Evening star., 1940-01-22
BULLETIN,

continuation OF the Dies Commit
tee on Un-American Activities,
Representative Hook, Democrat,
of Michigan placed in the Con-
gressional Record charges that
Chairman Dies had actively as
sociated with "a prominent COL
laborator of the Christian Front"
The Hook statement said Mr..
Dies frequently associated with
Merwin K. Hart, whom the
Michigan Representative de-
scribed as an energetic fellow
traveller" of the Christian Front.
By the Associated Press.
The House Rules Committee, after
q brief but stormy hearing and de-
bate. unanimously approved and
sent to the House today the resolu-
ton to continue for another year the
Dies committee investigating un-
American activities.
Administration leaders previously
had agreed that the resolution would
be called up for passage tomorrow.
The committee rejected pleas of
Representatives Dempsey, Demo-
crat, of New Mexico, and Casey,
Democrat, of Massachusetts of the
Dies group, that the resolution be
amended to provide certain restric-
tions on procedure of the investi-
gators.
Proposed by Voorhis.
Representative Voorhis, Demo-
crat, of California had proposed
such changes, suggesting that the
Dies Committee meet behind
closed doors to 60 over prospec-
tive testimony and evidence, that
no member make a public state
ment about evidence unless it had
been approved by the full COM
mittee and that efforts be made
to give persons accused a chance
"as soon as possible" to reply.
The case for recreation of the
Dies Committee, which expired jan
uary 3, was presented chiefly by
Acting Chairman Starnes, al
though all other members spoke
briefly except Chairman Dies, i'll
at his Orange (Tex) home.
Mr.. Casey opened the hearing by
saying he represented a district
where there is no opposition" to
the Dies Committee. But he said
he wanted to offer a few sugges-
tons to make certain that the in
quiry would be more analytical
and less unfair"
After recommending that the
committee study proposed testi-
mony and evidence in advance, Mr..
Dempsey suggested that procedural
step should be considered by the
committee itself.
yes, but I don't think they will
do that" Mr.. Casey said.
Called Most Powerful Agency.
Representative Cox, Democrat, of
Georgia, interrupted to say that the
Nation would consider proposals
such as Mr.. Casey made as "a lever
to hamstring the committee"
Mr.. Voorhis then asserted the
Dies Committee was probably the
most powerful agency in the coun-
try as far as the public is con-
cerned." He added that the more
orderly its procedure, the more val
liable it will be-"
After reading his proposed
amendments to the resolution to
re-create the committee, he said he
was perfectly willing" to take his
share of the responsibility for what
ever mistakes the committee had
made.
IF it's been so Internally lousy,
how can it be so powerful?" Mr.. Cox
asked.
Representative Mason, Repub-
lican, of Illinois, another Dies Com
mittee member, said that, although
some mistakes had been made, it
would be wrong for the House to
attempt to establish a precedent by
setting forth rules and regulations
for the conduct Of Investigations it
authorizes.
IF the committee is continued, it
will adopt the proper procedure" !"
ha v,ro,,,icod