Evening star., 1939-05-27
Dies Probers 10 Hear
MoseIey Testimony
Late Next Week
War Department Denies
Reported Inquiry Into
Generals Conduct

The on-again off again appear
ance of Maj. Gen. George Van
Horn Moseley. u S. A.. retired, be-
fore the House Committee on un-
American activities is now sched-
uled for late next week. it was dis
closed by committee officials today.
Frequently in the spotlight as a
result of his public pronouncement
in criticism of the War Depart
ment and his attack on Communism
and the Jews, the generals name
came under scrutiny of the COM
mittee when correspondence among
the promoters of various anti-Com-
munist groups mentioned him as
the logical man to head a united
Fascist movement in America.
With considerable fanfare, the
committee requested Gen. Moseley
to come to Washington from Coli
fornia and make explanation of
his words and conduct. In the sub
sequent confusion. however, Gen.
Moseley went to his home in At
lanta and Committee Chairman
Dies went to his home in Texas.
When it was announced that hear
ings would be postponed indefinitely,
Gen. Moseley Immediately asked
the privilege to appear at once.
The plan as of today is that he
Will take the stand late next week.
Investigation Denied.
Meanwhile, the War Department
is denying persistent reports that it
is making its own investigation of
Gen. Moseley's conduct since his re-
tirement, although 1t. Col. l.. H.
Hedrick, chief of the military justice
section of the Judge Advocate Cen
erals Office, said he did sit in on
some of last weeks hearings before
the Dies Committee while some of
Gen. Moseley's admirers were de-
scribing his qualifications to lead the
fight against judaism and Com
munism."
Saying he was merely spectator.
Col. Hedrick said today II am not
making or directing any investiga-
tion into Gen. Moseleys conduct.
Someone who knows me must have
seen me at the hearings and Jumped
to the conclusion"
The Press Relations Division of
the department made similar un-
qualified denial and officials of the
committee said they have no knowl-
edge one way or the other.
Considered Still in Service.
1t Is fact, however, that retired
Army officers are, on the basis of
supreme Court finding, considered
10 be still officers in the service and,
as such, subject to its rules and con-
duct. Furthermore, it was explained
by Col. Hedrick, there have been
several cases of retired officers being
court martialed for violation of the
articles of war, the code of military
law which applies at all times to
Army personnel.
Most often such trials have been
on charges of conduct unbecoming
an officer, with penalties including
outright dismissal, loss of retirement
pay, or reprimand.
AS the committee held in abey-
ance Its further investigation of the
various anti-Communist movements,
a graduate student at West Vir-
ginia University left Washington
with box full of documents on the
various "star-spangled Fascists," in
Guiding material showing a measure
of cooperation between a United
States Senator and George E.
Deatherage, national commander
OF the Knights of the White Camel
liza, and one of the most vigorous
of the anti-Semitic leaders.
Part of the material, collected
by Edwin M. Curry during prepara-
ton of masters thesis, was used
by the committee in its hearings
during the past week. but that
showing the Senator's participation
in this type of movement was not
used.