Evening star., 1939-02-03
Dies Reports
Intimidation
OF Witnesses
Hits Justice Agents
In PIedeing Expose
Unless 1t Stops
BULLETIN


other year an investigation of un-
American activities and propa-
ganda. The resolution re-estab-
fishing the committee until Janu-
ary 3, 1910, does not require action
by the Senate or the Presidents
signature.
By the Associated Press.
Chairman Dies. Democrat. of the
House Un-American Committee said
today witnesses had complained to
him that Justice Department agents
were intimidating them.
UNLESS this practice stops" the
Texan said, he will bring the COM
plants into the open and name the
witnesses who said they had been
investigated"
They charged the Justice De-
partment is investigating our wit
nesses instead of the facts about
n-Americanism," he asserted.
Attorney General Murphy has
ordered department investigation
of "isms' reported to the Dies
committee. The House Rules Com
mittee has approved resolution to
continue the Dies investigation for
a year and the House was expected
to adopt the recommendation today
Opponents said they were fighting,
not against resuming the inquiry
but to have Representative Dies
job turned over to someone else.
They have contended the Dies Com
mittee was guilty of character as
sassination" and did not give op-
portunity for reply to persons &C
cused in testimony.
Separate Measure for Funds.
Mr.. Dies has asked for $780,
900 appropriation. but will accept
100000. The funds will be voted
later in a separate measure.
We'll get some money the first
part of next week" Mr.. Dies re-
marked confidentially, "and reor-
ganize by the middle of the week. "
Just before the Rules Committee
agreed yesterday that the un-Amer-
ican inquiry ought to be resumed,
Mr. Dies told it he was responsible
for mistakes of the Investigators, but
would do his best to avoid addi-
tional errors.
Three -fourths of the charges di-
rected against us were reckless and
unsubstantiated, wild propaganda, 4"
he added.
Naturally the Communists and
others weren't pleased with the in
quiry and launched an attack of
viliflcation and insinuation even be-
fore we began our work"
Letter to Lewis Acknowledged.
Mr. Dies read a letter which he
addressed to John l.. Lewis, head of
the c. I. o., week before his COM
mittee opened hearings last fall,
asking Mr.. Lewis or any of his as
sociates to testify. The letter was
acknowledged but the invitation
never accepted, Mr. Dies said.
Charges that there was much Com
munist influence in the c. I. o. had
been made before the committee.
Despite that, I believe the ma
jority of those in C. I. o. are sincere
Americans, who have nothing in
common with communism" Mr.. Dies
said in response to question.
The committee also heard yester-
day three representatives opposed to
allowing Mr. Dies to continue his
work. They were Representatives
Marcantonio, American Labor, of
New York; Hill, Democrat, of Wash
ington, and Shannon, Democrat, of
Missouri.
The latter called Representative
Dies torpedo to the Democratic
party and said Mr.. Dies was can
didate for President. but don't
know in what party"
Difficult" to Get His Vote.
IF he ran on the Democratic ticket
would you vote for him?" member
quipped.
Il should find it very, very diff
cult" Mr.. Shannon replied.
Mr.. Marcantonio, active in the In
ternational Labor Defense which had
been mentioned before the Dies
Committee as a. Communist front
organization" engaged in a sharp
exchange with Representative Cox.
At one point, Mr.. Marcantonio said
any one calling him Communist
was "a liar"
Mr. Cox replied that he hadn' t
called Mr.. Marcantonio a Com
munist. but that if he had, he wolld
have the latter kicked out of the
room" on account of his answer.