Law Men Rap Conant Use of Wire-Tapping

The American Association of Lawyers in Germany has sharply criticized the policies of U.S. High Commissioner and former Harvard President James B. Conant '14, and named a committee to investigate whether telephones in his headquarters were equipped with recording devices.

Chief Justice William Clark of the United States Appeals Court in Germany was named head of a three-man group to investigate the wire tapping reports in Bonn.

"We know the telephones are equipped with recording devices," Earl Carroll, an attorney, told reporters.

A Dirty Business

Clark, in recommending the resolution for the investigation said: "I think we are put in the position of being spied upon, and that is dirty business."

He told me the High Commission would not be represented at our meeting," Clark announced. "He said to me; 'I don't care what those boys talk about.'"

"Lamb told me the High Commission would not be represented at our meeting." Clark announced. "He said to me: 'I don't care what those boys talk about.'"

Lawyers Adopt Resolution

The resolution stated:

1. That High Commission telephones have recording devices "and that the persons speaking to (High Commission) employees are not advised they are being recorded."

2. That this association condemns the seemingly universal practice of German magistrates whereby they throw United Sates citizens into jail without trial and without opportunity to offer reasonable bail."

This is not the first time the High Commissioner's office has been charged with high pressure security moves. Earlier this year maids in service of officials were questioned about their employers.