Evening star., 1953-01-22
Wilson Must
Sell GIN Stock,
Believes
Only Sole Will Make
Him Eligible Under
Low, Virginion Says
By J. A. O'Leou

Senator Byrd, Democrat, of
Virginia, said today he sees no
way by which Charles E. Wilson
could be made eligible for Sec
retary of Defense, except by
selling his stock in the General
Motors Corp, the Nations larg-
est defense contractor.
The Virginian, member of
the Armed Services Committee,
said sale of the stock would
make him completely eligible"
but that such sale should in
clude stock he receives as part
Of an annual bonus.
Senator Byrd said he does not
think it would be necessary for
Mr.. Wilson to give up the pen
sion due him, because that is
something he earned for past
services. Although MIR. Wilson
has given up his position as head
of General Motors, testimony
before the Armed Services Com
mittee last week was to the
effect that he is entitled to an
annual bonus for three more
years in addition to the pension
when he retired.
Can't Be Done.
AS to other solutions which
have been suggested, however,
such as barring Mr.. Wilson from
handling any General Motors
matters, Senator Byrd does not
believe this could be done under
the law. The Senator pointed
out that the law vests in the
secretary direction, authority,
and control" over the defense
establishment. He also pointed
out that the law forbidding a
Government official from deal
ing with a company in which
he has financial interests is not
confined to signing contracts,
but prohibits the transaction Of
business with such companies.
Meanwhile the next move in
the Wilson case was entirely up
to the White House, since the
Senate committee will do noth-
ing more until the Wilson NOM
irlation is formally submitted to
the Senate. There were re-
ports at the Capitol that q def
mite decision one way or another
will be made by tomorrow.
White House Silent.
The White House continued
to keep quiet on the Wilson mat
ter. Press Secretary James C.
Hagerty said the President had
talked to the Defense Secretary
designate on the phone once
since seeing him at the inaugu-
raj ball Tuesday night.
''Has the President changed
his attitude towards Mr.. VIII
son?" he was asked. "No,"
Mr.. Hagerty responded.
Asked if it was intended to
send Mr.. Wilson's nomination
up to the Senate, Mr.. Hagerty
said: Il can't discuss that at this
time"
He said that "as far as I
know" the nomination will not
go to the Capitol today.
Senator Byrd praised Mr.. VIII
son as "a man of the highest
character and great ability" He
made it clear his only interest
in the matter is to avoid legal
Implications in the filing of
the cabinet post.
Strong Opposition Seen.
Strong opposition. has mani
tested itself in the Senate to
confirming Mr.. Wilson.
Up to now, the Senate Armed
Services Committee has been
giving only informal considera-
ton to Mr.. Wilson and four
other men Gen. Eisenhower had
announced he would appoint to
high defense posts.
The Associated Press quoted
one unidentified Republican Sem
ator as saying efforts were being
made to persuade the retiring
head Of General Motors to sell
his stock. The Senator repre-
sented Mr.. Wilson as feeling that
asking him to sell the stock is q
reflection on his integrity.