The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-01-23
No Doubts NOau
That Wilson Will
Be Confirmed
By Senate
By JACK BELL

President Eisenhower formally
named the former president of
General Motors to head the vitality
important Defense Department af-
ter, the White House said, Wilson
volunteered to dispose of his GIN
stock.
Wilson'S retention of a financial
interest in the company had
aroused. strong opposition in the
Senate. As a result, Eisenhower
| left out the defense secretaryship
when he submitted the names of
his other Cabinet choices on Tues.
day.
In the defense post, Wilson would
be in position to deal with GIN,
the departments biggest private
contractor. And a federal law long
on the statute books bars any
federal official from transacting
business with firm in which he
holds even an indirect financial
interest.
Chairman Saltonstall (R-Mass)
summoned Wilson to a closed ses.
sion of the Senate Armed Serv-
ices Committee today. Saltonstall
said the Cabinet designee would
"clarify" his previous testimony
that he would not give up his GIN
stock and would deal, as secretary
with the firm he once headed.
Saltonstall told a reporter he be
lieves this anticipated switch ir
Wilson'S stand will win him ap
Iproval by the committee. Senators
Byrd (D-Va), who first cited the
legal ban, and Russell (D-Ga)
agreed.
81 hope the Senate will follow
the recommendation of the armed
services committee Saltonstal
said.
Most senator's who could be
reached seemed to think that il
would, although a few expressed
some reservations. In any event
considerable debate appeared like.
" If and when the appointment
goes to the Senate floor. That prob
ably viii not be until sometime
next week.
Eisenhower's formal nomination
of Wilson, announced at TBS last
night, at least brought to a head
the controversy which has con-
fronted the new Republican adj
ministration with its first crisis.
The brief announcement by
White House Press Secretary
James C. Hagerty said:
'sThe president has sent to the
Senate the nomination of Charles
E. Wilson as secretary of de-
Tense. Mr.. Wilson visited the Pres
ident this evening and volunteered
his intention to dispose Of all his
stock in General Motors"
There was some indirect indica-
ton that the President had a hand
in Wilson'S decision. A Republican
senator who declined to be quoted
by name said the former GIN pres.
ident had. right up to the White
House conference. aintained his
refusal to sell the stock.
Wilson is said to have told the
Senate committee, at a hearing
held before his formal nomination
that his GIN stock is worth about
pa million dollars and that he
would lose as much as $500, 00C
in taxes by selling it now.
The announcement that Wilson
would sell the stock he now holds
brought words Of praise from a
number of senator's.
Il think Wilson is a man of in.
ltegrity and his decision is right, y
Byrd said.
Sen. Capehart tR.Ind) said he
now has no doubts that Wilson
Twin be confirmed, and he added:
His action stamps him as great
American making a great sacrifice
in order to serve his country"
Sen. Hunt (D-Wyol voiced con
fidence Wilson would make a bona
| fide sale, not just a transfer Il
his wife or another relative. and
said he expects to vote for Wilson
Sen. Ferguson (R-Miehl said HI
saw mo shadow of doubt thai
Wilson win be confirmed. He sale
wilson had previously told the
committee be owns other stock
Including some in at least one oil
company, but he added. "AS
understand il these companies d.
no business with the government.
| Sen. Morse (Ind-O rel said be
has not changed his mind that the
choice Of Wilson Is not 3 good
one. He said GU has close 10 five
billion dollars worth Of degense
eontrActs ard ''it Is not ID the in
tsrssts Qf goOd government Il
hare . former GM president l1ds
IEg details u those contracts.
/ Regardless az the trend q Wl
seas Testimony TO-DAY. some seaa
tors said they tcresaw troahle Col