Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-28
Continued From Page A.,

AOnA n obC
Q sufficient reason for dropping
him from the Advisory Com
mittee," Mr.. Freeman said.
This conclusion was based on
his view that it was q civil legal
dispute which did not affect his
qualifications to remain on the
committee.
UNFORTUNATELY, although this
decision was made in good
faith, it was a mistake, a fact
demonstrated even more clearly
by. subsequent events. But let
me repeat that, for this as well
as for other matters, as Secre-
taxy of Agriculture I assume
fun responsibility"
Mr.. Freeman's appearance
before the subcommittee
headed by Senator Mcclellan.
Democrat of Arkansas, was ex-
pected to spark political row
over Republican charges that
the administration has dragged
its feet in investigating Estes.
The Secretary contended that
actions we're taken las promptly
and decisively as a careful re-
view of a complicated and diff
cult situation would permit. "
A foretaste of what Mr..
Freeman could expect was
given at yesterdays hearing
when one of the Secretary's
chief assistants accused the
Eisenhower administration of
Eight years of neglect and
outright knitting" OF the farmer
committee system for admin
istering farm aid.
The charge was made by
Horace D. Godfrey, head of
the Agriculture Sterilization
and Conservation Service. 1t
brought an angry retort from
Senator Mundt, Republican of
South Dakota, who charged
that Mr.. Godfrey was using
"snide" tactics to- inject par
tisan politics into the hearing.
He called the testimony a
political stump speech"
Mundt Maps Reply
Senator Mundt said he wanted
to examine Mr.. Godfrey's
statement so he could prepare
to refute anything that needs
refuting."
As the hearing began, Sena-
tor Mcclellan said Mr.. Free
mans actual appearance on
the stand would be delayed
until afternoon.
He said members of the COM
mittee, had not received copies
Of Mr.. Freeman's statement
until this morning and his
testimony would be delayed to
give them time to study it.
The subcommittee's rules re-
quire prepared statements to be
submitted "a hours in advance.
But Mr.. Godfrey's blast caught
the subcommittee by surprise
for It had not been included in
his prepared remarks.
Senator Mcclellan said Mr..
Godfrey had gone q little afield
in. his remarks but most Of
what he said was proper. He
added that time would be given
the Senators to study the Sec
retary's statement before he
testified.
Mr.. Freeman completed his
statement late last night and
rushed copies Of it to the sub
committee, but by the time it
arrived at the Capitol most Of |
the members had gone home.
& Quizzed on Timing
Pending the Secretary's APP
pearance, Mr.. Godfrey was re-
called for questioning today.
Senator Curtis, Republican Of
Nebraska, pressed him on. why
the Estes cotton acreage allot-
ments were not Cancelled until
after Estes had been indicted
on fraud charges. The indict-
ment was returned April 5 and
the allotments were finally
Cancelled on April II. Mr.. God
frey said they would have been
Cancelled whether Estes had
been indicted or not.
The Freeman statement made
only q passing reference to the
accusations voiced by Mr..
Godfrey.
He said some Of the weak
nesses in the department may
of lack of real concern for
the administration Of farm