Evening star., 1944-08-03
Starnes and Costello
Named 10 Probe Clio
Political Activities
Two Of ; Investigators
Lost Seots in Foee Of
Groups Opposition
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
A three-man subcommittee,
two of whose members recently
were defeated for denomination
in the face Of CIO opposition,
was named today to make a Dies
Committee investigation of the
CLOS Political Action Commit
tee.
From his home In Texas, Chair
man Dies sent word that the inves-
ugation, continuance of an earlier
inquiry by the House Committee on
m-American Activities, would be
made by Representatives Starnes,
Democrat, Alabama; Costello, DEM
ocrat, California, and Thomas, Re-
publican, New Jersey, or Busbey,
Republican, Illinois. Mr.. Starnes
and Mr.. Costello were defoated.
Mr.. Dies also hAd been made q CIO
target At the time he announced he
would not seek reelection because
Of poor health.
Mr.. Dies said the subcommittee,
Of which Mr.. Starnes win be CHAIR
man, probably would begin It's work
next week and report within the
next month or two to the full
committee.
The Texan announced appoint
ment Of the committee as he issued
an ultimatum to Attorney General
Biddle to prosecute, under election
statutes, the Political Action Com
mittee and Government ofIacials he
said have been active in PAC work.
Gives Biddle 30 Days to Act.
Mr.. Dies said his committee would
take appropriate action" unless the
Justice Department proceeds within
30 days On the basis Of evidence
gathered by the committee.
Mr.. Biddle recently reported that
q department investigation found
no evidence Of law-breaking by the
PAC.
Unless Mr.. Biddle complies with
the committees recommendation
for prosecution, Mr.. Dies said, the
committee win press for enactment
Of legislation ito divorce the Gov
ernment from the CIO and to sepa-
rate New Deal leaders from the
Political Action Committee"
The Legislation he has in mind,
he explained, would make 1t q peni-
tentiary odense for an individual
to be active In the PAC while hold
ing Federal job.
The way they are operating now
has become . racket" Mr. Dies
said. These people get on the
Government payroll and then quit
their jobs to 60 to work with the
PAC. After the election they ex-
pect to 60 back to their Govern
ment work. It is Just q trick to
perpetuate the New Deal In power. "
Fifteen Listed - Active.
The committee made public the
names Of Is such men and women,
now identified Is prominent In
activities Of PAC and formerly Gov.
ernment ofncials.
The list was prepared by Robert
E. Stripping, chief committee in
vestigator, from data obtained by
the committee during its investiea-
ton Of PAC. Most Of the is, Mr..
STRIPPING said, resigned their Gov
eminent jobs only recently.
Heading the list was G. B. Bald
win, assistant chairman Of the PAC
and former head Of the Farm Secur-
ity Administration.
The others on the list:
Charlotte Carr, New York director
for PAC, formerly with the War
Manpower Commission.
G. A. McPeak, Texas PAC direc-
tor, formerly with the War Produc-
ton Board.
George 8. Mitchell, Southern PAC
director, formerly assistant head Of
the Farm Security Administration,
Amer Lehman, PAC director for
Colorado, Wy0mii 8, New Mexico,
Utah and Arizona, formerly with
the Farm Security Administration.
Raymond B. McKeoueh, Indiana.
Illinois and Wisconsin PAC director,
FORMER member of Congress and re-
sionAl OPA director.
Leisa Bronson, Los Angeles PAC
once, formerly with the Library Of
Congress.
Jcseph 0aer, PAC research ex-
pert, fcGmsrH with the Treasury
Department.
Emil Corwin. PAC radio director,
t6es DIS. Pago A-9.)
J. 300 Ersnchnsen SIcin