Evening star., 1954-05-16
White House Likely
To Support Silence
On Secret Meetinq
CONTINUED From First Page.)

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written by FBI Director j. Edgar
Hoover, because of the conf
dental relationship between
Senator Mccarthy and his in
formant. It has also recognized
the right of at least two news
paper reporters, in executive
session, not to reveal, the sources
of their information on the
ground Of confidential relation
ships, he pointed out.
Expect White House Statement.
In some official quarters last
night there was a feeling that
Gen. Eisenhower might issue a
pronouncement asserting the
prerogatives of the Executive
Branch of the Government, say
ing that these officials were dis
cussing executive department
business. and barring their tes-
tifying about it. These quarters
contended that while Congress
has a right to know about de-
cisionS. and to inquire into the
justification for them, it is be-
yond the power of the legisla-
tive branch to ask who said
what at conferences leading up
to decisions.
This is contrary to the views
of Democratic members of the
committee. They contend that
since John Adams himself in
troduced the subject of the jan
uary 81 meeting during the open
hearings, there was no justiflca-
tion for withholding a full ac-
count, which might be favor
able to one side or the other in
the present controversy.
The Army counselor has been
ordered to produce before the
subcommittee a written version
of the oral orders he received
from Acting Secretary Of De-
tense Robert B. Anderson not
to testify about details Of the
January 81 meeting. A.
Senator Jackson, Democrat Of
Washington. who predicted that
testimony about the meeting is
likely to be embarrassing" to
the Eisenhower administration,
told newsman that John
Adams should be required now
to relate all he knows about it
He added that "the executive
department d has come in too
late to lodge protest"
Senator jackson also said the
subcommittee has a right to find
out by what authority and on
whose orders Mr.. Adams was in
structed not to testify further
about the conference.
Precedent is Feared.
One top administration OFF,
cial, who did not wish to be
quoted by name saidi @ G
"It has been a long standing
principle in the Executive De-,
partments that congressional
committees have stlie right TO
raise questions about meetings
such as that in which John
Adams participated. but cannot
go into actual conversations. I
believe that the Democrats will
pull in their horns"
Another official said he be-
heved they will have the thing
worked out by tomorrow. and
the Administration would have
something to say at that time"
He said that it would be impos-
sible to avoid setting a prece-
dent if testimony is permitted on
White House officials meetings.
It was recalled that former
President Truman had once told
Presidential Assistant John
Steelman to ignore a subpoena
on a cafeteria strike settlement,
issued by a congressional COM
mittee chairman, but that situa-
ton was Strengthened out before
the principle came to a head.
Former White House Aide
Donald Dawson testified during
the Truman Administration on
RFC matters, and Maj. Gen.
Harry Vaughn, military aide to
President Truman. testified dur
ing the five percenters inquiry.
But Gen. Vaughan appeared
voluntarily and Mr.. Dawson
testified about things that hap