Evening star., 1953-01-18

any change in Mr.. Wilson's re-
ported decision to retain his
G. M. stock holdings of about
$2.5 million.
2. Whether there had been
any change in Gen. Eisenhower's
desire to have Mr.. Wilson head
the Defense Establishment, or
in Mr. Wilson's wish to serve
Mr.. Hagerty answered. mo
change" to both questions.
Meanwhile, at the Capitol
Senator Saltonstall was in con-
ference with Mr.. Browncl. and
Mr.. Rogers. who will be the top
legal officers of the new admin
istration. Others who Joined in
the meeting were Gen Wilton
B. Persons. Gen. Eisenhower's
chief liaison man with Congress,
Majority Leader Taft and Repub-
lican Senator Bridges of New
Hampshire.
Brief Shown to BrOwnelI.
Mr.. Brownell had no comment
as he left. but Senator Salton-
stall said he showed the Attor-
ney General-designate a brief
prepared by the Senate's legal
staff on the laws bearing on the
Defense appointments. The Sem
ator said Mr. BroWnell would
study the laws. both as to their
Interpretation, and whether they
should be amended.
Senator Saltonstall said there
was no discussion of Mr.. Wilson S
stock holdings in their telephone
conversation yesterday.
When reporter recalled that
Mr.. Wilson has certain pension
rights from General Motors,
aside from the stock, the Sen
ator said there has been very
little discussion of the pension.
He said the record was clear that
MI. Wilson was terminating his
active connection with General
Motors, and that any pension
right would relate to past
services.
1t was learned yesterday that
each of the five Defense ap-
pointeeS was heard separately in
committee last week and both
Mr.. Stevens. for Army Secretary
and Mr.. Talbot, for Air Secre-
tary, are understood to have said
they would consider it improper
for them to take part in deci-
sionS having to do with compan-
les they were connected with.
Mr.. Anderson, for Navy Secre-
tary, has no connections with
any company doing business with
the Government. except possibly
in the sale of beef cattle and oil,
and that only as a paid official.
But he. too, was reported to have
said he would not consider taking
any part in decisions relating to
those companies, if the occasion
arose.
Change in Law Doubted.
Mr.. Wilson, however, was
quoted by Senators as having in
sisted he would take part in such
decisions because he knew more
about General Motors than any,
one else. He is reported to have
said:
What is good for the country
is good for General Motors and
what is good for General Motors
Is good for the country"
Senators find themselves in an
unpleasant situation over the
Wilson appointment, because
Democrats as well as Republicans
would like to follow the custom
of giving new President a free
hand in picking his official
| family
Their comments indicate, how
ever, that they do not see how
they can do it unless Mr.. Wilson
disposes of his holdings. Vet
Grams on Capitol Hill doubt that
the law could be changed, at
least not without long battle
Senator Aiken, Republican, of
Vermont, said yesterday Gen.
Eisenhower should withdraw the
Wilson nomination, or Mr.. Wilson
should dispose of his G. M. stock.
Il don't see how Mr.. Wilson
ever could act as Secretary of
Defense when his own personal
interests are tied up with Gen.
eral Motors. the biggest defense