Senator MUNDT. I was sure of that, and I am glad you said that, because this was in an article on another page on which your picture appeared with Mr. Boyle. I did not want that implication to be carried on. Senator HOEY. I do not know whether they got in the picture of Senator Nixon and Mr. Boyle or not. I do not know whether they got that in or not. I think we better have that added. Senator MUNDT. He was not in the picture I saw. Senator NIXON. There was a picture taken of me with Mr. Boyle, shaking hands with him. We were not discussing this case. I want to say that no implication should be drawn-and I think it is quite obvious from my questioning that I think that Mr. Boyle has been vindicated by the record up to this point. Senator MCCLELLAN. You think he has? Senator NIXON. I said no implication that he has been vindicated. Senator HOEY. I have followed the following policy as chairman of this committee: I have made no statement whatever even in vindication or in conviction of Mr. Boyle, as I would not do with anybody else, until the hearing was concluded and have all of the facts disclosed, when we have reached some conclusion. Senator MUNDT. I was sure that was the case. I was not implying that you had. Senator MCCLELLAN. Why do you not make it more sure about all of us? I will have to summarize. Senator MUNDT. I will make it sure that it is all of the committee, unless somebody wishes to voice a contrary opinion. Senator HOEY. I think that is unanimous. Senator NIXON. The Chair does not mind if I ask some questions now? Senator HOEY. I said Senator Nixon. I was not asking you to make a speech. Senator NIXON. The Chair, of course, would grant that, at least, speech No. 2. Senator HOEY. I thought you had some questions. All right. Senator NIXON. I have. Mr. Link, at the outset of the questioning today you did indicate that you had been working for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Since apparently the question at issue-and let me say, incidentally, that I think as this investigation has broadened in scope, this has become one of the many issues, but possibly not the major issue in this case at this point certainly from the standpoint of the amount of money that Mr. Boyle received, when you compare $8,000 with $100,000 or $150,000, it does not appear as important as it might appear at this moment. Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. But, nevertheless, what has been drawn into question is your ability as an investigator and as a reporter. Could you give me in just a few words what experience you have had as an investigator in this field? I mean, is this the first case of this type that you have undertaken? You indicated that you had a case in Illinois. Do you have any other cases that you could tell the committee about in just a word? 81249-51-pt. 3- -52 Mr. LINK. Lots of them. I mean, I started in the newspaper business in 1924; was on the Star. That later became the Star-Times. Then I left the Star in 1933 and worked for the Bar Associations of Missouri and St. Louis, National Lead Co., Metropolitan Life, breaking a silicosis racket down in southeast Missouri, worked on that 4 years, then went to the Post-Dispatch, and have been on all kinds of cases, crime, murders, investigations, political, all types, mostly along the line that I am describing. Senator NIXON. You indicated a moment ago that you might have had some experience in libel suits. Was that experience personal or something that you may have read about? Mr. LINK. Oh, yes; we have had some libel suits, and have investigated quite a few of them. Senator NIXON. You have? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. You indicated that so far as your opinion was concerned that you were rather doubtful that a suit would be filed in this instance? Mr. LINK. I doubt it very much myself. That is my personal opinion. Senator NIXON. As a matter of fact, since an indication has been made that possibly the filing of a suit would determine whether or not Mr. Boyle considered your charges libelous or whether or not Mr. Boyle was or was not telling the truth, you would agree, would you not, that the mere filing of the suit would not mean too much unless it was brought to action? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Many libel suits are filed that are never brought to action? Mr. LINK. Oh, yes; lots of them; yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Is Mr. Bellino here? Mr. BELLINO. Yes. Senator NIXON. I am referring again to the staff, to the memorandum which I have before me, prepared at my request. Do I understand, Mr. Bellino, that you or some member of the staff-possibly I should put this question to Mr. Flanagan-do I understand that you, Mr. Flanagan, or some member of the staff have already interviewed Miss Boone; is that the name? Mr. FLANAGAN. Yes. She has been interviewed. Senator NIXON. Who interviewed her on our staff? Senator NIXON. Mr. Bellino. Since Miss Boone will be a witness, since Mr. Link has testified concerning his recollection as to what Miss Boone's statement was to him, I would like to know what Miss Boone told to our investigator, or I have before me the written record-can I read this and see if this is substantially what was told the investigator? Mr. BELLINO. I might say Senator HOEY. Just a moment. Do you not think it would be proper to let Miss Boone come in first and then do that? Senator NIXON. I am willing to do that. Senator HOEY. I think that would be better. ought to anticipate her as a witness. I do not think we Senator NIXON. We anticipated her a moment ago. Senator HOEY. That was just getting the information as to who it was. I think it would be entirely proper when she comes as a witness to use that. Senator NIXON. All that I can say at this time is that the statement that Miss Boone gave our investigators bore out the statement that she gave to you. Mr. LINK. It did. Senator NIXON. Now, further, from the standpoint of investigation I pointed out a moment ago that there was, according to our staff's study to date, $24,000 in cash which showed up as a result of the investigation of Mr. Siskind's bank account which had not been thoroughly investigated up to this time. Mr. FLANAGAN. That is right. We are still in that process. Senator NIXON. Let me suggest as one further line of investigation this item, and this shows the necessity for and I think the advisability of obtaining the full income-tax return: On Mr. Siskind's income-tax returns for the years 1949 and 1950, there were listed forwarding fees in addition to the so-called forwarding fees paid to Mr. Boyle in the sum of $33,000 in 1949 and in the sum of $28,000 in 1950, a total sum of $61,000. When Mr. Siskind was on the stand we had an opportunity to question him just briefly about those fees, and his answer to the question was that they were just paid to attorneys who sent him cases. I think it would be well for the staff to investigate as much as possible that very, very substantial payment of money to attorneys, to see whether or not any of the people to whom that money was paid had any connection with Mr. Boyle. When you were using the term $8,000 in the story, did I understand you to say that you considered that one-half, approximately, of the total fee? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. That had been paid in this case? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. In other words, on the basis of the information you received from your informants, you assumed that Mr. Siskind, then, got $8,000, also? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Let me ask you this question, also, in that connection: You were aware of the testimony that Mr. Boyle and Mr. Siskind gave in regard to how they handled this transaction on their incometax returns? Mr. LINK. I read it; yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Do you recall that Mr. Siskind pointed out in answer to testimony that he did not earmark these funds that were received from the so-called Boyle cases, the 23 cases that he claimed to have sold, and leaving out the one case, and the only case which he claimed not to have sold? Mr. LINK. Yes. Senator NIXON. You will note, also, that what Mr. Siskind didSenator HOEY. That is a vote. Have we about finished? Senator NIXON. Yes; I have about. Senator HOEY. You may be excused. Senator MCCLELLAN. Are you saying you are finished? Senator MCCLELLAN. I want to ask one other question. Will you check immediately and let us know whether that date May 4, I believe it is, or May something, 1950, is correct, or if it is a typographical error? Mr. LINK. Yes, sir. Senator NIXON. Let me say I want to make it clear I had not finished questioning Mr. Link. However, I do not want the newspapermen to go through what they did the last few days, and any further questions I have, they can be developed at a later session with Mr. Link. Senator HOEY. Thank you for appearing. You are excused. (Whereupon, at 4: 45 p. m., the subcommittee adjourned, to reconvene at the call of the chairman.) INFLUENCE IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1951 UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN The subcommittee met, pursuant to adjournment, at 11:15 a. m. in room 357, Senate Office Building, Senator Clyde R. Hoey (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senator Clyde R. Hoey, of North Carolina; Senator John L. McClellan, of Arkansas; Hubert H. Humphrey, of Minnesota; Joseph R. McCarthy, of Wisconsin; Senator Karl E. Mundt, of South Dakota; and Senator Richard M. Nixon, of California. Also present: Francis D. Flanagan, chief counsel; Howell J. Hatcher, chief assistant counsel; Carmine S. Bellino, accounting consultant; Jerome S. Adlerman, assistant counsel; William A. Leece, assistant counsel; Walter L. Reynolds, chief clerk; and Ruth Young, clerk. Senator HOEY. The subcommittee will come to order. Miss Janet Boone will take the stand. Miss Boone, would you stand up just a minute. Hold up your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the evidence you give in this hearing shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Miss BOONE. I do. Senator HOEY. Have a seat. Give your name and address to the reporter. TESTIMONY OF JANET BOONE, OF ST. LOUIS, MO. Miss BOONE. Janet Boone, J-a-n-e-t B-o-o-n-e, St. Louis. Miss BOONE. Mr. W. R. Bendy. He is a consulting cement engineer. Senator HOEY. Were you formerly employed by the American Lithofold Company? Miss BOONE. Yes. Senator HOEY. From what time? Miss BOONE. From January 1945 until July 1, 1950. Senator HOEY. 1945 through July 1950. What position did you hold with American Lithofold Co.? Miss BOONE. I was a stenographer. I relieved on the switchboard and did general office work. Senator HOEY. Did that include bookkeeping? Miss BOONE. No, sir. |