Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-21
Official Tells
OF StockpiIe
Manipu|dtiOns
By the Associated Press

William N. Lawrence, a stock
pile official, says purchase goals
for lead and zinc were manipu-
lated upward for several years
under directives from Arthur
S. Flemming.
But Mr.. Lawrence backed
away from the repeated charge
by Senator Symington, Demo-
crat Of Missouri, that Mr.. Flem-
ming, former Eisenhower ad-
miniStration official who now
Is president of the University
of Oregon, broke the law"
In New York City, Mr.. Flem-
ming said. MY policy on all
these matters is that I will
comment on them after I've
had the opportunity of examin-
ing the file. And of course
when I do, I will comment be-
fore the subcommittee"
Losses Charged
Senator Symington, chair
man of an Armed Services Sub
committee investigating Fed
eral stockpiling operations,
noted that the taxpayers now
have more than $3.50 million
invested in inventories Of more
than one million tons each of
lead and zinc.
"They already have lost over
5000 million in value" Senator
Symington said.
Mr.. Lawrence testified yes
terday that he and other stock
pile staff officials protested to
Mr.. Flemming, then director
of defense mobilization, that
the Government needed no
more zinc nor lead to meet
estimated defense needs.
He quoted Mr.. Flemming as
saying higher goals were need
ed in order to continue stock
pile purchases in 1954-57 of
both zinc and lead.
WAS not this improper"
Senator Symington asked.
That's correct, sir" Mr..
Lawrence agreed.
Senator Symington asked
what the Flemming directives
did to morale Of the career
Government stockpile experts
who opposed buying more OF
the metals.
II don't think anybody en-
joyed wasting money as we
did," Mr.. Lawrence replied.
Industry Support Cited
Mr.. Lawrence told the SUBJ
committee there was a decision
by the Eisenhower cabinet to
stockpile the metals in order to
support the lead-zinc indus
try"
He testified that Mr.. Flem-
ming produced an order from
President Eisenhower, dated
July Is, 1854, directing that
the stockpile contain not less
than one years normal supply
of any critical or strategic ma
terial.
Although the previous zinc
stockpile goal had been reached
Mr.. Lawrence said, Mr.. Elem.
ming directed it be raised b.
using 1855 as a base year. Tha'
was a record year for zinc pro
duction. AS for lead. Mr.
Lawrence said Mr.. FlemminI
used a three-year average tt
fix the goal when the previous
years figure would have caused
a cutback.
This gave the legal cover II
buy as much lead and zinc as
they wanted to buy?" Senator
Symington asked.
That's correct, SIR" Mr.
Lawrence replied.
Protests Recalled
Then Mr.. Flemming was
violating the intent of the law,
Senator Symington pressed.
Mr.. Lawrence said he did
not want to get into that" but
added that he and other work.
ing staff personnel protested.
What did Mr.. Flemming tell
them? Senator Symington
wanted to know.
Mr.. Lawrence said he could
not remember the exact words
but Mr.. Flemming implied
that he, too, was under a di-
receive.
Your testimony is that you
were told by DR.. Flemming to
use any method which could
be justified to buy more lead
and zinc, regardless of any
presidential directive or stat
ute?" Senator Symington asked.
Eyes sir" Mr.. Lawrence re-
piled.
Mr.. Flemming, who be-
came Secretary Of Welfare in
the Eisenhower administration,
previously has testified before