Evening star., 1952-05-16
House Probinq
'Intimida ation' by
Justice0fficia|s
Mental Horsewhipping
Of Witness Charged
To Department Heads
By George Beveridge

By George Beveridee
A House inquiry involving the
Justice Departments Antitrust
Division was intensified today by
charges that department officials
recently tried to intimidate one
of their own antitrust lawyers.
Chairman Chelf of the House
Judiciary subcommittee said an
alleged mental horsewhipping of
Attorney Ernest L. Branham took
place during preparation of a re-
port to be submitted to the sub
committee from the Anti Trust
Division.
He would not name those re-
Sponsible for the alleged intimi-
dation. Neither would he identify
the antitrust matters involved.
They are known, however, to in
Volve specific cases under study
by the Seven-member group.
The charges were disclosed last
night in the following Joint state
ment by Mr.. Chelf and Repre-
sentative Keating of New York,
ranking Republican committee
member:
For the past two days the COM
mlttee has been hearing testimony
concerning an attempt to intimi-
date a key witness within the De-
partment of Justice.
See Strong Evidence.
I'm our opinion. there is strong
evidence to substantiate such
charge.
IF it isn't exactly intimidation
1t most certainly appears that the
recommendations of the witness
for the prosecution of certain
cases has been ignored and that
he has suffered a mental horse
whipping.
I'VE are also convinced, from
this episode, that there are, in
the Department of Justice, able
and conscientious employees whose
sincere efforts to enforce the laws
have been blocked and systemat-
lcalIy discouraged. AS the inves-
tigation continues, this attitude
OF Justice officials will be exposed,
and the confidence and self-respect
OF other Justice Department en-
ployes, restored"
Questioning Delayed.
Subcommittee officials indicated
public hearings would not be held
Immediately to question Mr..
Branham, 48-year-old Federal
career lawyer, who has been with
the Justice Department for nearly
nine years.
Details might be made public
however. when public hearings
begin later on the specific anti
trust cases under study, it was
reported.
The subcommittee called several
other witnesses for closed ques-
tloning about the cases today
None was identified.
In addition, Representative Hill
mgs. Republican, of California,
told reporters the Justice Depart
ment had been asked to arrange
Tor the appearance today of Irwin
Goldstein, Criminal Division at
torney. Mr.. Goldstein's appear
ance has no connection with the
intimidation charges.
Mr.. Killings said he will be
questioned about charges that two
Federal grand juries in California
failed to get Justice Department
cooperation. Mr.. Killings said
Mr.. Goldstein was sent to Cali
fornia to present cases to a grand
jury involving charges against
James Smyth, former Internal
Revenue collector, who is under
indictment.
Former MaragOn Counsel.
Mr.. Killings identified Mr..
GoldStein as a former counsel for
John Maragon. White House in
innate, who was convicted of
lying before a Senate committee
several years ago.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Branham told
q reporter he did not feel free to
discuss the circumstances in
volved in the intimidation charges.
He stressed that he testified be-
fore the group under subpoena.
Asked if the, testimony would
affect his job, Mr.. Branham said
he hoped it wouldn't.
He added that members of the
subcommittee assured him they
would see that no unfavorable
repercuSsionS came from it. Mr..
Branham has been a Government
attorney for 81 years, he said.
He lives at 5000 Overlea road,
Sumner, Md.
Others Questioned.
Mr.. Branham's four-hour Sec
ret testimony came after ques-
tioning of Assistant Attorney
General H. Graham Morrison,
chief of the Antitrust Division,
and his aide. Edward P. Hodges.
Five other Antitrust Division
lawyers also were questioned in
connection with the charges, as
we'll as the specific cases unds
study. The five were namefsy
Elmo Flynt, Mrs. Margaret Bra ss4
George Conner. IerOy MrCau)ek