Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-11
|CeIIer 10 Press
For Business
Council Data
BY ROBERT X. WALSH

/ OCC, OdAhCA Ny oCCICbdly VI WIN
merce Weeks in its demand for
detailed records of the Business
/ Advisory Council. may subpoena
a slew of witnesses" to get the
information it wants.
That was the parting shot
fired today by Committee Chair
man Celler after five-hour
hearing he said didn't even
scratch the surface" yesterday
The New York Democrat. pre-
pairing to leave for Europe until
mid-September, said also that
Mr.. Weeks and possibly former
Secretary of Commerce Sawyer
would be at least urged-if not
subpoenaed-for the sessions in
the fall.
IF we don't get information
about BAG one way. we'll get 1t
another" he said. He made clear
he does not believe Mr.. Weeks
and BAG Executive Director
Walter White were legally right
in refusing to provide subcom-
mittee access to files back to 1948,
But he remarked that if the
Commerce Departments road
block" continues the subcommit-
tee will find means of moving
around the obstacle.
Faces Contempt Action
Meanwhile, Mr.. White, the
$25. 000-a-year BAG employe who
was the only witness yesterday
continued to hang on the horns
of an official and personal
dilemma. He faces possible pro-
ceedings for contempt of Con.
gress. That decision. however
will be left up to the full Judici-
airy Committee and probably will
not be determined until october
Mr.. Celler announced that the
transcript of yesterdays hear.
ing would be sent to every mem.
Der of the committee.
| AS his personal attorney
Henry J. Fowler, told the SUBJ
committee in a court-like legal
presentation unusual at congress
sional hearings, Mr.. White re-
fused to produce the records be-
cause they are in the custody OF
the Commerce Department and
because Secretary Weeks directed
him to refuse. Mr.. White fears
he would violate the law If he
disobeyed Mr.. Weeks and dis
closed the material. He noted
that he nevertheless risks pos
sible contempt proceedings by
defying the committee and chalA
longing its jurisdiction.
Business Group
BAG is a group Of go active
advisers to the Commerce De-
partment drawn mainly from the
ranks Of private business and in
dustry executives. The organ
ization. with an overall total OF
about 200 including graduate"
members. was established in
1898.
Mr.. Celler holds that BAG is
essentially a non-governmental
outfit not affected by the sep
aration- of powers principle in
voked by Mr.. Weeks in denying
subcommittee access to what
they regard as confidential ma :
! tefial.
The chairman said his anti
trust committee is especially
eager to determine whether &C
Invites of BAG unduly influence
Government policy and whether
/ 1t is closely allied with woo"
men. That designation refers 10
without compensation" en-
ployes such as dollar-a-year men
in Government positions. Much
of Mr.. Celler's questioning Of Mr..
White yesterday indicated an
attempt to learn whether BOA
was a recruiting organization for
woo" employees.
Celler Complains
After reading a letter from
Mr.. Weeks at the outset of the
hearing, Mr.. Celler complained
that Commerce Department off,
Gals have lowered woo cur
tain" to prevent subcommittee
access TO information that lis
the core Of our investigation"
In refusing to grant the sub
mr.