Evening star., 1952-08-12
Mitchell Attacked
Over Justice Inquiry;
Che|f Defends Him
BY George Beveridqe


Implications and denials that 9
House probe of the Justice Depart.
ment was slowed down for politi-
cal purposes have developed in
the wake Of Stephen A. Mitchell's
appointment as Democratic Ma
tional Chairman.
Mr.. Mitchell, a close friend OF
Gov. Stevenson, has directed the
inquiry as chief counsel of a House
Investigating subcommittee.
Meanwhile, Subcommittee Chair
man Chelf announced Mr.. Mitch
ellis formal resignation as CHIEF
counsel and the appointment OF
Robert A. Collier, 34-year-old
former FBI agent. to succeed him
Killings Issues Statement.
Representative Killings, Repub-
hcan, OF California, a subcommit-
tee member, said Mr.. Mitchell was
mot too eager" to probe certain
complaints in the Justice inquiry.
Without making direct charges,
he said there is a belief Gin some
quarters" that Mr.. Mitchell
dragged his feet as chief coun-
sell" He added:
1T now appears that Mr.. Nit
chell may have had the assign
ment, especially since the con-
Vention. Of working to get Steven
son off the hook on the charges
OF corruption in the Democratic
administration"
Mr.. Killings statement was is
sued through his Office here.
Aides said he is in Denver, act
ing as liaison man with members
of Congress for Senator Nixon of
California, the Republican vice
presidential candidate.
Chairman Chelf said that. "up
to now," his committee "has been
successful in keeping politics out
Of its activities"
Calls Attack Unjustified.
Il am shocked to the quick at
this unjustif1ed, groundless and
unwarranted attack upon Mr..
Mitchell, whose honesty, integ-
rity, courage and devotion to duty
has been a great source of
inspiration to me as Commit
tee) chairman" he declared in q
statement.
Mr.. Killings specifically COM
planned about lack of committee
action on the Justice Departments
handling of grand jury matters in
st. Louis and San Francisco and
OF a water case in California.
Mr.. Chelf said the grand jury
matters are still under considera-
tion. The water case was closed,
he said, on recommendation of
the committees full legal staff.
Approving this recommendation
he said, were Mr.. Mitchell, MIR.
Collier and Daniel G. Kennedy,
the groups Republican associate
counsel.
Mr.. Chelf told a reporter Mr..
Mitchell had made known his close
association with Gov. Stevenson
when he took the subcommittee
post. While the three Republican
committee members voted against
MIR. Mitchell's appointment, none
complained publicly about his past
participation in Democratic poll
tics, Mr.. Chelf said. And shortly
after. he added, Mr.. Kennedy
Joined the staff as a Republican
counsel.
Appointed After Proxy Votes.
Mr.. Chelf appointed Mr.. Col
lier to take over the chief counsel
job after getting proxy votes from
his three Democratic colleagues onI
the seven member subcommittee.
The three Republicans had not an
swered wires recommending the
Collier appointment. Mr.. Chelf
said.
Mr.. Collier moved up from the
posts Of assistant counsel and
chief investigator for the group.
A graduate of the University of
Texas Law School, Mr.. Collier was
with the FBI from 1941 until Oc-l
tober, when he had planned tol
enter private business. He joined
the subcommittee staff in F'ebru-I
ary and lives at 412 Jefferson
street, Alexandria.
The subcommittee intends to
open hearings later this month on
whether a "code of ethics" isl
needed to curb activities Of Gov
ernment lawyers-both during and
after their Federal service.