Evening star., 1942-07-19
Violation Of Law Laid
To Congressional
Purge Organizations
Citizens for Victory ond
Union for Democratic
Action Mentioned

Charging violation of the Cor
rupt Practices Act by some Of the
so-called congressional purge" Or
ganizations now operating in
number of States, Representative
Clevenger. Republican. of Ohio yes
terday called on the Attorney Cen
eral to start prosecution against
them.
He mentioned the Citizens for
Victory Committee and the Union
for Democratic Action, both of
which. he said, had failed to comply
with the law which provides that all
organizations engaged in political
activities for the purpose Of influ-
encing elections in two or more
States must file with the clerk of the
House itemized statements of ex-
penditures.
II have in my possession evidences
of the activities of organizations.
which are taking an active part in
the political campaign of 1912" Mr..
Clevenger told the House. Many
of these organizations have come
into existence but I refer particu-
larly at this time to the Citizens for
Victory Committee and the Union
for Democratic Action.
Act Outside the Law.
Both of these organizations boast
of their interest in the political field
and the part they are playing in the
national political field at this time.
I believe the matter Is one which
appeals not only to the minority but
to the <ajority Tin Congress). l
hope these organizations are not
identified directly or indirectly with
the Democratic National Committee
because they are proceeding outside
the law.
"I have evidence Of the solicitation
Of funds by both organizations.
have evidence that both organiza-
tions are engaged in political activi-
ties. and that both operate In two
or more States.
"I have had the record examined
and find that neither organization
has filed report of its receipts and
expenditures such as is required
under the corrupt practices act. l
do not claim that either OF these
organizations does not have the
right to exist and to operate. but l
do insist that these organizations,
and all others carrying on similar
activities, should come within the
law.
II am calling on the Attorney
General to direct his attention to an
immediate correction of these con-
ditions, and. If necessary, shall
introduce a resolution of inquiry to
bring these organizations within the
law"
Presents Letter to House.
Mr.. Clevenger presented letter
under date of June 3 addressed to
George w. Schryver. Williamstown.
Mass, by Robert Ross jr,, in charge
Of local chapters for the Citizens for
Victory, with headquarters in New
York.
I'VE are working against the re-
election to Congress of obstruction
lists and appeasers, Mr.. Ross wrote.
"You are in rather crucial election
district since we have decided that
our fight in Massachusetts, will CEN
ter around opposition to your Rep
resentative Treadway and Senator
Lodge"
Mr.. Treadway is the ranking Re
publican member of the House Ways
and Means Committee. Senator
Lodge is also Republican, and re-
Gently returned from active duty
with the Army in Libya.
The list of officers on the station
ary of Citizens for Victory includes
Hugh Moore, executive chairman;
Ernest Angel, vice chairman; Clark
M. Eichelberger, vice chairman;
Frederick C. Mckee, treasurer, and
Stephen Vincent Benet. secretary.
Among the honorary vice chairmen
are listed Grenville Clark, John
Cowles, William Green, Mrs. j. Bor-
Gen Hartman (former U. S. Minis
ter to Denmark and Democratic Ma
tional Committeewoman for the
District of Columbia), Frank King
don, Thomas w. Lamont, Rose
Schneiderman and William Allen
White.
Fund Appeal Presented.
Mr. Clevenger also presented a
document issued by the Union for
Democratic Action. with head
quarters in New York, appealing
for contributions of 81 900. $500, or
less, to help carry on its work, and
another document sent out by Will
lam D. Lilly of Baltimore.
The chairman of the Union for
Democratic Action is Reinhold Me
buhr and other officers are Frank
Kingdom, president. and Arthur
Sprague Coolidge, treasurer.
Among the sponsors listed are
William Agar. Bruce Bliven, Ken
meth G.. Crawford, Melvyn Douglas
and Walter Reuther.
The appeal sent out for funds
declared that to-day we are faced
bv the alternative of electing g
Congress for victory or of beine
saddled with a Congress capable
only of inviting defeat The docu-
ment included an analysis of the
men who are to come up for re-
election to Congress.
Thomas r. Amlie, former mem
her of the House from Wisconsin
is listed as director of the Wash
tngton bureau of this organization
Adolph, Benito and Hirohito-
the three blind mice. Make then