Evening star., 1952-02-14
Truman Asks
Subpoena Power
To Aid Morris
Congress Gets Request
For Law to Stiffen
Corruption Inquiry
By Joseph A. Fox


President Truman today asked
Congress for legislation to give
subpoena powers to Newbold
Morris, newly named head of the
Justice Departments corruption
n-Government inquiry, and asked
that the measure be speeded.
Pointing out that the legisla-
ton is required to enable Mr..
Morris to get witnesses and docu-
ments from outside the Govern
ment which would not otherwise
be available for the probe, Mr..
Truman stressed that "such ligis-
Iatlon is necessary to enable Mr..
Morris to make a thorough and
effective investigation of illegal
or improper conduct in the trans
action of Government business. %
Along with the message, the
President sent Congress a draft
OF a joint resolution which would
provide the needed implementa-
tion OF the corruption prober's op-
erations.
Divulged at News Conference.
Inc message went to Capitol
Hill a short time after the Presi-
Gent told his news conference that
ne was going to ask Congress for
this legislation to complement his
own instructions to all Govern
ment agencies to give top priority
70 any requests for cooperation
from Mr.. Morris.
Explaining in the message that
the Morris investigation would
cover illegal or unethical con-
duct" by Federal workers and
others relating to the performance
OF official Government duties. MIR.
Truman said also that the new
assistant to the Attorney Cen
eral will also make recommends
tons as to action that should be
taken to punish any wrongdoers
to protect the Federal Govern
ment In the future against illegal
or improper acts and to insure the
highest standards of honesty and
integrity in the conduct of official
Government business"
Pledges Cooperation.
The President explained that
while al Government agencies
have been told to cooperate with
the inquiry. much testimony and
evidence must come from persons
and organizations outside of the
Government. A new law is nec-
essary, he said, to permit sub
poenaS to be issued to make these
sources available to the inquiry.
Where a subpoena summons
was ignored, the Justice Depart
ment could bring the offender
into court.
All testimony would be under
oath. The President said he
wanted the authority only until
next December 81.
10 Strenstnen FOWerS.
The President said Attorney
General McGrath is completely
in sympathy with his plans and
that the idea is to enable Mr..
Morris "to do an independent,
thorough and efficient job"
The Morris Offices, the Presi-
dents statement disclosed. are 60
ing to be outside of the Justice
Department.
At the time Mr.. Truman was
considering setting up q special
corruption probing committee un-
der Federal Judge Thomas F..
Murphy of New York, it was
brought out that the unit actu-
ally would be impotent unless it
had the power Of subpoena. The
Presidents statement emphasizes
that it is this defect that he is
now proposing to cure.
He voiced hope in his statement
that Congress would back up his
plan.
FreSl0entS statement.
The statement follows:
Il have had a good conference
with Mr.. Newbold Morris about
his plans for carrying out his Job
as special assistant to the At
torney General.
Il am directing all departments
and agencies Of the Government
to cooperate fully with Mr.. Nor
ris in the performance of his
duties, and to give him any in
formation and assistance he may
require, and give the highest
priority to any request made by
him. Adequate funds will be pro-
vided for the activities Of Mr..
Morris and his staff, and they will
be given separate Office space out
side the Department Of Justice.
II intend to see to it that Mr..
Morris has access to all informa-
tion he needs that is in the pos
session of the executive branch
and the authority to examine and
require testimony from all Office
and employees Of the executive
branch. However. in many cases
where Government employees have
been subject to outside influence
the most essential evidence is not
in Government hands. Mr.. Nor
ris cannot conduct thorough and
effective investigation Of cases
such as these unless he has the
power to subpoena witnesses AND
documents from outside the Gov
ernment. The executive branch
cannot confer such power on Mr.
tsee CORRUPTION. Page A-S.)
~. ar