Evening star., 1936-04-15
QU|PS IN HEARING .
BRING THREAT BY
BLACK TO TEXAN
Constitution Group Head
Warned He Will Be Hailed
Into Senate.
CONFESSES CIRCULATING
MRS. ROOSEVELT PHOTO
Muse Tells Lobby Committee He
Collaborated in Distributing
Pictures in State.
BY REX COLLIER.

Angered by what he termed "un-
necessary quips" by Vance Muse. man
ager of the Southern Committee to
Uphold the Constitution, Chairman
Black of the Senate Lobby Commit
tee today threatened to bring Muse
before the Senate.
THAT would be an honor" the bel
ligerent 6-foot witness from Houston,
Tex, shot back. do you mean be-
fore the bar of the Senator"
Il mean that when we ask you a
question we want an answer. We want
to treat you courteously and we ex-
pect courtesy in return" declared
Black.
THAT will be an innovation" Muse
broke in.
IF you want to 60 before the Sen
ate-and evidently you have come here
with that intention-maybe we'll grant
your desire"
Declines to Answer.
Muse. standing at the witness table
because, he said. he wished to do
honor to the Senate. declined re-
peatedly to answer any questions
about his connection with the Order
of American Patriots.
Il absolutely refuse to answer any
question as to any fraternal affiliations
in the Ku Klux Klan, the Masons, the
knights of Columbus or any other
fraternal orders" Muse asserted.
Black questioned Muse about pic
lures he had circulated in Texas of
Mrs. Roosevelt attending meeting at
Howard University.
You force me to tell you about that
picture against my wishes" Muse said.
1T hurts me as Southern gentleman
interested in white supremacy to have
to tell you about that picture, but I'll
do it.
That was a photograph of Mrs.
Roosevelt being escorted on each side
by a Negro"
Those circulars with the pictures
on it were circulated all over Texas.
Yes, sir, I collaborated in that, per-
sonally." said Muse, defiantly.
He said charge was being made
for the circulars.
Black sought to show a connection
between the Committee to Uphold the
Constitution, the Order of American
Patriots and the Election Managers
Association, all Of Houston.
Muse Not Subpoenaed.
Muse had not been subpoenaed, but
was called to the stand when the COM
mittee was advised by John H. Kirby.
chairman of the Committee to Uphold
the Constitution. that Muse had f1nan-
cial records of the group.
May stand?" Muse asked as he
reached the committee table. Il
think I should stand in the presence
of the Senate. I don't want to make
a speech"
Black said the witness might stand.
At this point Senator Minton, Demo-
crat, of Indiana, asked Muse if they
had not known each other in Fort
Worth, Tex, some years ago.
"Yes, sir" Muse said, I'VE pulled salt
pork together at the Swift packing
house"
That's right" Minton said, as he
Joined in the general laughter.
Mr.. Chairman, Senator Minton and
I were down in Florida during the last
days Of the boom, and he told me then
he was going back to Indiana and be-
come either Governor or Senator.
That's why am standing"
Again there was burst of laughter.
Shortly thereafter the laughter was
forgotten as the committee chairman
became embroiled in a heated dispute
with Muse over his testimony.
Direct Answers Avoided,
Black tangled with Muse as soon as
the chairman started asking Muse
about his affiliation with various or
ganizations campaigning against the
New Deal.
Avoiding direct answers to queries
about his previous connections with
the American Taxpayers League, Muse
was cautioned by Black: IAN we
want from you is the truth aad no
quips."
Il never lied in my life," snapped
Muse, leaning forward with flushed
face. mot even to my wife"
"Just stop that. Mr.. Muse!" ordered
Black.
why stop?" asked Muse, tartly.
1t was at this point Black warned
Muse he would be taken before the
Senate unless he conducted himself