Evening star., 1938-07-01
WALSH MAY ASK
HOPKINS TO QUIZ
Invitation to W. P. u Head
Considered by Senator
to End 'Suspicion.'
BACKGROUND

: that w. P. A. influence ,Das being
= used in behalf OF administration
= favored candidates in Democratic
I. primaries. Intervention of w. P. A.
Administrator Hopkins In IotDa pri-
: mary led to creation OF Senate
Campaign Investigating Committee.
Although no date has been set for
presumption OF hearings by the Senate
q Campaign Investigating Committee,
Senator Walsh, Democrat, Of Massa-
chusetts said he thought the commit
atee might invite Harry Hopkins,
w. p. A. administrator, to discuss con-
stentions that relief money has been
] used for political purposes.
Senator Walsh denied that he had
sany intention of seeking a subpoena
for Mr.. Hopkins
MY thought was" he said, that
sooner or later we should invite Mr..
Hopkins in friendly way to discuss
these charges with us. That is quite
different from seeking subpoena for
him"
Would Remove Suspicion"
It was understood that Senator
Walsh would suggest that Mr.. Hop
kins cooperate with the committee
in removing even the suspicion" that
the w. P. A. is playing politics.
In . statement yesterday Senator
Walsh referred to a speech by Aubrey
Williams in which the deputy W. P. A.
administrator urged unemployed to
keep their friends in power.
The speech already has been termed
unfortunate" by the Senate commit
tee which decided late yesterday not
to alter that comment.
Senator Walsh, speaking as "a men,
Der of the Democratic party" asserted
that any use Of relief funds for po-
litical purposes "is not only indefen-
sible, but shocking to the public con-
science"
Walsh Assails TRAITORS"
He added:
"Any agency or officer Of the present
administration who now or In the
coming campaign will use Federal
4, funds to influence votes is not only
acting in an un-Christian and un-
, American manner but in my opinion is
q traitor to President Roosevelt and
the Democratic party.
If any there be who suppose that
the public conscience is temporarily
stunted by the worry, distress and
anxiety that present economic con-
ditions have caused let them not be
unmindful of the wrath that an
aroused public conscience can exer-
else when relief Of human misery is
degraded to gutter politics"
Senator Walsh asserted he was mot
unmindful" that "unfounded ale
cations will be made that Federal
funds are or will be used to influence
votes"
But this" he added, "is an addi-
tional reason why oniceholders
charged with the administration Of
these funds should scrupulously avoid
by speech or act even the suspicion
OF political motive"
Hopkins Promises Action.
Mr.. Hopkins said yesterday that the
w. P. A. would deal quickly with
proved charges Of political coercion,
but that I'VE will be equally prompt
in exposing any accusations trumped
up to serve the political ends Of those
who are opposed to this administra-
ton"
His statement was issued in reply
to allegations Of politics in relief" in
Kenrucky, where Senator Barley, the
majority leader, Is seeking Demo-
cratic denomination against Gov. A. B.
Chandler. The charges were made in
articles by Thomas L. Stokes, pub
hshed in Scripps- Howard newspapers.
MI. Hopkins said w. P. A. inquiry
had found basis existed for only two
of twenty-five charges. In the latter
case, he said. one w. P. A. straw-boss
had been told to refrain from politics,
and punitive action" had been Or
dered against another.
Mr.. Stokes, in a statement replying
to Mr.. Hopkins, said:
a 1T is, perhaps, natural that our re-
ports should disagree. The motives
were different. was sent to Kentucky
As q reporter. had no other instruc-
4tions than to write the facts as I found
them. I had no ak to grind. lay no
claims to infallibility. - made q
careful investigation, in good faith,
and stand on my conclusions.
"Mr. Hopkins, in defense, sends W. P.
A. investigators to the State to inves-
tigate the w. P. A. w. p. A. officials
and workers. when confronted by w. P.
"A. investigators, naturally see over
the shoulders Of the latter none other
than Mr.. Hopkins in Washington, the
man who controls their jobs. It is only
human for them to say it isn't so.'
ITO this may be attributed, at least
In part, the conflict in versions OF
what happened in individual cases.
But to my mind-and I think to
any fair-minded person-there can
b no question about the broad, gen.
eral picture. The whole atmosphere
and tone Of w. P. A. in Kentucky is
political and has been at least since
early March"
williams Is Defended.
:. Meanwhile, the propriety Of Mr.. VIII
Hams address was defended in Rich
.mond. Va, last night by David LASER,
president Of the Workers Alliance Of
America, the group before whom the
w. P. A. aide spoke last Monday.
I'VE need not only defend the right
of spokesmen for the administration
: TO address US, but we demand that
sthey SHALL" Mr. LASER said.
In an address prepared for delivery
before the Industrial Union Council
and Richmond Workers Alliance, Mr..
LASER condemned as "reactionaries
ror economic royalists" those who
I criticized the Williams speech.
DAY by day." Mr.. LASER said, I'VE
! have seen the reactionary politicians
! pour out their poison against the New