Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-03

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ities, but indicated he thought
members of Congress may have
q little more leeway than 9TH
ers in consulting the FEC.
At any rate, Mr.. Harris said,
Congress may have to take
action on this question Of
policy" '~s
Chairman Questions Statement
Commenting that Mr.. Baker
had delivered a VERY strong
statement" the chairman said,
Il don't think you should be
too proud of it,"
He added: IT can't see how
anybody on any side in this
case can be proud Of their gyra-
tons"
Representative Moss, Demo-
crat of California, questioned
whether the subcommittee could
force Senator's to testify. Chair
man Harris did not immedi-
ately indicate whether he had
subpoenas in mind.
Mr.. Baker denied Mr.. Harris
suggestion that he was defend
ing Mr.. Mack's financial rela-
lions with Mr.. Whiteside. II
don't mean to condone what he
did /. he was imprudent and
improvident, but / feel sorry
for him." Mr.. Baker said.
He went on:
1T appears that Commits
missioner Mack is being broken,
crucified and is about to be sent
home in disgrace while others
who exerted pressure are es-
Gaping punishment. - o.
Hale Sorry for Public
I'm sorry for Mr.. Mack, too.
but I'm sorry for the American
public that this kind Of thing
has been going on" Represent
tative Hale, Republican of
Maine, commented.
Representative Mack, Demo-
crat Of Illinois, not related to
Commissioner Mack, asked Mr..
Baker to supply data on his
1852 and 1856 contributions to
the Republican Party. Mr..
Baker said he had given finan-
cial support to Presidents
Roosevelt and Truman, as well
as President Eisenhower. II
always try to pick winners. he
remarked.
Under questioning by Rep
resentative Mack, Mr.. Baker
maintained that Col. @. Gordon
Moore, Mrs. Eisenhower's
brother-in-law, had no connec-
ton with his application for the
TV license. The subcommittee
has Notwithstanding testi-
mony that Col. Moore was ZEN
cheering" the National Air
lines bid.
Call for Broader Probe Backed
representative VOL
verton. Republican Of New
Jersey, Endorsed Mr.. Bakers
demand that the panel inves-
tigate the activities Of members
Of Congress in the TV case.
This must be q complete,
full investigation without pull
ing punches because Of the
standing of any one individual
inside or outside Congress-" Mr..
Wolverton declared.
Mr.. Moss urged Mr.. Baker to
furnish any evidence he may
have about pressures on FEC
members other than Commits
sioner Mack.
Mr.. Porter told reporters his
files are available to the sub
committee and said he was
ready to testify If called as q
witness.
Resignation RumOr Denied
On the question of Commits
sioner Mack's resignation, a
source close to the embattled
commissioner told The Star this
morning it was not true Mr..
Mack already had written and
submitted a letter to the White
House.
This spokesman declined to
comment on other published
reports that the White House
has ordered Mr.. Mack to quit
or be fred.
I'VE will talk 1t over today"
the source said in denying the
commissioner already had quit.
The Chicago Tribune reported
Mr.. Mack had submitted his
resignation but still hoped the
White House would relent and
postpone acceptance until more
evidence is in concerning his
role in the scramble for q Miami
television channel.
Firing Authority in Doubt
According to published re-
ports, Mr.. Mack received the
ultimatum to resign from Pres
idential Assistant Sherman
Adams and White House Coun-
sci Gerald D. Morgan. There
is some doubt about the Presi-
dents legal authority to fire a
member Of the FEC.
White House Press Secretary
James c. Hagerty was careful
today not to deny reports that