Lobbying investigation topic of conflict
Frizzell reacts to Docking's criticism
TOPEKA (UPI) — Attorney General Kent Frizzell Wednesday accused Gov. Robert B. Docking of "an attempt to undermine and sabotage" his probe of lobbying for the pari-mutuel wagering bill.
Frizzell, a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, also challenged the Democratic governor to a "face-to-face discussion" of the investigation.
Frizzell's comments during a news conference came in reaction to Docking's criticism of the attorney general's review of lobbying for the controversial bill killed in the 1970 Legislature.
Docking said Tuesday, following release of the investigative report, he still had questions, and he said Frizzell's "personal involvement" in the pari-mutuel matter raised serious questions about the report.
The attorney general had said he found no violations of the law during his probe of $30,000 paid a lobbyist for the bill which was killed during the session, and a South African trip for legislators promoted by a state senator who favored the bill.
Docking alleged in the closing days of the legislature that Frizzell contacted key GOP senators urging them to kill a resolution which would have ordered what he termed "an independent" probe by the Governor's Committee on Governmental Ethics. The resolution died in a conference committee.
Frizzell Wednesday flatly denied the accusation. "I challenge him (Docking) to come forth with any such senators who will verify his statement," he said.
Frizzell challenged Docking to
Public urged to keep faith in economy
WASHINGTON (UPI) — The administration increased its efforts to calm Wall Street jitters Wednesday but a former adviser to President Nixon predicted that the nation may be seeing "the end of the American economy as we have known it."
Pierre Rinfret, a New York economist who advised the President during the 1968 election, said he expects continuing inflation, and higher interest rates during the rest of this year.
"If Cambodia accelerates and they accelerate Vietnam, you are witnessing the end of the American economy as we have known it," Infref told a group of bankers at a Washington hotel.
14 KANSAN Apr. 30 1970
The attorney general said if Docking had questions, he had the opportunity to ask them April 20 when his office contacted the governor. He said Docking was asked to talk about the parimutuel matter and ask any questions, but all that was received was a one-page statement.
a "face-to-face discussion" with representatives of the public and the press invited. "I leave it to the governor to name the place, date and time at his convenience. I will be present." Frizzell said.
Frizzell said the statement related to the South African trip, and the governor only said a South African government official had invited him to the nation but he declined the offer.
The GOP gubernatorial candidate also accused Docking of interfering with his investigation.
Frizzell said when he requested income tax returns from James T. McDonald, state revenue director, on three persons during the probe, McDonald said he would have to check with the governor. McDonald is a Docking appointee.
The attorney general said McDonald then said the returns would be supplied when a written request was submitted, and the records were obtained this way. He said in the past he had obtained returns on simple oral requests.
A spokesman for the governor's office said following Frizzell's remarks that Docking had no intention of debating the attorney general and called his statements "wild and ridiculous."
said Frizzell's letter of April 20 did not ask if the governor had any questions regarding the parimutuel matter, only about the South African invitation.
The Docking spokesman also
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