National Affairs: McGrath on Morris

Attorney General J. Howard McGrath last February reluctantly agreed to President Truman’s choice of Republican Newbold Morris as a special assistant to the Attorney General to clean up corruption in the Democratic Administration. This week, before a House judiciary subcommittee, McGrath sourly testified that he’d already had more than enough of Morris’ help.

Reformer Morris had sent long questionnaires to several thousand high Federal officials, asking them about their private finances. The House subcommittee wondered if well-to-do Lawyer McGrath had yet filled out his copy of the questionnaire. Answer: “I haven’t decided whether I’ll fill it out or whether I will advise anybody else in the Government to do so.”

McGrath was reminded of a Morris announcement that those who don’t reply should be discharged. Snapped the Attorney General: “Mr, Morris has made a lot of announcements. I haven’t tried to keep up with them all” Then came a crusher: In the light of what had happened, and if he had the chance again, would McGrath take on Morris as his special assistant? The crushing response: “I would not.”