INVESTIGATIONS: New Smells

Much of the load of corruption and maladministration which the Democrats bear in the current campaign was unearthed by congressional investigating committees during the 82nd Congress. The digging slacked off last spring, and it appeared that the Republican campaign would get no fresh ore from the congressional committees. Last week, however, brought a new spate of charges.

Texas’ Representative Olin Teague dug into maladministration of the G.I. housing program. Kentucky’s Frank Chelf traced the St. Louis Internal Revenue scandals right up to the Department of Justice. Texas’ Senator Lyndon Johnson sifted the delays in U.S. mobilization.

The striking fact was that most of the avid investigators were Democrats. Republicans would say this proved that the Democratic Administration was so rotten that even the Democrats couldn’t stand it. Democrats would take the line that it merely proved their party’s diligence in cleaning house.

In either case, the wind was blowing from Washington again, and the stink was powerful.