Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-17
Adams Denies Using
Influence for GoIdfine

Continued From First rage
OF Mr.. Adams. 1t was called
to his attention by Subcommit-
tee Counsel Robert w. Lish-
man. who recalled that Mr..
Adams communicated with the
then ETC Chairman Edward
Howrey and asked whether in
formation requested by Mr.
Goldfine could be obtained. Mr.
Lishman then read an FTC
rule on "conidentiality" OF
commission material and pro-
ceedings and asked Mr.. Adams
whether he was aware Of this
rule when he got in touch with
Mr.. Howrey.
Il was not" Mr.. Adams re-
Piled.
Mr.. Adams explained that in
his communication with Mr.
Howrey he made no references
to the merits Of the Goldfint
case. but simply passed along
Mr.. Goldflne's request for in
formation. He said he knew
nothing Of the merits of the
case and did not intend To
acquaint himself with the mat
ter.
Complainant Revealed
Mr.. Lishman insisted thai
Mr.. Goldfine, after the call tc
Mr.. Adams. received consider
able detailed information from
the ETC and that this appar-
emily included the name of the
complainant against alleged
misbranding practices by
Gold1lne mill.
1T seems to me that the
record is clear" the subcom-
mittee counsel told Mr.. Adams
"Mr. Goldflne did get prefer
entail treatment in receiving
in formation from an independ-
ent agency to which he was not
entitled"
Il repeat" Mr.. Adams said
shat l made no special request
whatever. I was unfamilier with
the rules"
Whe MIR. Lishman brought
1 nthe SEC as we'll as ETC pro-
ceedings affecting Mr.. Goldfine
he remarked again that III
would appear Mr.. Goldfine die
receive preferential informa-
ton and was able to have in
formation passed on to hin
which was in a confidential
file"
Adams Takes Issue
Mr.. Adams calmly took ISSUE
with what he called Mr.. Lish
mans "unfarranted assump
ton"
Il have consulted the SEt
counsel and / have no knowl
edge that Mr.. Goldfine had &C
cess to any information of tina
kind in a confidential file" h
said. LAS for the ETC, 1t wa
routine practice to make in
Quiries submitted to us con
corning matters in regulator
agencies. We had no knowl
edge that the material was con
1idential. So far as we know
no caveat or condition was at
tached to it,"
Representative Flynt, Demo
crat of Georgia. asked Nj
Adams whether he believed
regulatory agency officii
Knight attach a great del
more significance to a call froi
you than from a lawyer {
member Of Congress"
II think that goes into a vel
important question" Mr.. Ac
ans answered. 1T is a vel
proper question. Whether 1t
wise or not is a matter tn,
might be considered by YOU
committee. A very fine line
distinction is involved"
SHES at Decisions
In response to another que
ton on how to draw a diStint
ton between a simple reQue
for routine information and
request that might confli
with agency rules, Mr.. Adam
remarked;
I'D hate to have to sit {
q jury and decide the idiosyl
GRASSES Of every question.
Mr.. Adams told the commi
tee he has no excuses TO off
and did not come before it
apologize.
IF there have been al
errors" he said, they we
errors of judgment and expel
ence. I might add that am !
hedging in experience in Go
eminent. But l cannot full
agree with the implications"
/, Mr.. Adams recNed one