Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-23
Falling Hoffo Memory
Stirs Kennedy Rebuke

the chartering of seven locals
in the New York area in
November. 1855, were clearer.
He explained that Beck had
ordered him to discuss the
matter of charters with union
administration officer Einar
Mohn. If the persons seeking
charters qualified. the charters
would be issued, Hoffa said.
PrObed Through Mcnamara
| He said he investigated the
qualifications Of the charter
seekers through John Nc
Namara, who at that time was
seeking election as president
of Transfers Joint Council IS
! in New York.
Hoffa described in minute
detail conversation in Wash
ington between himself and
Mcnamara, and then went on
to describe other conversations
which he said he understood
had taken place after he him
self had left Washington and
gone back to Detroit.
did you examine at all the
type Of people you were at
tempting to bring into the
Transfers Union?" he was
asked.
81 didn't personally" Hoffa
replied.
Mr.. Kennedy then asked
Hoffa if he did not know about
the unsavory record of Dio,
and quoted New York County
District Attorney Frank Hogan
as saying at that time that |
Dio's local Of the United Auto.
mobile Workers had existed Ito
extort from the public"
Hoffa answered to the effect |
that he had read some of these |
stories in the newspapers but |
disclaimed responsibility for
the persons who finally got into |
the union.
Asked II He Blames Beck
Senator Mcclellan asked
Hoffa whether he was trying
to place the blame for this
on Dave Beck?"
If I'm elected president OF
this international union, there
will be considerably less char
tiers in New York as a result of |
what this committee has found"
Hoffa said. He added that he !
would seek constitutional |
changes which would make it |
impossible to do in the future
what he himself did in the
past. namely circumvent local |
authorities in matters OF !
chartering new locals.
At this point, Senator Ives. |
asked Hoffa whether he was
going to be elected president of |
the International Brotherhood |
of Transfers.
From indications around the |
country, I believe So" Hoffa |
said.
@. Well. what are you going
to do after you are elected?
You've consorted with all these
buns and criminals. Are YOU
going to change your way Of
living?
A. intend to conduct my
self with responsibility because
realize that the people who
put me in can put me out Of |
Office.
Promises Clean Union
@. Are you going to change
things around when you are
elected?
A. In my own area. I have
did as much good for the work. |
ing man as any individual in |
the United States.
@. Well. the kind of people |
you have been consorting with
in New York haven't been do
ing you any good.
A. recognize that. A. You
are asking If I am going to run
a clean union and the answer is
absolutely yes.
Hoffa said his last phone
conversation with Dio was
after July" when Dio called |
to tell him Of his conviction.
Dio asked him to be Of las
sistance" to his wife. II neces-
sary. the Transfers vice presi-
dent testified.
Mr.. Kennedy suggested the
request might indicate Hoffa
was 'one Of dos closest
friends" but Hoha denied the
implication. He brushed Do
of as "a friendly acquaint-
ance."