Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-08
Two Gas Bill Bockers
Censured by Senators
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
lation. A sum totaling $4,000
was at least considered and spo-
ken of by Mr. Neff as contribu-
tons. and $4,000 of this was &C
tually contributed. He exercised
incredibly poor Judgment. Mr..
Patman was responsible for the
direction of Mr.. Neff'S activities
and directed this activity either
expressly or implicitly. Both Mr..
Patman and Mr.. Neff are severe
ly censured for their failure to
act as responsible citizens in
these circumstances"
Money Reverts to Keck
The committee reported that
the $4,000 which Senator Case
turned down, after it was left
with a friend of his in Sioux
Falls. S. D.. reverts to the own
ership of Mr.. Keck. 1t was
turned over to the committee
during the hearings.
The only other contribution
Mr.. Keck actually made was the
$4,000 given to the Nebraska
State Committee. On March l8
the Nebraska committee decided
to return that contribution, also.
The Senators found no fault
with Donald Ross, former United
States Attorney in Nebraska.
who arranged an appointment
for Mr.. Neff with Republican
Senators Curtis and Hruska of
Nebraska.
1t was testified that, in APP
probation of past favors, Mr..
Neff opened savings accounts of
$500 for each of Mr.. Ross five
children. But Mr.. Ross refused
to accept them, and returned
the savings books within IS min
utes.
victim of Environment"
This committee believes that
Mr.. Ross conduct in this matter
is not reproachable and that he
was merely a victim of an en-
vironment created by Mr.. Neff,"
the report said.
The committee recommended
two specific changes in the cleo
ton laws. One would require
every candidate for Federal Of
fice to designate one or more
fiscal agents to solicit and accept
campaign contributions. The
other would require every indi-
vldual or group making contri-
buttons in excess of $4,000 in a
year to file detailed reports. Both
recommendations are already
dealt with TO some extent in
bills awaiting early consideration
in the Senate.
reviewing the testimony taken
at its hearings. the committee
said that Mr.. Keck established a
personal campaign contribution
fund in l947 or l948. from which
he periodically gave cash or
checks to Mr.. Patman for dis
tribution.
Estimate $4,000 Outlay
Over the years. the commit
tee said. this fund averaged
$4,000 or $4,000 a year, but the
testimony indicated that in
1854 Mr.. Patman received
$4,000, and in 1855 either
S8,5O0 or $4,000. 1t was testi-
fed that neither man kept anv
records, and that Mr.. Patman
accounted to Mr.. Keck orally
when he happened TO see him
The committee estimated that
from the beginning of the ar
rangement, about eight Years
ago. a sum approaching $4,000
has been distributed in politi-
cal contributions by Elmer Pat
man"
The report said there can be
no reasonable criticism" of Mr.
keck's desire to have elected 10
public office candidates who
share his beliefs.
There appears TO have been
mere. however, remarkable
iaXity in the supervision and
direction Of the activities of
Mr.. Patman and Mr.. Nef
through whom the Keck fund
was flowing" the report con-
tinued. "Patman was given al
most appalling latitude by Mr.
keck. who contented himself
with merely handing the money
over to Mr.. Patman, apparently
with a hope that 1t would reach
ana serve deserving causes.
Keck's Responsibility Cited
The Select Committee does
not subscribe to the point Of view
that the distribution of this fund
through others should insulate
Mr.. keck from the consequences
Of the chain Of events which were
initiated by the use of his money
This does not relieve him of a
responsibility to take such steps
as will reasonably assure the pro-
priety of its use rather than per
hitting his resources to drift
with uncertainty.
In deciding that the attempted
campaign contribution to Sen.
ator Case was not a bride. the
committee pointed out that Sem
ator Case himself reached the
same conclusion. The committee
also pointed to testimony that
1t was offered with no strings at
tached
Although the report states in
two places that the committee
concluded the. offer of a con-
tribution to Senator Case was
for the purpose of influencing
his vote. it stated in another
paragraph that Mr.. Neff appears
not to have violated the law
which makes it an oTense to Of
fer a member OF Congress any
thing of value. with his consent.
with intent 10 influence his