Evening star., 1947-12-01
Rebutta| Right Sought
For Persons Accused
Al Congress Hearings

F6T6Oflb dttdCkcu Jul lilk CUilsl cS-
sional committee hearings would
have the right to ross-examine
their accusers under a bill spon-
sored by Representative Helen
Gahagan Douglas, Democrat, of
California.
Another proposal, by Representa-
tive Price, Democrat. of Illinois,
would give those subjected to such
attacks greater freedom to reply
outside the committee room with
out risking libel suits.
These two moves grew out Of the
recent investigation of communism
in Hollywood by the House Commit
tee on Un-American Activities.
Seeks Early Hearing.
Mrs. Douglas told reporters she
will seek early hearings by the
House Rules Committee on her bill
Mr.. Price said he was drafting legis-
lation to carry out his proposal.
Senator Aiken, Republican, of
Vermont, announced meanwhile,
that he will ask the Senate to shift
future inquiries into fraud and cor
ruption. such as have been con-
Quoted by the Senate War Investi-
eating Committee, to the Commit
tee on Expenditures in Executive
Departments, which he heads.
The bill, introduced by Mrs. Doug
las, would give each witness before
. congressional committee the right
to have counsel and to make
sworn statement, as we'll as permit
accused persons to cross-eXamine
their accusers and offer rebuttal.
It also would prohibit committees,
except by majority vote, from ques-
tioning reporters, editors or pub
fishers about writings or publica-
tions.
Would Extend Privilege.
Mr.. Price, former reporter, said
the proposal he is drafting would
give privileged status to the rebut-
tai statements Of persons whose
character is assailed during COM
m1ttee hearings but who cannot
reply in the committee record.
A privileged" statement gen.
orally is one for which the author
cannot be held liable for civil
action and the publication of which
would not subject newspaper to
libel suits.
Testimony and statements made
to congressional committees now
are "privileged," and witnesses
making them under oath generally
are immune from libel actions.
However, replies to such state
ments, when not made a part OF
the committee records, are not
"privileged' and their publication
may run the risk of libel action.
Mr.. Price said he believes any
person attacked at committee
hearing and not allowed to present
testimony or statement in self
defense should be permitted to
make public a statement OF de-
Tense.
Urges Equal Protection.
Certainly he said, "a person
whose character has been impugned
should have the same legal pro-
lection in defending himself that
his accuser has. His statement OF
defense should stick to the issue
and not deviate from defense
against the charges. Newspapers
publishing such statements should
have a legal protection against
libel suits provided they published
the original charges made by wit
nesses having privilege"
During the recent Hollywood
hearings some of the witnesses, sub
seouently cited for contempt, un-
successfully sought to put into COM
mittee records prepared statements
of rebuttal against charges and inti-
nations that they had been afii-
ated with the Communist Party.
They distributed the statements
among newsmen, but because the
statements we're not privileged
they were not always published in
full.
Urges Regular Inquiries.
Senator Aiken told a reporter that
the entire hearings involving Ben
nett E. Meyers, retired Air Forces
procurement officer now facing
grand jury action. could have been
conducted by the Expenditures
Committee with Senator Ferguson
In charge"
The Meyers hearings were di-
rected by Senator Ferguson's sub
committee of the Special Senate
War Investigating Committee,
which is scheduled to expire in jan
uary.
Because of the sensational devel-
opments in the Meyers case, some
members of this special committee,
including Senators Cain, Republic
an, of Washington, and Pepper,
Democrat, of Florida, have sug-
gested it be extended.
But Senator Aiken said he will
oppose such move on the ground
the Congressional Reorganization
: Act was intended to put all such &C