The U.S. Defense Department advised Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, today that it had not signed any contract with the Rheinmetal Arms Company of West Germany, a firm which has refused even token compensation to World War II slave laborers.
Replying to a request for information on the matter from Sen. Javits, the Defense Department said that the matter of such a contract was still being reviewed by the research and development ordnance experts of the department. Sen. Javits made his inquiry after reports that a multi-million dollar arms order was to be awarded to the West German firm. He said he had decided to look into the issue after questions about the reported transaction were raised by the B’nai B’rith Organization and Mayor John V. Ryan, Jr. of Springfield.
In another development in the matter. Rep. Leonard Farbstein, New York Democrat, said he would introduce legislation in the House to prevent the Government from making such a contract with the West German firm. Declaring that he would seek to amend the annual military appropriation bill to block any such contract, he noted that the company was still directed by former Nazi Party members.
He said he would call for immediate consideration of the amendment by the Appropriations Committee so that it could be included in the first money bill to be approved by the House this year. He added he would call for a floor vote on such an amendment if it was not included in the forthcoming appropriation measure.
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