The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-08-20
WASHINGTON
LETTER
"SMEARING" COMMITTEES OF
CONGRESS

"SMEARING" COMMITTEES OF
CONGRESS
In an editorial on July IS, the
New York Times said: 1--WE think
that something should be done to
check the practice of character as
sassination by irresponsible Con-
gressionaI Committees"
Even the Time recognizes the men
ace of the smear committees of con
gress now in operation. Reports in
this Letter, as well as the labor press
these to be far greater menace than
the Times recognizes. 1t isn't just a
matter of character assassination.
These committees are weapons in the
hands of the defeatist anti-war, anti
war-administration, bloc. Curbing of
these irresponsible, defeatist activities
is prime job. This is one of the
things you should tell YOUR CON-
GRESHAM about while he is home.
The major smear congressional
committees now operating are listed
below, with their personnel and other
data On their activities-see the
newspapers, which give this sort of
thing more play than any win-the-war
activity ever got.
NEW COMMITTEES INITIATED
THIS YEAR
Set up January 10, 1913. Funds
voted: 100000. Purpose: to conduct
smear campaign of Federal Communi-
cations Committee; to protect Chair
man E. E. Cox who has been charged
with felony by the FEC Member
ship: Chairman, Poll-tax Cox of Geor-
gia; Warren G. Magnusson of Wash;
Richard B. Wigglesworth of Mass;
Louis E. Miller of Mo-
Boren-HaIlock VS.. Grade Labelling
Subcommittee of committee on in
terstate and foreign commerce, spe-
cially authorized to conduct investiga-
ton of grade-labelling etc. with pur-
pose of defeating OPA efforts to pre-
vent grade-cheating. Active job be-
ing done by it's chairman, Lyle Boren
of Oklahoma, and member Charles A.
Halleck of Indiana with Hearst press
as main customers if not directors.
Other members: Lindley Beckworth
of Texas; Francis ]. Myers of Pa;
Richard f. Hairless of Ariz.; Clarence
]. Brown of Ohio; Charles N. Wolver-
ton of N. J.
Smith Committee to Smear Adm.
ITO investigate acts of executive
agencies" Under craftsmanship of
(Dime-an-Hour) poll-taxer
Smith of Virginia (co-author of Smith
Connal1y act) this committee is fish
ing everywhere in the administration,
whatever it can touch, or
ganizing attack especially on FEC and
OPA. Most important job to date:
attack on OPA rent-freezing. Other
Jerry Voorhis of Calf. Che
took this job when Dies committee
role wore out, to provide liberal
backing for SMITH; John J. Delaney
IF N. Y; Hugh Peterson of Ca; Fred
Hartley, Jr., of N. j.; John Jen-
lings, Jr., of Tenn; John B. Ben
lett of Mich.
Kerr Supplement to Dies Committee
Purpose and activity well known to
'eaders of this Letter Memberships
John H. Kerr of NC, chairman; Al
,ert Gore of Tenn; Clinton P. Ander-
on Of NM; D. Lane Powers of N. j.;
o,,1x -
Committee to Smear FSA
Set up to attack Farm Security Ad-
under guise of investiga-
ion. Appropriation: 100000 Mem
ership: Harold D. Cooley of NC;
ohm W. Flanagan Jr., of Va; Or
lille Zimmerman of Mo-; Stephen
ace of Ga; Clifford R. Hope of
lan.; Anton J. Johnson of ILL.,; Ross
.izley of Okla.
committee to Smear Adm. on
uerto Rico
To investigate" political economic,
ocial, conditions in Puerto Rico. APP
ropriation $4,000. Actually went to
uerto Rico and heard representa-
yes of big U. S. interests attack adj
Illustration there Was unanimously
enounced by Puerto Rican legisla-
ire. Membership: c. Jasper Bell of
o., chairman; Dan R. McGehee of
iss.; J. w. Robinson of Utah; w.
Lerling Cole of New York; James
of Ia; Fred L. Crawford
Mich; Karl L. LeCompte of Iowa.