American Notes HUD

Friday was supposed to be a big day for Samuel Pierce, Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Pierce had agreed to testify before the House subcommittee investigating charges that his department had a soft spot for well-connected Republicans who garnered huge fees for helping developers land multimillion-dollar federal housing contracts. But Pierce, known as Silent Sam, decided to live up to the name. He informed the panel, headed by California's Democratic Congressman Tom Lantos, that he was canceling his appearance. He said his newly hired lawyers needed more time to prepare.

Pierce's sudden withdrawal drew bipartisan fire. Lambasting him for "deceitful" conduct, Lantos said the ex-Cabinet member had broken a "gentleman's agreement" concluded after two earlier delays granted at his request. "Not only is Silent Sam silent," said Ohio Republican Donald Lukens, "apparently today he's also invisible." Republican members are expected to support Democrats this week when the subcommittee ponders whether to compel Pierce to appear before it by issuing him a subpoena.