RESALE PRICES Committee on the Judiciary: Chairman Celler of the Subcommittee on the Study of Monopoly Power announced today that hearings will commence on February 13 on bills, referred to the subcommittee, relating to the establishment of minimum resale prices by manufacturers engaged in interstate commerce. COMMUNISM Committee on Un-American Activities: Concluded questioning of Grace Granich at today's session regarding the magazine Voice of China, which was edited and published by her and her husband, Max Granich. This publication was printed in Shanghai in 1936 and 1937 and allegedly contained pro-Communist propaganda. Both refused to answer any questions put to them relative to their membership in the Communist Party or pertaining to their participation in Communist Party activities on the ground that to do so might tend to incriminate them. VETERANS' HOUSING LOANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee held hearings on H. R. 5893, authorizing $150 million additional for direct home and farmhouse loans to eligible veterans. Testimony was received from the following— Guy H. Birdsall, Assistant Administrator for Legislation, Frank W. Kelsey, Director of Finance, and T. B. King, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, all of the Veterans' Administration; C. H. Olson and Ralph H. Lavers, of the American Legion; Adin M. Downer, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Charles E. Foster of the Disabled American Veterans; and Rufus H. Wilson of the AMVETS. This bill will be considered executively by the subcommittee next Monday morning. Friday, January 18, 1952 HIGHLIGHTS House committee commenced hearings regarding Internal Revenue Bureau's reorganization plan. Chamber Action Senate The Senate was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held Monday, January 21, at 12 o'clock noon. Committee Meetings GRAIN WAREHOUSING Committee on Agriculture and Forestry: Committee, in morning session, heard the following witnesses testify on preliminary report of GAO on investigation of alleged irregularities in connection with warehousing facilities of the grain branch, PMA, Department of Agriculture, of Dallas, Tex.: Lindsay C. Warren, Comptroller General; William L. Ellis, Chief of Investigations; George H. Harms, investigator, Dallas regional office; Frank H. Weitzel, assistant to Comptroller General; Harry Grimes, investigator in charge of Dallas regional office; Stephen B. Ives, Director of Corporation Audits; Roy S. Lindgren, Assistant Director, Corporation Audits; and Roger Kirvan, Office of Investigations, all of GAO. In an afternoon session, Secretary of Agriculture Brannan testified on the same matter, accompanied by Gus F. Geissler, Administrator, PMA; Elmer F. Kruse, Assistant Administrator, Commodity Operations, PMA; W. Carroll Hunter, Solicitor; and Delbert J. Harrill, Chief, Office of Audit, PMA, all of Agriculture Depart ment. Following the hearing, committee, in executive session, agreed to report a resolution authorizing committee to make a study and investigation of CCC activities relating to storage and processing and alleged dealings in oil and gas interests by employees of the Farm Credit Administration. RFC NOMINATION Committee on Banking and Currency: In executive session, RFC Subcommittee heard Harry A. McDonald in connection with his nomination to be Administrator of the RFC. Following the meeting, the subcommittee announced that it would receive statements concerning the nomination through Thursday, January 24, and at that time would decide whether or not to hold further hearings. WAR DAMAGE Committee on Banking and Currency: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Banking conferred with representatives of the life insurance industry to receive their views concerning war damage legislation. D. C. CRIME Committee on the District of Columbia: Continuing hearings on crime conditions in D. C., Crime Subcommittee again questioned Emmitt Warring, alleged local gambler, regarding his financial status and possible income tax violations; heard Charles H. Nelson, salesman, and former manager of Brass Rail Tavern when it was owned by wife of Roger "Whitetop" Simkins, alleged numbers operator, on his employment there; and retired Detective Sergeant Ruben Nichols gave information concerning information he obtained regarding numbers racket in Washington while he was connected with the robbery squad of the Metropolitan Police Department. Hearings continue January 21. NOMINATIONS Committee on Finance: Committee heard testimony concerning their background and qualifications from the following three nominees: Maybelle Kennedy, of Oklahoma, to be Assistant Treasurer of the U. S.; V. Allen Hubbard, of Missouri, to be Collector of Customs, district 45, St. Louis; and Andrew N. Överby, of D. C., to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. The committee then, in executive session, ordered favorably reported the Kennedy and Overby nominations, and action on the Hubbard nomination was deferred until the next executive session. STAFF, SUBCOMMITTEE FUNDS, AND NOMINATIONS Committee on Labor and Public Welfare: In executive session, committee voted to report favorably to the Senate without amendment S. Res. 243, to continue staff of full committee at present level, and with amendment, S. Res. 244, authorizing certain expenditures for Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Committee also ordered reported sundry routine nominations in the Public Health Service, along with that of Leverett Edwards to be member of National Mediation Board. SENATOR MCCARTHY Committee on Rules and Administration: In executive session, Privileges and Elections Subcommittee accepted the preliminary report of its special subcommittee on S. Res. 187, relative to initiation of action with view to expulsion of Senator McCarthy. Chamber Action House of Representatives The House met briefly but conducted no legislative business. Committee Meetings UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING Committee on Armed Services: Gen. J. Lawton Collins, Chief of Staff, U. S. Army, testified during the morning hearings on H. R. 5904, to establish a universal military training and service program. The bill being considered was prepared by the National Security Training Commission by direction of Congress. In the afternoon session testimony was furnished by Vice Adm. Laurance T. Dubose, Chief of Naval Personnel, representing Admiral William M. Fechteler, Chief of Naval Operations; and Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Chief of Staff, U. S. Air Force. Adjourned until Tuesday morning when it will resume on same legislation. Legisla tive representatives of various veterans' organizations are among the witnesses scheduled to testify. INTERNAL REVENUE BUREAU Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments: Opened hearings to consider H. Res. 494, a resolution introduced by Representative Hoffman of Michigan, calling for the rejection of Reorganization Plan No. 1, relating to reorganization of the Internal Revenue Bureau. John W. Snyder, Secretary of the Treasury, was the first witness today and spoke on behalf of the Reorganization Plan. In his statement he said, in part, that the "basic purposes of the plan are to assure the integrity and improve the efficiency of the service; to bring the service into full accord with the merit system of Government employment; and to afford greater convenience and enlarged service to the taxpayer at his local level." Adjourned until Monday morning when John B. Dunlap, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, will testify. WORLD AFFAIRS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held executive discussions today with John Foster Dulles, consultant to the Secretary of State. Bills Reported: Reports were made as follows: H. R. 3540, to provide for boundary adjustments of the Badlands National Monument, S. Dak., with amendments (S. Rept. 1064); S. Res. 243, to continue staff of Committee on Labor and Public Welfare at present level, with amendment (S. Rept. 1065)—referred to Committee on Rules and Administration; S. Res. 244, authorizing certain expenditures for Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, with amendment (S. Rept. 1066)-referred to Committee on Rules and Administration; S. Res. 256, authorizing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to make a study and investigation of CCC activities relating to storage and processing and alleged dealings in oil and gas interests by employees of the Farm Credit Administration (S. Rept. 1067)-referred to Committee on Rules and Administration; Annual report of Select Committee on Small Business (S. Rept. 1068); The following private bills: S. 1361, 1426, 1428, 1781, 1782 (S. Repts. 1069–1073); S. 1811, suspension of statute of limitations involving offenses of Federal employees in performance of duties (S. Rept. 1074); The following private bills: S. 1998, 2004, 2157, H. R. 870, 961, 1131, 1964, 2072, 2505, 2589, 2662, 3006, 3137, 3946, 4228, 4318, 4671, 4876, S. 858, 1226, 1458, 1749, 2100, H. R. 1469, 2858, S. 2005, H. R. 2212, 4953 (S. Repts. 1075-1102); S. Res. 261, authorizing $97,000 additional funds for Subcommittee on Immigration of Committee on the Judiciary (S. Rept. 1103)-referred to Committee on Rules and Administration; S. Res. 258, extending time for investigation by Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of certain transportation and communication facilities (no writ XCVIII-DD- -2 ten report)-referred to Committee on Rules and Administration; S. Res. 260, authorizing $10,000 additional for Committee on the Judiciary (no written report)—referred to Committee on Rules and Administration. Pages 291-292 Budget: Senate received message from President transmitting budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 1953-referred to Committee on Appropriations. Committee Meetings NOMINATION Committee on Armed Services: In executive session, committee considered the nomination of Jack Gorrie, of Washington, to be Chairman of NSRB. Committee will continue tomorrow. D. C. CRIME Committee on the District of Columbia: Subcommittee on Crime, continuing its hearings on crime conditions in D. C., heard testimony during morning session from Maj. Robert V. Murray, Superintendent of Metropolitan Police Department, on information in his possession concerning the Brass Rail Tavern and circumstances surrounding a shooting affray there; Inspector Edgar E. Scott, Metropolitan Police Department, described his interview with the principals in said shooting; and Capt. Clyde Strange, precinct 12, testified concerning his record in the Metropolitan Police Department. In the afternoon, Charles B. Murray, Assistant U. S. Attorney, Washington, D. C., was heard on the two cases arising from the above-mentioned shooting, and Charles Stofberg, former administrative assistant to D. C. Commissioner John Russell Young, told of gifts he had received from lawyers whom he had recommended for Government positions. Subcommittee continues tomorrow. REGULATORY AGENCIES Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments: Subcommittee on Reorganization, in executive session, agreed to report to the full committee an amendment in the nature of a substitute for S. 1139, changes in laws applicable to regulatory agencies, and agreed to hold hearings on all other bills pending before it, as follows: S. 1142, to expand the activities of the Department of Labor; S. 1151, reorganization of the VA; S. 1140, to establish a Department of Health; S. 1145, to establish a Department of Social Security and Education; S. 1150, reorganization of Department of the Treasury; and S. 1143, reorganization of Department of Interior. Subcommittee will consider first those measures of a noncontroversial nature. JAPANESE PEACE TREATY, AND ILO CONVENTIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: In morning session, committee heard Secretary of State Acheson; John Foster Dulles, Consultant to Secretary of State; and Gen. Omar Bradley, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, urge ratification of Japanese Peace Treaty and related security pacts in the Pacific (Exec. A, B, C, and D, 82d Cong., 2d sess.). Committee continues tomorrow on this matter. In afternoon session, Assistant Secretary of State John D. Hickerson and Assistant Secretary of Labor Philip Kaiser testified before a subcommittee in favor of ratification of four International Labor Organization conventions: Convention No. 68, concerning food and catering for crews aboard ship; No. 69, concerning certificates of ships' cooks; No. 73, concerning medical examination of seafarers; and No. 74, concerning certificates of able seamen (Exec. R, S, Y, and Z, respectively, 80th Cong., 1st sess.). Subcommittee adjourned subject to call. INDIAN ATTORNEY CONTRACTS Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs: Subcommittee heard testimony from Dillon S. Myer, Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and James Curry, local attorney, on Indian attorney contracts. Subcommittee continues Wednesday. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, COMMITTEE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee, in executive session, voted to report favorably S. 1811, suspension of statute of limitations involving offenses of Federal employees in performance of duties; an original resolution (S. Res. 261) requesting additional funds for Subcommittee on Immigration; an original resolution (S. Res. 260) requesting additional funds for the committee under the Reorganization Act; and committee resolution requesting Senate action on S. 1570, immunity of witnesses appearing before congressional committees, along with 13 private immigration bills (S. 1226, 1361, 1426, 1428, 1781, 1782, H. R. 870, 961, 1469, 2505, 2589 4671 and 4876), and 20 private claims bills (S. 858, 1458, 1749, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2100, 2157, H. R. 1131, 1964, 2072, 2212, 2662, 2858, 3006, 3137, 3946, 4228 4318, and 4953). Committee indefinitely postponed S. 612, concerning bankruptcy of wage earner, and S. 1799, prohibiting interstate transportation of farm machinery with serial number removed, along with 30 private immigration bills and 19 private claims bills. Committee also voted to refer to subcommittee, with instructions to report back not later than January 28, S. Res. 245, to investigate administration of Trading With the Enemy Act, and approved motion to vote February 18 on S. 25, concerning bankruptcy of farmerdebtor. Chamber Action House of Representatives Bureau. Mr. Dunlap was accompanied by a staff of assistants and presented charts and figures that supplemented the testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury, John W. Snyder, which was presented last Friday. Both witnesses today were also cross-examined extensively by the committee regarding their statements. COMMUNISM Committee on Un-American Activities: Resumed its investigation of communistic activities in Hollywood and questioned four witnesses regarding information on, or association with, Communist functionaries in other parts of California as well as Hollywood. Hearings were last conducted in September of 1951 on the west coast. Committee will meet in executive session on this subject tomorrow morning. VETERANS' HOUSING LOANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: A subcommittee unanimously reported favorably to the full committee H. R. 5893, with an amendment which provides for making available $25 million each quarter, beginning April 1, 1952, for direct loans, this sum to be decreased by such amount as is received by the Veterans' Administration in the form of proceeds from the sale of previously made mortgages. (The Veterans' Administration is at the present time endeavoring to sell to private banks and mortgage houses approximately $108 million of mortgages made under the direct-loan program.) Representative Adair, of Indiana, reserved the right to present additional views when the full committee considers the proposal. Tuesday, January 22, 1952 HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed D. C. home rule bill. House committees continued hearings on universal military training and Internal Revenue Bureau reorganization. |