Doggie Story

Minnesota's kewpie-shaped Harold Knutson, 63, one of the most incorrigible rumormongers in Congress, was at it again last week.

Mr. Knutson told his colleagues about "the rumor that Fala, that little Scotty dog, had been inadvertently left behind at the Aleutians on the [President's] return trip, and that they did not discover the absence of the little doggie until the party reached Seattle, and that it is rumored a destroyer was sent a thousand miles to fetch him."

Majority Leader John McCormack hastened to get the White House answer. Next day he took the floor:

Mr. McCormack: "I talked with Admiral Leahy this morning--and I think all the American people will accept Admiral Leahy's word. ... I can quote him: 'The story about the dog is made out of whole cloth. The dog was never lost.' "

Mr. Knutson: "Mr. Speaker, knowing the President's affinity for dogs, it was only natural that I should believe that there was some foundation to the story. . . . You know, it is not so very long ago that a certain very high-placed American woman made a trip to Australia in a bomber that it is reported had been remodeled so as to permit the installation of a shower bath. ..."

Mr. McCormack: "Why does not my good friend be big enough . . . and say that he was wrong in believing the rumors? Why try to get out of this position by trying to create another rumor?"

Mr. Knutson: "Mr. Speaker, if there is no foundation to the doggie story, of course I am happy. The fact nevertheless remains that in a statement made by Drew Pearson in his radio broadcast a week ago ... he said that the President's trip cost the American taxpayers $20,000,000. . . ."

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