Evening star., 1944-11-02
Smith AssaiIs
Political Acts
OF Minister
Charges Dignity
OfChurch Lowered
By Rev. Mr.. MoIIeeen

Representative Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia today charged the Rev,
A. T. Mollegen, professor of Chris
tian ethics at Virginia Theological
Seminary in Alexandria, had 'low-
cred the dignity of the church" by
taking the stump in d political
campaign and said the minister had
Deen active in three organizations
"subversive to our American form of
government.
The Rev. Mr.. Mollegen earlier had
charged Mr.. Smiths political outlook
was obsolete, unenlightened and
fraught with great danger not only
TO national and international Sc
curity but also to democracy and
justice at home"
An exchange of letters resulted
after Mr.. Smith, who is seeking re-
election, had asked the Rev Mr.
Mollegen to "disavow a report NJ
MS presence" at rally last week
Tor Mrs. Elizabeth Chiffon MURRAY.
VINO is opposing Mr.. Smith as an
independent Democrat. The min
ister rejected the request and at
lacked Mr.. Smiths political outlook.
Text of Smiths Letter.
letter: 'a'e''
i have received your letter prb-
hsned In the Washington news
papers. '"
L have been a member of th.
episcopal Church for 40 years, and
IN active political life nearly as
long. In that time I have known
hundreds of ministers, but never
before have I known one of them
OF any denomination to lower the
ulsnlty OF the church by taking
tne stump in political campaign,
1 would resent it equally. whether
ne espoused or opposed my cause.
;! am of the faith of the horse
ana buggy days that held the place
OF the preacher to be in the pulpit,
ana not on the political stump.
However, since writing YOU I
have made some inquiries as to your
nonreIlglous activities, which ac-
count Tor your peculiar ethical views.
i hnd that you have been habitu-
ally consorting with elements OF
such radical ideologies as to bring
their activities under the official
scrutiny OF the Federal authorities,
Cites Investigation by Biddle.
Il am informed that you were a
member of the Washington branch
: OF the notorious American League
ior Peace and Democracy, a WE'LL
known Communist front organiza-
tlon investigated by Attorney Cen
eral Blddle, and declared by him to
be an organization subversive of our
: present form of government
i find that you were chairman
OF the Washington Citizens Com
mlttee to Free Earl Browder. the
. convicted Communist, and official
1 neao OF the Communist party which
advocated the overthrow of the
american Government by force and
violence. ~
The official Communist paper
the Daily Worker, asserts that Won
were tne slgner OF letter protesting
the ban on Communists,
Ahe olilClal letterhead of the no
torious Washington Committee for
democratic Action carried your
name as vice president of that Com
mun1st front organization which
Attorney General Biddle also in
Vestlgated and found to be an Or
ganlzatlon subversive to our Ameri-
can form of government.
In these activities you advertise
: yourself and the Communist orsani-
7 cations by designating yourself as a
minister of the gospel
, i assert and defend your right
as a citizen to oppose my policies
; as public servant.
II deplore your use of the cloth
OF the church to cloak political ac-
tivities of so questionable q char
acter"