Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-17
House Group
Jolfed by Story
OF Bride Offer
Identity of Person
Who Sought BroyhiII
Vote Not Revealed

f. II II
The Federal Bureau Of Inves-
tigation today pressed its inquiry
into report that Representa-
tive Broyhill. Republican, of Vir-
GINA had been offered a bride
for his vote on the postal pay
raise bill.
Members of the House Post
Office Committee said they were
stunned by the disclosure of the
investigation. but Chairman Rees
said the committee would leave
action to the FBI.
IT'S a matter for the Depart
ment of Justice" the Kansas
Republican told reporters.
Mr.. Broyhill would not reveal
who made the offer of $500 to
influence his vote. It was re-
ported. however, that the money
was to be contributed to the
wealthy businessman's campaign
for reelection from Virginia's
10th district this fall.
Confirmed by Brownell.
Attorney General Brownell
confirmed widely circulated ru-
mors of an FBI investigation
into the bride offer, but he would
not discuss details.
The overture was denounced
by the heads Of two American
Federation of Labor unions
which have been seeking a pay
raise for postal employees.
William C. Doherty, president
OF the National Association of
Letter Carriers. described it as
Observation-Disclosures"
Leo E. George, president of
the National Federation of Post
Office Clerks, called it 80 repre-
hensible that it is impossible to
believe"
Representative Gross, Repub-
lican, of Iowa, expressed surprise
that Mr.. Broyhill did not take
the matter directly to the COM
mittee. Both are members.
II don't know why names
can't be named" said Mr.. Gross,
I'VE ought to find out what it's
all about. ! didn't know any
thing about it and doubt that
anyone else did"
Bitter Pay Fight.
The Post. Office Committee has
been engaged in a long and Bit
ter wrangle over legislation to
give a pay increase to the half
a million members of the Post
Office Department.
Postmaster General Summer
field has insisted that any pay
increase bill carry authority to
reshutfie and consolidate the my
Rad of job and salary schedules
within the postal service.
On the other hand, organized
postal employe organizations
have asked for a minimum $500
a-year pay hike, and have OPP
posed any bill which would give
the postmaster general the over
haul authority he wants.
The Post Office Committee
has been sharply split over the
administration proposals.
1t first voted out a bill for a
Z per cent pay hike, but omitted
authority for an overhaul of
post Office job and salary sched-
ules. Later. however, it ap-
proved compromise" measure
calling for 5 per cent pay in
crease and a plan to put Mr..
Summerf1eld's proposal into
delayed operation.
BrOyhill Hits Methods.
While Representative Broyhill
would not discuss the alleged
bride attempt, he readily told
reporters he was against strategy
and methods" used in efforts to
force passage of the bill which
ignored Mr.. Summerfield's pro-
poSalS.
He referred to an attempt to
force the House Rules Commit
tee to send the Administrations
opposed bill to the floor by get
ting the signatures of a major
ity of House members to a dis
charge petition. When the
House adjourned yesterday. the
union-favored petition was II
signatures short of the necessary
218 majority.
MY disagreement" Mr.. Broy-
hill said, was on the strategy
and methods used to force the
bill out Of the Rules Committee
and at the same time injure
the Postmaster Generals request
for Redistribution authority
i opposed that strategy" he
added, because even if the
House had passed the bill, it
would run into a certain veto by