Evening star., 1947-05-25
Five in House Named
To Probe 'Pro-Red'
Talk at Western Hiqh

MIN E " SSsVah Ihsa
Chairman Dirkson of the House
District Committee, yesterday Sc
lected a subcommittee of five, in
cluding three lawyers, to make a
thorough investigation" of circum-
stances surrounding the recent
critical speech by Russian born
Mrs. Shura Lewis to Western High
School students.
The subcommittee headed by
Representative O'Hara, Republican,
of Minnesota, also includes Repre-
sentatives Beall, Republican, of
Maryland; Auchincloss, Republican,
of New Jersey; Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia, and Jones, Democrat,
of Alabama.
Representatives O'Hara, Smith
and Jones are attorneys, Mr.. Dirk
sen, pointed out, the latter two
having also served as judges.
To Proceed without Delay"
The investigation was ordered by
the. House District Committee to
look into the incident last May 6,
when four students walked out dur
ing speech on Russia by Mrs.
Lewis. They contended the speech
was too pro-Russian. The affair
stirred up an investigation by school
authorities and led to public praise
of the students.
Mr., Dirksen, in announcing selec-
ton of the subcommittee said il
would proceed with the investiga-
ton without delay and make Its
report to a full committee, after
which the matter will be laid before
Congress for such action as may be
required"
Mr.. Dirksen expressed concern
over the dangers of indoctrinating
American youth with foreign ideol-
ogies, especially Communism.
"The matter is regarded as of the
utmost Importance" he declared
because of the determined effort
made over period of years by GER
tain organizations to indoctrinate
the youth of the country in the
schools and colleges with the ideol-
ogy of Communism.
Cites 2 Youth Groups.
''The organizations which operate
or have operated under the titles
of the Young Communist League
and American Youth for Democ-
racy,' he added, have been espe-
cially active in this field.
''Manifestly it is necessary and
desirable" Mr.. Dirksen declared
that American youth get a full and
complete picture of Red Fascism
which is implemented by brutality
deception, espionage and subtle in
filtration, and it is imperative that
the youth of America get the whole
story, rather than a well designed
glamorous side of Communism
which has been subtly put forth on
various occasions in some of the
schools of the country"
Chairman OHara, of the new sub
committee, pledged a complete and
fair hearing"
In a statement he said the hear
ing will be judicially conducted.
fairly and fully. We will try to do
this without hysteria, without draw
ing red herrings across the prob
lem,' he added.
Mr.. O'Hara left over the week
end for his home State, but will
return in about a week.
Textbook Probe Authorized.
In the meantime, Mr.. Dirksen
said, some preliminary progress will
be made on the investigation. Al
ready, he said, he has on his desk
some textbooks from Washington
public schools about which questions
have been raised.
Under its authority, the Illinois
legislator said, the same subcom-
mittee would have the authority
to. study Americanism in textbooks
now being used here. The commit
tee probably will go also into col
lateral and related matters" he
predicted.
Mr.. Dirksen said the hearings
should be held in executive sessions.
Investigators from Government
agencies, such as the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, may "be asked to
cooperate, he indicated.
Mrs. Lewis is the wife of former
erfnha SSy clerk in MoSrnut