up. "the
situation is as fine now as it was
terrible before his (Mr. Nc
Granery's) appointment"
Keeping Politics Out
AS far as personal statements
are concerned, the Democrat and
the Republican directing the
House inquiry-Mr. Chelf and
Representative Keating, of New
York-apparently are operating
under temporary political truce.
Neither Mr.. Keating, whose
resolution started the inquiry, nor
MIR. Chelf would comment on the
effect they think it is having on
the political campaign.
In an interview, Mr.. Chelf said
he has refused ito make any COM
ment that will inject politics into
this thing as long as the commit
tee is in session"
I'm keeping politics out of it"
he said, because the first thing
I say will blow the committee sky
high"
The Kentucky Democrat said
he has refused numerous requests
to appear on radio and television
shows in order to dodge political
questions. And. during public
hearings, he several times has sat
on other Democratic members of
the subcommittee who have tried
to push the Justice Departments
side Of specific issues.
Mr.. Chelf said the Subcommit-
tees job lis an important one and
the people are entitled to know
the facts no matter who is hurt.
After it gets the facts, the public
can decide"
Asked specifically whether he
has been under pressure from
Democrats to go easy, the chair
man said he has not from either
high or low in the party"
And it wouldn't have done any
good if they had approached me
and I don't mean maybe" he
added
The subcommittee resumes pub
lie hearings this week. with former
Attorney General j. Howard Nc
Grath and T. Lamar Caudle. the
former Justice Department Tax
Division head, as the star wit
nesses. .-..
Mr.. McGrath is expected to be
asked first about charges that the
department dragged it's feet when
1t was asked to cooperate with
q grand jury tax inquiry in st.
Louis last year. But members
indicated they would go into
other matters while Mr.. McGrath
is in the witness chair on Wednes-
day.
Mr.. Caudle, ousted by Presi-
dent Truman last November for
incompatible outside activities"
is slated to appear Thursday.
Chief Investigator Named.
During more than "a hours of
closed-door questioning last week,
he was asked aoout dozens of mat
tiers. One of them, certain to be
aired, revolves around abnormal
pressures exerted on him as the
chief tax prosecutor by persons
high in Government, including
members of Congress.
Meanwhile, subcommittee Off
cials said they did not know how
long the group will stay in session
during october. If the inquiry is
not finished, however, Mr.. Chelf
said it was mot Impossible that we
might recess and come back after
the November elections"
The subcommittee last night
named Arthur H. Crowl, former
FBI agent. as its new chief inves-
tigator. Mr.. Crowl moved up to
replace Robert A. Collier. Mr..
Collier earlier took over the job
of chief counsel after the depar-
ture of Stephen A. Mitchell, the