Evening star., 1942-02-24
Probers Told Friends
Of Progress Hinted
Al Assassinations
Mock TrioI Convicted
Roosevelt Of Treason,
Leader Testifies
" the Associated Press.

LoO hIN1ElCO, CCU 61.-h otdtC
Assembly committee investigating
un-A American activities was told yes
terday that bulletins of the Friends
of Progress organization contained
propaganda limiting at possible as
saSsihations in the United States.
Evidence had been submitted
earlier to show that Robert Noble,
director of the organization, said:
II am for Germany and for Hitler.
read this book, "Mein Kampf,"
and was absolutely thrilled"
Ben S. Beery, chairman of the
American Legion's 18th District
Americanism Committee, testified
that the Friends of Progress bulle-
tins limited at possible assassina-
tions.
Mr.. Beery continued:
"It is the duty of the United States
Attorney General to enforce the
laws The Sedition Act is not be-
ing enforced. Enemy propagandists
hide behind freedom of speech,
which does not give them the right
to conduct and organize enemy prop
aganda campaigns"
Axis Activities Listed.
He said that Axis propagandists
are thwarting Defense bond sales,
provoking race hatreds, destroying
public confidence in Americas lead
ers, and developing a spirit of dis
couragement"
Mr.. Beery said the Ku Klux Khan
has joined forces with enemy propa-
gandists.
Ellis o. Jones, identified as a
Friends of Progress leader and
former head of the National Cop
perheads, testified that President
Roosevelt had been given a mock
trial at Friends of Progress meet
ing and convicted of treason in Civ
ing away the Navy Of the United
States"
Jones said a United States Sena-
tor had written a letter February Z
commencing him and Noble for
their activities. The Assembly COM
mittee threatened to cite him for
contempt when he refused to name
the Senator.
Under questioning by Assembly,
man Jack Tenney of Inglewood,
chairman of the committee, Jones
said the trial was suggested by one
of the stooges that is always hang
ing around our meetings-one of the
F. B, I. stOOgeS."
Investigating Board Urged.
How do you know they were r.
B. I. people?" he was asked.
"Oh, well, we knew. We have our
own men around. We have our own
people in the r. 3. l."
A report urging President Roose-
welt to appoint an investigating
board which would recommend steps
to foreStall "a slow Pearl Harbor". in
Southern California was submitted
by the Americanism Committee.
High lights from the Legion's
statement, which Il said was COM
piled from evidence uncovered by
its own operatives, include:
Southern California, key war pro-
duction center of the United States,
is spotted with subversive organiza-
tions aggressively spreading dissen-
sion, defeatism, obstruction to our
war effort and open disloyalty to the
United States of America.
THE Government is not adequate
ly controlling enemy propaganda in
spite of the efficiency of the F. B. I.
in this vital field.
High Government officials are at
present in q state Of -alertness
concerning enemy activity on the
propaganda front that is comparable
to the -alertness that led to the
Pearl Harbor debacle on our military
and naval fronts.
I'm this area there are many types
of subversive organizations de-
voted to spreading enemy propa-
ganda.
Some of these are holdovers from
prewar groups-the rallying points
for subversive elements from such
groups as America First, National
Copperheads, Christian American
Guards and the Ku Klux Klan
Others are new organizations under
such names as World Events Forum,
Friends of Progress, United Minute
Men and Women of America. the
Peoples Church and the like"
The report declared that when
Noble and his associates were ar
rested December II for violation of
the sedition laws, such propaganda
practically ceased in Los Angeles.
He was released December % on
orders from Attorney General Bid
die.
His release, the report added, en-
couraged propagandists to renew
their campaign.
They reiterate in their leaflets
and their speeches" the report said,
Remember: The United States
Attorney General says we have a
perfect right to falkland we will "
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