Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-10-08
Release Left in Air

Committee Chairman Harris,
Democrat of Arkansas, refused
to say whether the testimony
of the two producers would be
made public later. He said it
was likely both would be called
again.
The closed session had been
requested by Mr.. Enright. His
partner on the program, Jack
Barry. also has been subpoe-
naed for testimony but did not
attend the closed meeting.
Edward Kletter, an executive
of the firm which sponsored
the Twenty-One show, said at
one point in testimony yester-
day that he was told by Mr..
Enright that Mr.. Van Doren
had been advanced $4,000 while
still a contestant.
Mr.. Kletter said Mr.. Van
Doren was then theoretically
in a position of losing all MS
winnings if he lost on the show
Mr.. Kletter said he was agree
able to the advance because
he regarded Mr.. Van Doren as
a good risk even if he were to
lose all he had won on the
show. Mr.. Van Doren even
tually won $4,000.
The NBC official was ques-
toned about Mr.. Van Doren
after telling the subcommittee
that Mr.. Felsher was fired when
he refused to give a sworn
statement. He said he de-
manded the statement after
learning last week that the
producer had been subpoenaed
by the subcommittee.
He testified that he did not
know Mr.. Felsher had been
Subpoenaed and testified before
New York grand jury investi-
eating the quiz shows. Mr.. Fell
sher could not be reached in
New York for comment, the
Associated Press reported.
Representative Springer, Re-
publican of Illinois, suggested
lit would seem appropriate that
NBC should require a similar
affidavit from Mr.. Van Doren.
Mr.. Erwin testified that no
statement had been requested
from him and he knew of no
plans for NBC to investigate
Mr.. Van Doren's role on the
Twenty-One program. He said
it was difficult for NBC to con.
duct such an investigation and
noted that Mr.. Van Doren had
sent a telegram to the commit
tee. He would hope, Mi. Erwin
added, that he would testify |
and that "NBC would have the |
benefit of his testimony"
Suggests Film Viewing
Mr.. Harris, in turn, suggest
ed "it might be helpful" to the
committee If Mr.. Erwin would
view kinescope films of the
show on which Mr.. Van Doren
appeared against New York
history student Herbert Stem
pei land try to reconcile what
occurred"
Subcommittee members COM
frequently on the long
odds against the contestants
picking the same points to try
for and tying repeatedly on the
show.
From four contestants in all
and from two press agents for
the Twenty-One show the in.
vestigators have received testI-
mony that it was rugged.
The press agents, Alfred
Davis and Arthur Franklin, also
testified that a lawyer for them
and Barry & Enright advised |
them not to tell New York Off
Gals the truth about the infor-
they had received that
contestants were supplied ques-
lions and answers in advance. |
They also said they were ad-
vised to get out of town "as
far away as possible" to the
Cocos island or somewhere.
They identified the lawyer |
as Edwin Slote. In New York,
the lawyer denied the charges
and called the testimony |
wholly unfounded and born
out of desperation and person. |
atty animosity," the Associated |
Press reported.