important. That was supposed to be a liaison corporation, which
would keep liaison with local chapters throughout the country.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Clark knew all about the purposes for which
this money was to be used?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Mr. Clark knew nothing whatsoever about this.
except he agreed to give me $100,000 to try to work against inflation;
and 1 reported to him from time to time as to the progress that
thought was being made and the results that were being accomplished,
but no details.
The CHAIRMAN. Have you given Mr. Clark an accounting as to
how this money was spent?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I have not, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. He drew, himself, from his own personal account
large sums of money toward this approximately $100,000, did he not?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Ile drew altogether from his personal account
about $50,000.
The CHAIRMAN. He drew from his custody account?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. He drew from his custody account.
The CHAIRMAN. Or that was his act, because you were authorized
to do so?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. He knew what you were doing?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I told him after I had drawn it that I had drawn it.
The CHAIRMAN. Can you give the committee any evidence as to
how any of that $64,000 was spent other than the general statement
you have just made?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. None other than the general statement I have
just made.
The CHAIRMAN. You were interested in this Committee for Sound
Currency and a Sound Dollar and its make-up?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. No.
The CHAIRMAN. You were interested to know who comprised it,
were you not?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I was more interested-
The CHAIRMAN. My question was, "Were you interested to know
who comprised it?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Not the parent organization.
The CHAIRMAN. Do you know who did comprise it?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I do not.
The CHAIRMAN. Have you brought with you photostatic copies
of various letters dealing with this incorporation?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I have brought a report which Mr. MacGuire
gave to me, which I think includes a lot of information about the
formation of the committee.
The CHAIRMAN. The committee on sound currency and a sound
dollar kept an accurate statement of its receipts and expenditures-
is that true-as shown by this audit?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Mr. MacGuire told me he had a public auditor,
and he gave me a final audit report.
The CHAIRMAN. He made a statement as to the expenditures on
his trip to Europe, did he not?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes; he did.
The CHAIRMAN. He has never submitted as statement in reference
to the $64,000?
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Mr. CHRISTMAS. No. I told him he did not need to.
The CHAIRMAN. I did not ask you that. He never has submitted a
statement about the $64,000, has he?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Nothing, other than his oral explanation, as I
have stated before.
The CHAIRMAN. Other than that it was used for entertainment and
traveling expenses?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes; and as I said, from time to time he would
come back from a trip and report that he had spent so much and offer
to go more into detail with me.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you know about Mr. MacGuire's or Mr.
Doyle's visit to General Butler?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I do not know about Mr. Doyle. Mr. MacGuire
told me he had visited General Butler on several occasions.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you know about the first visit?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I believe he told me about all of his visits.
The CHAIRMAN. Did he tell you what the purpose of the first visit
was?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I cannot remember whether it was on the first
visit or at a subsequent date, someone had the idea it might be a good
thing to try and get General Butler to make a speech to the conven-
tion in favor of sound currency.
The CHAIRMAN. Who made that suggestion?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I think it was Mr. MacGuire's in the first in-
stance. I am not sure.
The CHAIRMAN. Well, now, was there any talk as to General Butler
running as national commander for the American Legion?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. No.
The CHAIRMAN. What did he say about this speech on sound
currency, as you put it?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. You mean Mr. MacGuire?
The CHAIRMAN. Yes.
Mr. CHRISTMAS. Ile said he thought that General Butler was quite
public character, and he said he thought if some one of that type
could be induced to make a speech it would carry considerable weight.
The CHAIRMAN. You were impressed with that idea?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I was.
The CHAIRMAN. There is no question but what he went down there
and approached General Butler in connection with carrying out the
purpose of the plan that you had in mind and which was financed by
Robert Sterling Clark?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. There is no question in my mind but that he did
approach General Butler on the question of a speech in favor of
sound currency.
The CHAIRMAN. You knew, of course, that Butler would not make
the speech; you got the report later he would not make the speech?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I did, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. Was there some talk about Butler going out there
as a delegate?
Mr. CHRISTMAS. I think I was told that he could only make a
speech if he were a delegate or by special invitation of some governing
body.
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