Evening star., 1940-05-24
U. 5. Agencies Join
In Effort 10 Root Out
Fifth Column Here
Fineerprintine Of Aliens
Before Grunt Of Visus
Urged by Jackson
BY the Associated Press.


BY the Associated Press.
Congress and Government agen-
cies joined today In a widespread
attempt to uncover and stamp out
subversive fifth column" activities
which might jeopardize the Nations
security.
Attorney General jackson called
on the public to cooperate by re-
porting to the Federal Bureau Of
Investigation "acts, threats or evi-
dence Of sabotage, espionage or
other disloyal activities"
He said he personally would favor
f1ngerprinting of aliens before visas
to the United States are granted
them.
May Study Dies Record.
Referring to it as sometimes a
good source of information and
sometimes not so good. President
Roosevelt suggested to his press con-
ference today that the record of the
Dies Committee might be studied in
connection with fifth column" ac-
tivities in the United States.
The Presidents suggestion came
in response to questioning about
Mr.. Jackson's assertion yesterday
that the Government already pos
sesses information about operation
of a fifth column" In this country
and is preparing steps to combat 1t.
The Dies Committee yesterday
asked for an additional 100000 to
carry on its work. It already has
been given $4,000 this year.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of Vir-
ginia urged that Congress lose no
time in passing drastic and COM
pulsory legislation requiring d COM
plete registration of every person in
America who is not today a legalized
citizen"
House Arranges Calendars.
House leaders tried to arranged
crowded calendars to permit speedy
approval Of President Roosevelt's
proposed transfer of the immigra-
ton service to the Justice Depart
ment to make possible quick action
against undesirable aliens.
House sentiment on the subject
was demonstrated yesterday when,
without word of debate, the legis-
lators wrote into the billion dollar
relief bill provisions barring Com
munists. Nazi "bund" members and
aliens from relief rolls.
At press conference yesterday
Mr.. Jackson said that President
Roosevelt had prepared many
months ago to cope with fifth COL
umn" activities and that the F. B. L.
has "capably. zealously and effec-
lively carried out its task"
May Enlarge F. b. 1.
Although he declined to disclose
the nature of the measures adopted,
the Attorney General said that the
F. B. I. would be enlarged if neces-
sary to deal with subversive activi-
ties. He added that if Congress ap-
proves the transfer of the immigra-
ton service from the Labor Depart.
ment, it would be made a separate
unit like the F. B. I.
Alien registration records, now
scattered in ports Of entry in % dis
tr1cts, will be centralized here un-
der the proposed new setup, Mr..
jackson said. These records relate
only to the time and port of arrival
Of aliens.
Opposition to the proposed change
was voiced by Representative Ma
son. Republican, Of Illinois, who
called instead for the resignation
OF Secretary Perkins. Mr.. Mason
based his opposition on the conten-
ton that the transfer would "cover
up and protect the maladministra-
ton" Of the immigration Service
under Miss Perkins.
Appeals for Cooperation.
Urging the cooperation of cit
liens, Mr.. Jackson appealed to them
not to join organizations without
first knowing who their associates
and officers were and where money
collected for dues goes.
AAAS 6ASooOoV AACAP OAAdV NAV&1CAAo
can render" he said, "is to keep cool
and not become frightened. Sensa-
tional statements as to fifth columns
should be received with suspicion"
Senator Byrd declared in his state
ment that the time is here to purge
America of every alien and foreign
influence attempting to undermine
and destroy our system Of govern
ment."
America is a free country for
American citizens" he said. TT Is
not free for aliens who owe their al
legiance to and take orders from
other countries"
The Virginian, advocating regis
tration and flngerprinting Of aliens,
said they should be compelled to
carry identification cards subject to
inspection at all times.
3 D. c. Stations to Garry