Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-06
Neff Gifts Legal
But Improper,
GeorqeSays
Counsel Proposes
Survey for Possible
Violations of Law
By ]. A. O'LEARY


The activities Of John M. Neff
Nebraska lawyer for the Supe-
rior Oil Co. of California, in con-
nection with the natural gas bill
were improper but not illegal, in
the opinion of Senator George.
Democrat of Georgia.
The Georgian is chairman of
a special four-man committee
which today began drafting a
report of its investigation of the
$4,000 campaign contribution
from Mr.. Neff which Senator
Case, Republican of South Da-
kota, rejected and reported to
the Senate near the end of de-
bate on the gas bill a month ago.
Calling Mr.. Neff's actions
"manifestly improper" Senator
George said the lawyer was try
ing to bolster existing senti-
ment or create sentiment for
the gas bill" But the Senator
added that mo crime was COM
mitted as far as can see."
Charles Stedman, special
counsel for the committee, today
said he wants to put two mat
tiers of possible law violation be-
fore the committee while it is
studying its report. These are:
l. Whether there was a viola
ton because Mr.. Neff did not
register under the Lobby Act.
2. Whether Superior Oil vio-
lated the law in paying Mr..
Neff's expenses out of corporate
funds for his trip to Sioux Falls
to see a friend of Senator Case.
Inquired in Five States
The hearings which ended yes
terday developed testimony that
Mr.. Neff made inquiries in five
Western States to find out how
Senators stood on the bill. The
States were South Dakota. Ne
braska, Iowa. Montana and Wy
oming.
The committee was told that
Mr.. Neff also gave a $4,000 con-
tribution to Chairman Joseph
Wishart of the Nebraska State
Finance Committee.
At the final hearing yesterday
Mr.. Neff admitted he also Of
fered to arrange a contribution
for the campaign of Senator
Hickenlooper, Republican of
Iowa, if the Senator was ia
vorable to the gas bill. but there
was no evidence Of contribu-
ton having been made in Iowa,
Came From Keck Funds
The committee was told that
the money Mr.. Neff delivered to
the Nebraska committee and to
the friend of Senator Case in
South Dakota came from per-
sonal funds of Howard B. Keck
president of the Superior OH Co.
The Case contribution was
TUNED over to the Senate COM
mittee during the hearings. The
Associated Press reported from
LINCOLN today that the Nebraska
Republican Finance Committee
will decide March 10 what to do
with it's contribution.
David Martin of Kearney, for
mer Nebraska State chairman,
has suggested the $4,000 be
turned over to charity. But Mr..
Wishart said giving the money
to charity would be IAN admis-
sion of guilt where none exists. "
i Mr.. Wishart said he sees moth
ing wrong with the contribution,
but will let the committee dis
cuss it.
New Inquiry to Open
Meanwhile. a new bipartisan
Senate committee of 4 Demo-
Gratis and 4 Republicans is Or
ganiging to conduct a broad in
quiry into lobbying and cam
paign contributions. The new
committee will await q report
from the George group before
it starts.
The purpose of the general in
vestlgation will be to find out
how lobby and election laws
could be improved, but without
waiting for the hearings the
leaders Of both parties have
Joined in sponsoring a bill to
fix more realistic ceilings on
campaign funds, but to require
more complete reporting OF the
cost of elections.
Observation-Disclosures