Evening star., 1961-01-25

on civil liberties. economies al
Mr.. Hoffa, president Of Il
the probers, asked them a i
speeches lauding the benefit
his union has won for 1t
members.
At one point in his testimon!
before the Senate Investiga
tions Subcommittee, he chal
lenged Chairman Mcclellan
Democrat Of Arkansas, to
debate. At another point. HI
told Subcommittee Counse
Jerome S. Alderman: "If yol
want to run against Hoffa
you come to the convention
and run; you wouldn't get ont
vote"
Senator Mcclellan told tht
witness to "cut out the srnar
remarks" but Mr.. Hoffa main
tanned his offensive.
"Not Afraid Of Anybody"
Mr.. Alderman suggested tina
MIR. Hoffa is afraid" to remove
corrupt officials from office
because they might testif!
against him. Mr.. Hoffa shouted
back: "Hoffa isn't afraid O.
anybody. including you.
I'm in pretty good shape"
AS for charges that he con
dones racketeering in thu
union, Mr.. Hoffa replied: &c.
don't believe we have any
thieves and crooks"
He defended the right Of hi
subordinates to invoke th'
Fifth Amendment in refusing
to answer questions. declar
ing: That's what the war
were for"
Confronted with testimon.
that local officials have plund
cred union treasures. MI
Hoffa boasted about the wag'
and fringe benefits the Team
sters have won for the mem
bers, and said Senator Nc
Clellan's home State has
law providing minimum wage
of only 81 a day for won1er
and $1.25 for men.
Challenges Charges
The Teamsters Union. HI
said, has prospered despit'
harassment," and he advised
the subcommittee against pro-
posing laws restricting orga'
nized labor. The United StateI
. is in trouble around the world
he said, largely because 81
million Americans earn les!
than $40 a week.
Under interrogation abou
charges that he has refused tt
move forcefully against racket
eering in his union. Mr.. Hoffs
took this tack:
He challenged the truth o.
the charges and scolded thu
subcommittee for admitting
much of the evidence.
He said he lacks authorit.
to infere in the local auton
omy" of his unions subordinate
bodies, to oust officials charged
with corruption.
He said he would act agains
such officials 'in due time,
but not until the charges ar
proved under judicial proceed
ings.
Mentions Senate Junkets
He denied responsibility b
investigaet the charges. in mos
cases. on his own initiative
beyond asking the accused Of
ficals whether or not they ar
guilty Of wrongdoing.
Discussing the case Of Jo
seph Grace. president Of Loca
lot in Philadelphia, he sait
money paid to Mr.. Grace b!
vote Of the members was NJ
different from Senators taking
"pnkets" at the expense Of tax
payers.
AS for earlier testimony b!
insurgent members Of Loca
LOT about "goon squads" Mr.
Hoffa said he could not act OF
"rumors. Il the insurgent'
have any real evidence. he said
they should 60 to the police
Officials who have been con
victed and served sentences
Mr.. Hoffa contended. should bt
allowed to run for office aftel
paying their penalty, because
they should have the oppor'
tunity for rehabilitation"
Mr.. Hoffa said former Sen
ator George H. Bender, Repub'
lican Of Ohio. has not yet made
a final report on the work o.
the misunderstanding com
mission" set up by the unior
in 1858. He estimated that Mr.
Bender received about $4,000
from the union for his worl
on the commission.
Truck Drivers Testify
The reports of "goon squads
came from two Philadelphi;
truck drivers who said tina
rank-and-file members fight