The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-17

Athearn, former mead OF But
Resigning as research
Chamber Of Commerce in
charged the Chamber with
un-American activities and a
plot to attack academic free
dom.
The foundation of the plot, he
charged, was a use of a resolution
condemning DIR. G.. Bromley Oman,
DePauW University president.
The resolution was adopted by the
Indiana Legion at its Indianapo-
lis convention in August. 1t scored
DR.. OMAN for "radicalism and a
program of CommuniStic activities,
in addition to his alleged efforts 70
rid the university of its R. o. T. G.
unit.
Admits Officers Part in Action
Mr.. Athearn charged the resolu-
ton was dictated by the Constitu-
tional Protective League, Inc, 92C
Peoples Bank Building, Indian
apolis. and the Reserve Officers AS
ISOLATION of Indiana. The League
receives the moral support Of the
Reserve officers Association.
j. E. Campbell, executive vice
president and managing director OF
the Leagus, as we'll as head OF the
reserve officers subversive commit
tee, admitted that the resolution
was first passed by the reserve Off
GERS and introduced by him to the
Americanism Committee of the Le-
gion.
THE only change made in the
resolution was the inserting OF the
name of DR.. Oman. took book
sold on the De Paw Campus, Sex
and YOUTH written by Sherwood
Eddy, into the committee meeting
Members of the committee were
alarmed by the books contents ano
DR.. OXnam's name was placed IN
the resolution" Mr.. Campbell SAID
today.
Campbell Denies Charges
In resigning from his research
post Mr.. Athearn, who worked in
directly under the national cham
ber's subversive committee, charged
that the resolution was presented
to the chamber by Mr.. Campbell
Mr.. Athearn declared he believed
Campbell to be acting on behalf OF
Felix T. McWhirter, president Of the
Peoples State Bank. Mr.. McWhlr-
ter is a De Pauw alumnus.
Mr.. Campbell denied that the city
banker knew of the resolution
presentation to the national cham
Der. although he admitted knowing
Mr.. McWhirter and carrying or
banking activities in his institution
Il know nothing about the
charges and do not know young
Athearn. They have perhaps a
dozen persons employed in the re-
search division of the chamber" de-
clared Mr. McWhirter, who is chair
man of the Subversive committee OF
the national chamber.
Mr.. Campbell said a letter writ
ten by him to research head OF
/ the national chamber with the in
closure Of a copy of the resolution
attacking DR.. Oman must have
been a form letter similar to many
sent to other organizations.
Flags False Propaganda"
In resigning from his post young
Athearn said: Il do not wish to
have any part in the preparation of
false propaganda. The material en-
Communism issued by the chamber
is so biased as to mislead members
of the chamber and the public.
Il do not wish to have part in
undermining the capitalistic sys-
tenn in this way. My father gave his
life in the battle for academic free
dom and I do not propose to betray
his blood" he continued.
He charged the "red-baiting'
of the Chamber and its circulation
of a handbook for American youth
on Communism was more wide IN
distribution than any activities OF
the reds" of the nation.
He said it was designed to put
across" subversive legislation tc
thwart free speech, freedom Of the
press, and freedom of teaching in
the schools.
Lucrative Racket" He Charges
Numerous organizations foster
the red batting and because of sup
port of financial and industrial
Fascists it makes a lucrative rack
et." he charged.
Mr.. Campbell, in reply to Mr..
Athearn's charges. declared the re-
search worker was probably con-
scientious and sincere, but mis-
guided"
1T is a smoke screen and canlou-
hage of Communism. he charged.
Throughout DR.. Athearn's presi-
dency at Butler his son did not visit
indianapolis. University officials
who knew the son say he is an
academic minded youth, very stu
dious, with a tendency to go of on
tangents"
National as we'll as local attacks
have been made on DR.. Oman for
his liberal views and The number
Of liberal speakers he has brought
to De Paw.