Evening star., 1945-09-06
Pearl Hurbor Inquiry
Approved by Truman
Is Voted by Senate
House Will Coll Up
Joint Resolution
On Probe Mondoy


mously for a joint congressional
investigation of the Pearl Har-
Dor disaster less than an hour
after the administration decided
to sponsor such a move.
Majority Leader Barkley, who un-
expectedly offered the investigating
resolution when the Senate met at
noon, announced he was acting with
the knowledge and approval of Pres
ident Truman
House Republicans already had
started the ball rolling yesterday
and Senator Ferguson, Republican,
of Michigan was waiting to follow
up that move in the Senate today
when Senator Barkley revealed the
administration decision to go for
ward with a thorough congressional
inquiry.
Since it proposes a joint investi-
cation, the Senate resolution must
pass the House, and leaders of that
body indicated they would call it
up Monday.
The resolution proposes a report
to Congress not later than next
January 3. The administration
move virtually assures an inves-
| tigation.
Five From Each House.
AS proposed by Senator Barley,
the inquiry would be conducted by
five members from each House. Sem
ator Barkley said the inquiry should
not be conducted to enhance or re-
tard '"the welfare Of any political
party or as an attempt to "bedaub
the escutcheon of any innocent man,
high or low, living or dead. with the
infamy of imputed wrong
After referring to reports already
made on the disaster by the Roberts
Commission and by Army and Navy
boards, Senator Barkley declared:
Il shall not at this time attempt
to discuss these various reports in
detail. But after studying them to
the extent possible in the limited
time available I am convinced that
a further searching inquiry should
be made under the authority and
direction of the Congress.
/ In forming this opinion I cast
/ no reflections upon the ability.
patriotism, good faith or sincerity
of the boards which have thus far
investigated and reported upon the
Pearl Harbor disaster, or any men,
Der thereof. They are all outstand-
ing American citizens and officials
who have rendered signal service
to their country over a long period
in various capacities.
| Reports Conflicting.
But these reports are confusing
and conflicting when compared with
one another and to some extent con-
tain contradictions and inconsist-
encies within themselves. Under
these circumstances it is not strange
that widespread confusion and sus-
picion prevails among the American
people and among the members Of
; Congress. In these several reports.
men in the armed services and in
!, civilian positions of executive au-
: thority are subjected to criticism
and defenses are themselves incon-
sistent and contradictory.
1T is my belief that under all
the circumstances Congress itself
should make its own thorough, i'm
partial and fearless inquiry into the
) facts and circumstances and condi-
tions prevailing prior to and at the
time of the Pearl Harbor attack.
This inquiry should be of such
dignity and authenticity as to con-
cince the Congress, the country and
the world that no effort has been
made to shield any person who may
have been directly or indirectly
; responsible for the disaster, or to
condemn unfairly or unjustly any
person who was in authority, mill
tary or naval or civilian"
Further on, the Democratic leader
said the investigation should look
solely to ascertaining the cold, un-
vanished indisputable facts so far
as they are obtainable."
In revealing that he acted with
the full knowledge and approval Of
|. the President, Senator Barkley add
ed, land express the earnest hope,
which he shares, that the two
: houses may promptly agree to it..
that the investigation may proceed
forthwith and that the Congress
and the country may expect a full
! report within the time designated" !"