Evening star., 1942-02-11
Fish Talks With Hill
After Two Testify
Before Grand Jury
Let's Gives bennett
Another Chance to
End Evosiveness s

6uO 6VVS1FCUCSS
George Hill, second secretary to
Representative Fish, Republican, of
New York, was brought from Jail
yesterday to testify before the Dis
trict grand jury investigating Nazi
propaganda activities in this coun-
try. Hill was sentenced by District
Court Justice F. Dickinson Let's
last Friday to serve from two to six
years in prsion on a charge of
perjuring himself before the same
grand jury.
Representative Fish called on JUS
tice Let's in chambers while Mr..
Hill was before the jury. The jurist
told newsmen later that Mr.. Fish
expressed concern" over Hills ap-
pearance before the jury. Justice
Let's said he explained to the Rep
resentative that the court no longer
had Jurisdiction over Hill, now that
he is in Jail, that the Attorney Cen
eral is responsible for all Federal
prisoners.
During the proceedings in which
Hill was sentenced, it was indicated
that proposition whereby Hill
might make frank statement" 10
the grand jury was in the making,
L, f4h DTs0c q h
statement would be in return for
recommendation of leniency to the
court from Justice Department
prosecutors. The court still has the
power to alter Hills sentence.
Fish Visits Hill.
Justice Let's, after the conference
with Mr.. Fish, said the New Yorker
also pleaded for leniency for Hill.
After comforting with the jurist,
Mr.. Fish visited for about IS minutes
with Hill, who had been brought
from the grand jury room in the
Municipal Court Building back to
the District Court cell block.
Earlier in the day, Mr.. Fish him
self had testified for about two
hours before the grand jury. 1t was
his second appearance before the
body. ,
At Mr.. Fish's request, Justice De-
partment officials tried to keep his
visit before the jury secret yester-
day, but newsmen learned of it.
Another development in the Nazi
probe came yesterday afternoon.
Prescott bennett, chairman of the
Islands for War Debt Committee, an
anti interventionist organization,
was hailed before Justice Let's on
charge that he was failing to CO.
operate in answering questions be-
fore the jury.
Warned for Evasiveness.
Justice Let's did not hold him in
contempt but warned that he was
giving him one more chance to
a ahandon his "evasive tactics" or face
the extreme penalty"
II am definitely of the opinion
that this witness is wilfull and in
tends to impede the progress of the
grand jury's Investigation" Justice
Let's said following a hearing. "The
grand jury is one of the strong arms
of this court and the judicial system
in this country and must have CO.
operation"
Mr.. Dennett's other chance" to
mend his ways will come at 1890
a m. tomorrow, when he will appear
before the jury again.
During Mr.. Dennett's hearing.
Mark Schlesinger, the grand jury
official stenographer. read from his
notes to show how Mr.. bennett
was evasive to questions.
One of the questions asked Mr..
bennett in the juryroom concerned
by Hill of members
If the. Hamilton Fish Committee"
-or money with which to carry on
certain anti-interventionist activi-
les, although it was indicated that
he Fish Committee" was not to be
the organization to use the funds.
The committee was not otherwise
Identified.
Viereck Solicited.
Mr.. bennett had testified, accord
ing to the stenographer, that
George Sylvester Viereck, indicted
NaN agent. was one of those Hill
said he had solicited. Whether
Viereck actually donated any funds
was not brought out.
Mr.. bennett himself was put on
the stand during the hearing and
10 illustrate his tactics Special As
to the Attorney General
William Power Maloney and Ed
ward Hickey, jr., asked him this
question: How much money have
you gotten from George Sylvester
Viereck?"
Mr.. bennett said his committee
had gotten $500 and press service
he owns 5000, plus expenses for GER
tain work.
How much did you get, not the
asked the court.
Question Unanswered.
Justice Let's ran into trouble try
Ing to get that answer. Mr.. Den
nett stared and now and then would
put in a phrase, We'll, it's
hard"
You! How much did you get?"
''Me?" asked Mr.. bennett.
Eyes, you"
well, you see"
After that, Justice Let's said he
was convinced Mr.. bennett was
trying to be evasive.
Mr.. Dennett's attorney. o. H.
Osterman. said he thought his client
lacked the mental capacity to
answer the questions. He said he
thought Mr.. bennett was mentally
III and needed treatment.
CONGRESS in Brief