Evening star., 1954-10-06
Senators Question Builders
About $3 Million WindfoHs
tContinued Froa First Page,

C.I
Apartments on the District Mary
land line. ,s
William Magazine. contractor
at 1910 Vermont avenue NV,
testified to having built "a prof.
ects with Government-insured
mortgages totaling $49.5 million.
He was asked a number of
questions about Mr.. Powell and
maintained that, while he fire.
quently consulted the FILA off,
cial, he never had business deal
ings with him nor gave him any
gifts. He said any dealings about
construction projects were with
District FILA officials.
- $S0O,0OO Under Mortgage
Questioning by William Si-
mon, committee counsel, brought
out that the cost of the projects
built was roughly 100000 less
than the total mortgages and
that II premiums on the mort
cages were added this would
amour to about 100000.
Herbert Glassman. 1898 Colo
RADIO avenue, went to the witness
stand with a whole pile of record
books but was questioned only
briefly. The questioning con-
cerned Glass Manor, an Oxon
Hill Md project financed with
MORTGAGES totalling $6,249, 900
and constructed for $251 ,301 less.
Mr.. Glassman said he never
knew Mr.. Powell.
New Yorker Testifies.
One witness, Alfred Haskell,
the builder of number Of
projects in the New York area
with about $34 million in Gov
ernment-insured mortgages, was
questioned about transactions
amounting to more than $1,O79,-
900 between himself and Abra-
ham Traub. attorney.
Mr.. Haskell explained, "He
used to give me money, would |
give him money Mr.. Simon
commented that the funds |
seemed to go back and forth but |
that nobody seemed to know |
why.
During the questioning on the |
CONSTRUCTION of various proper
ties, Senator Capehart broke out |
with: I'm getting tired OF your |
foeling with US and I'm getting
tired Of you sitting there with a
smile on your face and not an
swering questions"
Says He's Sincere.
Mr.. Haskell insisted he was |
trying to provide the informa-
ton requested.
Fred Schnider of Arlington |
testified about the building of |
the Rhode Island Apartments in |
washington at cost of about |
So, ,250.000 while the mortgage
to $3.5 million.
Senator Capehart pointed out |
that Mr.. Schnider's company still |
owns the property and the initial |
investment was only 5000.
The witness also told of build |
Ing the ParkcheSter Apartments |
in Washington which was mort |
gagged for 81, ,980, 900, but he said |
the building costs ran above that |
figure. -.. :
Mr.. Powell yesterday afternoon
faced what was to be a series
of questions regarding his finan-
ces and his conduct in office as
the official in charge of the Gov
ernment-fostered rental hous-
ing program. His initial reply |
was: + s 4
Il respectfully refuse to an
swer. My refusal is based on my .
constitutional right not to tes-
tify against myself"
A good part Of the time he
was in the witness chair was
consumed by the objections of
his attorney, Daniel B. Maher,
to photographers, television and
movie cameramen and flood /
lights. Senator Capehart, COM
mittee chairman, directed the
cameramen to desiSt and that |
the lights be turned away from !
the witness.
The Senator and Committee |
Counsel William Simon finally |
gave up the questioning. Sen
ator Capehart remarked of Mr.. |
Powell, He certainly has legal |
right not to answer questions,
but think he is making a mis- |
take"
Answer Is Same.
The chairman also pointed out |
that Mr.. Powell had maintained
that, while he was ION trial. be-
fore the committee, there had
never been any allegations
against him.
Nov you have been Fearing
allegations all afternoon" he |
said to Mr.. Powell. "Why not |
answer?"
MY answer is the same" MIR. |
Powell replied again.
Testimony that a $4,000 pay |
-H NAR