Evening star., 1930-11-30

The full text Of Representative Ham
ifton Fish's speech on Communists in
the United States" delivered last night
In the National Radio Forum, arranged
by The Star and broadcast by the
Columbia Broadcasting System, follows:
At the outset of my remarks, I desire
20 emphasize that am speaking tonight
In my individual capacity and not as
chairman OF the special committee Gre
ated by the House Of Representatives
to investigate the activities Of the Com
munists in the United States. 1t is only
fair to point out that whatever Senti-
mentS / may express has no official re-
lation to the work of the committee,
which Is now preparing its report and
recommendations for submission 70
Congress, but are merely my personal
views and observations as one of the
members of the committee in this I'M
portant and far-reaching investigation.
shall make every possible effort to
avoid any exaggeration OF the propa-
ganda or activities of the Communists
in the United States by so much as
hairbreadth, but, on the other hand,
I shall not minimize or cover up the &C
tual facts, but present them fully for
the enlightenment and protection Of the
public.
The investigation has convinced me
that the SureSt and most effective way
Of combating Communism in this coun-
try Is to give the fullest possible public
ity to the fundamental principles and
aims of the Communists, which are the
same throughout the world, as they are
not likely to prove acceptable to any con-
siderable number of American citizens,
unless camouf1aged by other extraneous
issues, such as unemployment insur-
ance.
The original policy of the committee,
to confine its investigation to Commu-
mist activities, has been strictly adhered
to, and no attempt has been made to
develop the facts in connection with
Socialism, anarchism, radicalism or
paciflsm.
$50 Witnesses Heard.
The committee created by the House
Of Representatives to Investigate the
activities of the Communists in the
honor to be chairman, consisting of
Representatives John Z. Nelson of
Maine, Carl @. Bachmann of West Viz
ginia, Edward E. ESlick Of Tennessee
and Robert S. Hall of Mississippi, has
been holding hearings since last June
In various sections Of the country and
expects to complete its hearings and
make its report and recommendations
70 Congress within the next few weeks.
Hearings have been held in practically
every section of the United States
where Communist activities have been
reported, including Washington, New
York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Seattle,
Portland (Oreg), San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Chattanooga, Birmingham,
Atlanta, New Orleans and Memphis.
Approximately $50 witnesses, includ-
ing many from other cities not men
TONED above, such as Cleveland. Phila-
delphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, FL Paso,
Gastonia and New Bedford, have been
heard by the committee and o vast
quantity Of documents and written and
printed evidence has been submitted.
There are several important witnesses
yet to be heard, and arrangements have
been made to hear these at the end Of
next week.
It is expected that the committee re-
port and recommendations will be ready
20 submit to the Congress within the
next few weeks.
I am glad to take this opportunity
over the radio to pay q well deserved
tribute to the members Of the commit
tee for their unselfish labors and con-
slant, faithful and able cooperation
throughout the investigation. It would
be unfair to state that any one member
has given more time, attention and de-
votion to the work of the committee
The fact is that each and every mem
Der, realizing the Importance of the
duty assigned to him by the House of
REPRESENTATIVES, has attended every
meeting and never failed in rendering
any service or cooperation that was
required in the continuous and exacting
work of the committee.
Three of the members, John Z. Mel
son Of Maine, Edward E. Eslick Of Ten
neesee and Robert S. Hall Of Mississippi,
come from congressional districts in
munists. Yet they willingly contributed
their time and energy to the fullest
extent.
Plans Immigration BIN.
Representative Carl Bachmann of
West Virginia halls from a State where
there are Communist activities in the
coal nelds. Due TO his former service
on the House immigration Committee,
he has special knowledge Of the immi-
grafton laws, and I am informed that
he intends to introduce, next Monday,
on the convening Of Congress, q bfli
restricting immigration from all coun-
tries, including Soviet Russia, with
whom We do not have diplomatic re-
lations, owing to the dificulty Of de-
porting alien Communists to a country
not recognized by the United States.
The reason for the introduction Of
this particular bill before the commit
tee report Is made Is to expedite action
and further its enactment before the
adjournment Of the Congress, on March
4, 1881.
The committee has taken no official
action concerning this bill, or any other
proposed legislation, ,but will probably
90 30 in making up its recommenda-
tionS.
It is the united determination of the
members OF the committee as directed
py House resolution 220, adopted May
report, based upon the facts as devel-
oped at the various hearings held
throughout the country, In order to give
Q comprehensive picture of the history
and aims Of Communism. and a de-
tailed story Of the propaganda and ac-
tvfties OF the Communists in the United
states, and to make recommendation
Tor appropriate congressional action.
I have had the privilege of serving
Tor 10 years in the House of Repre-
sentatives, and during that time know
OF no more important duty that has
been ntrusted to a special committee of
the House than the Investigation of the
propaganda and activities OF the Com
muntstS in the United States. "a IL
anectS the welfare and security of the
American people and the stability of our
republican form Of government.
Activities Extensive.
There is nothing that would have
pleased me more than to be able to hon.
estiy state over this coaSt-to-coast radio
broadcast that Communism in the
United States is on the decline and
that there Is no need for congressional
10h