Evening star., 1942-09-02
.0n|y49 Of 1851
In Loyalty Probe
Are Implicated
Inquiry Unworronted
By Meoeer Results,
BiddIe Reports
BY OLIVER MCKEE.

Inquiry by the Federal Bureau
OF Investigation into 2,581 cases
of alleged subversive activities by
Federal employees has resulted.
up to August %, in So dismissals
and 13 other disciplinary actions
by the employing departments or
agencies, Attorney General Bid
die reported to Congress today.
He said it was clear that a
large number of complaints were
unfounded, criticized the sweep
ing character of the complaints
and questioned "the wisdom Of
assigning experienced Federal
Bureau of Investigation agents
to such work in war time"
The report showed that 767 in
vestigations had been ordered of the
1,l21 persons on the so-called Dies
Committee list, submitted October
II, 1941, by Chairman Dies of the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities. AS of August % there
had been two dismissals In this group
and one case of disciplinary action
other than dismissal.
Apart from the list furnished by
Representative Dies, the FBI,
through August %, had 1914 other
cases under investigation. Among
these there had been "a dismissals
and II cases of disciplinary action.
No Inflltration, Says Biddle.
Altogether, 4.579 complaints were
referred to the FBI by the chairman
and other sources. Many did not
come within the scope of the investi-
gative jurisdiction of the FBI and
several hundred were found not to
be Federal employees.
| The FBI figures, Attorney General
Biddle declared, may fairly be said
to demonstrate that the Govern
ment is not fnfiltrated' with Com
munists, Bundists or Fascists.
"As regards a large number of the
complaints, it is now evident that
they were clearly unfounded, and
that they should never have been
submitted for investigation in the
f1rst instance. 1t will be observed
from the figures that this is con-
spicuously true of the list submitted
by Representative Dies.
| Hundreds of employees, for ex-
ample, have been alleged to be
'subversive' for no better reason
than the appearance of their names
on the mailing lists of certain
organizations. Upon investigation
it develops that a large number had
not even heard Of the organizations
with which they were said to be
aff1liated."
1t is clear Mr.. Biddle added, that
the objective test of membership
in front organization is thorough
ly unsatisfactory
Objective Test Fails.
Appraisal of an individuals
political opinions and points of view
IS difficult enough at best" he said.
THE objective test fails completely
where 'subversive' character is so
imperfectly indicated and where the
purpose of the organization are so
stated as to make membership in
most circumstances consistent with
loyalty. Activity in the organization,
rather than membership, would come
closer to reality, and even this can
be but one of many facts to be
considered in determining fitness
for Government employment.
1T is inevitable that such sweep
ing Investigations should take on an
appearance of inquisitorial action
alien to our traditions. They create
disturbance and unrest, hurt esprit
de corps, and produce a feeling of
uneasiness and insecurity. This inn
preston is heightened by the oc-
casional complaint which has OBJ
viously been inspired by the Jealousy
or malice of fellow employe who
knows that his identity as an In
formant will remain undisclosed."
In addition to the FBI report, Mr..
Biddle presented to Congress re-
Continued on Page Alb, Column II