Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-24
TRANSFERS


Continued From First Page
himself from the scorching heat
that has been engendered by
the sordid revelations Of crime
and corruption that permeate
even the highest echelons Of the
Transfers organization. and
for which he bears the major
responsibility" asked Senator
Nice lellan.
Probe To Continue
He emphasized that the COM
mittee's current investigation of
the Transfers and of Hoffa's
activities will continue. 1.-The
committee" Senator McClel-
Ian added, win not be deferred
in its course of duty"
Senator Curtis, Republican
Of Nebraska, said Hoffa's let
ter indicated that the COM
mission Is merely advisory"
"Hoffa ana his gang" he
added, will still continue to
do the hiring and firing"
Senator Erwin, Democrat of
North Carolina, another COM
mittee member, pointed out
that Hoffa put most of the
Teamster men under fire where
they are in the union, and re-
marked: THE commission
might be good for the accused"
Hoffa, in his letter, said
the committees Investigations
have raised doubts Gin some
minds about this question of
alleged racketeers and gang
sters," and added:
Il intend to allay these
doubts. / intend to meet square
ly charges of corruption"
HOffa Sets Mission
He said the commission will
be charged specifically with in
veStigating and advising on Cd
infliltration of racketeers or
lgangsterS into local and inter-
national union Offices and ~
any alliance with racketeers or
gangsters at any level of the
international union or its sub
ordinate bodies.
He said the commission would
counsel and advise with me"
on individual Teamsters ac-
cused Of criminal connections
and said:
II wish to make 1t clear that
II do not consider the mere ex-
istence of a record of past con-
victions as automatic grounds
for denouncing an individual.
But we shall we guided by the
study and recommendations of
our anti-racketeering commits
sion."
Hoffa said that on the
basis of the commissions rec
concentrations I'VE shall take
all steps consistent with the
unions constitution" In testi-
mony before the Mcclellan
committee he has expressed a
similar view that action against
various individuals accused of
gangster and criminal activities
was being taken in accordance
with the unions constitutions
His creation of the commits
sion Immediately raised ques-
tons in the minds of some Sem
atorS of whether it was a move
to thwart not only the Senate
committee but also the board of
monitors appointed by Federal
court here to supervise Team
ster activities.
Monitor Moves
The monitors already have
moved against owen (Bert)
Brennan, Detroit Teamster
leader, vice president Of the
international union, and a close
friend and business associate of
Hoffa. The action was taken
after Brennan invoked the Fifth
Amendment before the McClel-
Ian Committee and refused to
answer any questions about his
business ventures with Hoffa
and other matters.
In his several appearances
before the committee, Hoffa
said he was not familiar with
the details Of a horse betting
venture with Brennan which
has netted him, according to
his income tax returns. thou
sands of dollars since 1850. He
said Brennan could answer the
questions-but Brennan refused
to talk.
Numerous other Teamsters
have been named by the COM
nittee as having criminal rec
ords. These include Hoffa S