The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-02
As Pegler Sees 1t
By WESTBROOK PEGLER .
(Copywright, 1916, by King Features Syndi.

N-RS ~ A>HAS - NJ HUI
cate, 1nc.)
NEW YORK, l think we may profitably
inquire whether some organizations with high
sounding names and protesting fine purposes,
such as death to fascism and the abolition of
racial conflict, have become dangerous ele.
ments.
In recent years, Congress has devoted more
and more time and energy to investigations"
These inquiries usually are fed by profession
al investigators who are hired by the com.
mittees on an assumption that they know
their subjects, however, do the committees
take Intelligent precautions to see that the
investigators are. honest or decent.
An example of that rather, two examples
- were found in the recent Carson case
that was uncovered by the so-called Mead
Committee Of the Senate in its investigation
of excess war profits. The committee dis
covered that one of the Garssons previously
had enjoyed great powers as an investigator
Tor two congressional committees. One
dealt with immigration and the other with the
dlsgraceful robbery of small investors by
sWlndles actually worked through the federal
courts, unknown. to the judges, known as the
reorganization racket. This Garsson's record
should have precluded his employment by Con-
gress in any role, still less was he trust
worthy in a position which gave him the
power to shake down aliens who were, or
might be given to fear that they were, subject
to deportation. 1t was equally deplorable that
such a man was given the same power to
shake down sWindlers under Investigation in
the reorganization racket and to compromise
complaints and Withhold evidence in return
for brides. The two committees which Cars
son served apparently didn't investigate him
at all. At least this late date, in the Mead
inquiry, evidence turned up accidentally that
Carson had received a large gift of stock
from a motion picture magaate WHIT often
employed foreign actors and might have lost
| he n yi1xy IL a~~oz s-,1, - l-..
suddenly deported. The magnate also had been
deeply involve in a scandalous company re-
organization.
Also, it has been found that individuals
claiming to have made investigations for Con-
gress, some of them liars on that point, have
made a hand-to-mouth and shady trade of
working as 'operatives'' for private organiza-
tons. Such organizations invariably profess
the highest principles, but in such general
terms that they may actually hound respec-
table, laW-abiding, native Americans with
false charges that they are Fascists.
Other organizations - and this kind are call
ed Fascist groups by the first set follow
the pattern Of the late Ku Klux Khan. I have
seen no evidence that they practice boring
from within; that is, planting their members
In the ranks of the opposition. On the other
hand, they have been stupid il their own
screening of applicants and there is much
literature from professional sneaks who pic
tuIe LllGIIlSelVSS as very brave persons Tor
joining such "Fascist' groups, how brave they
are we have no idea, because there is no
record of the killing or serious injury of any
such secret agents. The risks seem to exist
only in their own fears and not to exceed such
unpleasant but hardly terrifying experiences
as the conventional American punch in the
snoot or kick in the pants.
The two groups or organizations are hos
tile bodies, but which represents the initial
peril TO the public and which a reaction to
that initiative is a question.
AS long as Hitler ruled Germany and partic-
ularly in the late pre-war and early war
years, there was a reasonable excuse for the
existence of groups here which opposed Hit
ler's penetration of our country through such
outfits as the bund. These German gangs
checked on the remarks of Americans and i'm
migrant refugees and reported them TO Berlin
whence %reprisals were taken against their rel
atives in Germany. This was coercion Of
Americans of German birth or descent and an
infringement by an agency of a foreign power
of American constitutional freedom Of speech
and conscience. They also penetrated our
National Guard to a minor but impudent ex-
tent and in other ways abused our hospitality.
Their weakness was shown, however, by the
fact that no great explosion by sabotage is
known to have occurred here and no case was
made public of the loss of an American troop
ship by reason Of their espionage.
The "anti-fascist' groups began as forces
of opinion, but some soon became counter
espionage systems. One outfit actually claim
ed to have helped the American government
to save the situation after Pearl Harbor be-
cause it had been in the business of counter
espionage for several years while the govern
ment mapped. Judging by the fine record o.
actual government agencies after we went to
war. it must be doubted that the government
was mapping when it seemed to be.
At any rate, no intelligent American can
concede any private, secret organization with
secret 'operatives'' using many false names,
and even numbers instead of names, and some
of them aliens, a right to operate as a secret
police and espionage force. That is a govern
ment function and the exclusive right of gov
eminent, we do have private detective
agencies. but they are licensed as such for
stated purposes and are supposed to be close
ly supervised. These political societies do not
call themselves espionage agencies and, to the
they would seem to be violating our laws.
They live on contributions which are deduct
ible from the tax returns of the donors in the
guise of gifts to "educational' groups, SO,
obviously, it is up to the paid officials and
employees to keep the pot boiling with start
ling escapades and revelations which put fear
into some of our citizens. These citizens and
some of our aliens are made to fear that Hit
lerian groups are secretly forming among US
and that the government is apathetic. There
fore they are persuaded that their only pro
, lection is offered by these secret societies.
The other side of the coin reveals, first, that
Hitler and all the other highest NaZis are