Evening star., 1948-12-12
Grand Jurors 10. View
MicrofiIms Hidden by
Chambers Tomorrow
by the Assoeiafsd Press

&241iAS O4 1oNC1 llA11CIIt OOSu1IIC11oo
hidden by Whitaker Chambers
in a pumpkin on his farm will be
brought here over the weekend
for scrutiny of the Federal grand
jury.
AS the jury concluded Saturday
session, United States Attorney John
r. X. McGohey announced that the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities had authorized the move.
The committee and the Justice
Department have been in a tug-of-
war over the films which the jurors
will examine Monday.
Mr.. McGohey said the jury would
meet nights If necessary to complete
its work by Wednesday, its expira-
tion date.
Nixon to Bring Films.
Representative Nixon, Republican,
of California, House Committee
member, said in Washington he
would bring the Aims here himself.
Mr.. Chambers, admitted former
Communist courier, led House Com
mittee investigators to the films in
hollowed-out pumpkin at his
Westminster Md farm last week.
Disclosure of the films and other
documents in Mr.. Chambers pos
session breathed quick life into the
probe of alleged Communist es-
pionage being conducted by the New
York grand jury and the House
Committee. Twelve of the secret
papers were made public tonight by
the committee
The jury today heard three of the
former Government officials ac-
cused by Mr.. Chambers of supply
ing him the documents for delivery
to Russian agents.
One, William Ward Pigman of
Appleton, Wis, one-time chemist
In the Bureau of Standards, ap-
peared for the first time.
After testifying. Mr.. Pieman
issued statement in which he said
II categorically deny that I have
ever had any dealings with Whit
aker Chambers or that ever knew
the man.
Il further unqVelifiedly deny that
have ever given to Chambers or
to any other person any unauthor-
lied Governmental information.
am now appearing before the grand
jury and have answered all ques-
tions put to me-"
His brother, George Pigman, also
was surprise witness. Government
oficials would not say anything
about him except that he, too, once
worked for the Government.
Hiss Heard Again.
The other two targets of Mr..
Chambers accusations who testified
today were Alger Hiss, former State
Department official and q witness
before the jury all week, and Henry
j. Wadleigh, also a one-time State
Department worker. MIR. Chambers
also was on hand at the grand jury
room
Mr.. Hiss has denied all of Mr..
Chambers accusations. Mr.. Wadleigh
refused to tell the House committee
whether he had given Government
documents to any one for delivery
to Soviet spies.
Time is running out for the
present grand jury, which last sum-
mer indicted IL top Communist
Party officials on conspiracy charges.
It's term expires Wednesday. A
panel for another jury has been
called for the following day One
Government source. howeyer. has
said the Chambers Hiss phase dfI
the present inquiry will be con-
cluded by Wednesday. !.
Mr.. McGohey did not say whether
the jurors had seen any Of the
Chambers documents previously. 1t
had been believed they had, because
several House committee investiga-
tors have appeared before the jury
carrying parcels.
The United States attorney, how
ever, did make plain that he was
interested not only in the contents
of the films but in some dates. In
a telegram to Mr.. Nixon confirming
the agreement with the committee
to bring the films here, Mr.. NC
Gohey said there had been pub
lished reports indicating conflicting
statements ito your committee as
to date of manufacture OF said
films.
"It is crucial that true facts as to
this and contents of films be de-
termined at once by grand jury"
When the films turned up last
week. Mr.. Chambers said they had
been taken in 1887 ami 1888.
Remain Under Subpoena.
Alex Campbell. Assistant Attor-
ney General, issued statement
here rejecting the sharp disagree
ment about conduct of the espi-
onage inquiry which has developed
between the Justice Department
and the House committee.
"The committee since last Tues
day has promised the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation and the New
York grand jury to produce these
films" Mr.. Campbell said.
TT is hoped that this time the
films will be produced 20 that the
grand jury may promptly proceed
with its investigation"
Government officials. made plain
that all of the jurys witnesses re-
main under subpoena. This will
prevent them from answering calls
to testify before the House commit
tee in Washington, another sore
point in relations between the two
groups conducting the double in
vestigation.
Henry H. Collins, jr., one of the
men named by Mr.. Chambers last
summer as leaders of Communist
cells" in Washington, last night
issued a statement he had cate
gorically denied" before the New
York grand jury last Wednesday
all of Mr.. Chambers accusations.
Mr. Collins appearance Wednesday
l1ad not been made public.
On August 3, the first day of his
testimony before the House Com
mittee, Mr. Chambers named Mr..
Collins as a former Agriculture De-
partment employe and Communist
underground leader.
Mr.. Chambers said he had met