Republican Leader Lashes Out at Frank

WASHINGTON--The House Republican leader said yesterday that the Barney Frank case was becoming "a stain upon the House of Representatives," as allies of the embattled Democrat tried to quell suggestions he was near resignation.

Frank, a liberal who disclosed his homosexuality in 1987, has come under scrutiny since acknowledging a two-year relationship with a male prostitute.

Rep. Robert Michel (R-III.) asserted that the Massachusetts Democrat was benefiting from a double standard that would have dealt more harshly with other members of Congress in similar circumstances.

"If it were anyone other than Barney Frank...If I were to have a woman prostitute in my employ for my own self-gratification, I'd be run out of town," Michel said.

At Frank's own request, the House Ethics Committee is investigating his involvement with Stephen L. Gobie and Gobie's disputed claim that the congressman was aware he was operating a prostitution service out of Frank's Capitol Hill apartment. Frank has said he would await the ethics committee's inquiry.

Michel, answering questions at a news conference, said he was "distressed to have anything of that nature become a stain upon the House of Representatives."

Democratic National Chairman Ron Brown, in a breakfast meeting with reporters, acknowledged Frank was under pressure to resign but said the congressman was right to await the Ethics Committee inquiry.

"He's done what he should have done," Brown said. "The ethics committee ought to go forward. Pressure is building to resign. But we ought to let the quasi-judicial process go forward."

Asked if Frank had become an embarrassment to the Democratic Party, Brown said: "No, don't think so. There have been issues like this for years in politics. But I think we should let the quasi-judicial process take over, and then we can make some recommendations."

Frank, meanwhile, sought to carry out normal congressional duties while declining to discuss his case with reporters.

Frank attended a morning subcommittee meeting without speaking publicly. He had normal office appointments in the afternoon, said his administrative assistant, Doug Cahn.