Evening star., 1947-11-21


"DiSloyat CongreSSmen," as mot
only inaccurate, unfair, but tends
to create lack OF confidence in
Congress; to impair its author
ity."
The Star editorial appeared
October s and Mr.. Hofman's re-
marks yesterday Uere an ampltf-
cation OF precious criticism. On
October 7, John H. Cline, The
Stars chief editorial 1Driter, Uas
inwted to appear before the
House Expenditures Committee,
of Which Mr.. Hoffman is chair
man, for discussion OF the edi-
torial. He i6aS accompanied by
B. M. McKelway, editor OF The
Star.
Following is transcript OF the
questioning at that time, printed
so that the public may haze
complete understanding OF the
points inDolUed.'
THE CHAIRMAN. Now, I think
that Mr.. MckelWay has something
to say Will you identify yourself?
MR.. McKELWAY. I am B. M
McKelway, Editor of the Evening
Star. I have come here with Mr.
John H. Cline, the chief editorial
writer of The Star, and I merely
wish to make it plain, sir, that both
of us have come in response to the
committees invitation and out OF
respect to a committee of the Con-
gress. We have nothing to defeno
or explain, but Mr.. Cline will be
glad to help the committee II he
can
THE CHAIRMAN. That is my un-
derstanding of it. Mr.. Cline was in
yited and I assume that he asked
YOU to come along, which is very
agreeable to us.
Nav l also say that there has
been no charge made against any
one. We are merely seeking infor-
nation. That is why Mr.. Cline was
asked to come. Will you give your
name, please?
MR.. CLINE. My name is John II
Cline.
THE CHAIRMAN. In last nights
Star this editorial appeared cap
toned "Disloyal congressman, Die
YOU write that, Mr.. Cline?
MIR. CLINE. Yes, did.
THE CHAIRMAN. Now, the cap
tion, in the opinion of some. LEADS
to the conclusion that there are II
Congress disloyal congressman. was
that your intention, to say tha'
there are members of Congress VINO
are disloyal?
MR.. CLINE. No. sir. l think tina,
the text of the editorial makes II
very clear that I did not intend tc
saw that and In fact it does not
say it.
THE CHAIRMAN. Then the edi-
torial continues:
VERY few people share the re-
ported indignation of certain mem
hers of the House at the discovery
that the names of disloyal Congress
men NAV have been filed away by
the Civil Service Commission"
What do you mean by the ex-
preston "disloyal congressman?
Identity them, if you will.
Mr.. CLINE. AS said, Go moi
know of any disloyal congressman
AS understand it, this hearing IL
based on the assumption that INT
names of certain members ot Con
gress appeared in this file and thai
there has been a suggestion ina
they may have been affiliated WITT
some Nazi, Fascist or Communls
organization.
Has Not Explained Files.
THE CHAIRMAN. Let me inter
rupt YOU right there. Mr.. Flem'
ming Civil Service Commissioner
have YOU examined the files suftl'
GENTLY to know whether the names
of Senators and congressman are
in ths files?
Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Chairman
have not. The information that
have is the information that was
divulged to me at the hearing yes
terday.
THE CHAIRMAN. Then, to make
the record complete, l wish yol
would send us up letter statlns
whether it is or is not true the
names of Senators, Senators wives
and Congressmen appear in those
files.
MR.. FLEMING. I think, Mr.
chairman we agreed Yesterday aftel
We had made a search of the flies We
would make such a report, ana w
will do that.
THE CHAIRMAN. Well, in you
opinion would not the average reao
er reading that first paragraph, ant
I will repeat it
VERY few people will share tn
reported indignation OF certah
members of Congress at the dis
covery that the names OF olSloya
congressman may have been hle'
away by the Civil Service Commls
SION
Leads to the conclusion that yo'
were stating that there were dis
loval congressman?
MR.. CLINE. I certainly do no
think so, and if you read the mex
sentence, l am sure that you VII
not think so.
THE CHAIRMAN. And that para
graph standing alone does not state
in YOUR opinion, that there are dis
loyal Congressman?
MR.. CLINE. 1t conveys there ma
be. I will agree to that.
THE CHAIRMAN. Not that ther'
may be disloyal congressman, ou
the names of disloyal Congressmel
that is a statement of fact-ma,
have been filed away. The wor'
may" relates to the filing away, d
YOU not agree with me on that?
Does Not Agree on Word.
MR.. CLINE. I do not agree VIII
YOU on that If you want to con
strue it that way, you can.
THE CHAIRMAN. I just want u
construe it as the average reade
would. You say that that sentenc
ooes not convey the impression tina
there are disloyal Congressman?
MIR. CLINE. 1t would not conve'
1t TO me.
THE CHAIRMAN. All right; ant