Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-09
Per|o Refusesto Answer Probers,
Kora| Delayed in Spy Testimony;
Soviets Seek Custody Of Teacher
Ex-WPB Official
Rebuffs Queries
On Red AffiIiution

Called to testify today after
the appearance of Alexander
Koral, New York secret witness,
was delayed for several hours,
Victor Perlo, whose name has
been frequently mentioned in the
current spy ring Investigations,
refused to tell the House Com
mittee on Un-American Activi-
ties whether he was a Commu-
mist.
Mr.. Koral. on whom the commit
tee is depending for information on
how a Soviet espionage ring lntll-
trated the Government, appeared as
scheduled, but asked for a delay
until 2::30 pm. because his attorney
had been detained The attorney,
Leo Prayer of New York, had taken
the wrong plane out of New York,
landing in Boston instead OF WASH
iDgton.
Accused by an avowed former
Soviet agent of disclosing airplane
production figures while an econ
omist with the War Production
Board, Perlo steadfastly refused to-
answer questions pertaining to his
politics. He said he is now an econ
omist at the headquarters OF Henry
A. Wallace's new Progressive Party.
Balks at Questions.
Asked whether he was or ever
had been a member of the Com
munist Party, he refused to answer
on grounds that he might incrlm-
mate or degrade himself.
He also baked at question by
Chief Investigator Robert E. Strip
ling as to whether he knew Robert
A. Graham, identified by Mr.. Strip
ling as member of the wartime
Resources Protective Board of the
WPB and other Government agen-
cies.
Mr.. Stripping then asked if Mr..
Graham had given the witness
special permission to examine secret
files of the board. Perlo said he
did not recall it,
Later Mr.. Stripping said he was
prepared to show the committee
that Perlo was given special permls-
sion to copy secret data" from files
of the protective board covering the
most strategic, vulnerable and key
points" in wartime production.
At one time Perlo was asked if
he knew Miss Elizabeth T. Bent
ley. the Vassar College graduate
who has told the committee that
while she was serving as an agent
for the Russians, she got in touch
with him for aviation production
figures.
Looking directly at Miss Bentley,
Perlo said he would not answer for
the usual reason that it might in
eliminate him.
During the session she was re-
called to the stand for brief addl-
tional testimony.
Seeks to Read Statement.
When Perlo asked to read a one
page typewriter statement he had
brought along, the committee asked
TO see it first. Then several COM
mitteemen Joined in a discussion,
advising Perlo he might make him.
self subject to prosecution for per-
Jury if he read one of the lines:
IT vigorously deny the charges
which have been leveled against
me"
The committeeman pointed out
that Perlo had refused to answer
their questions pertaining to the
charges. If those charges proved
correct, Perlo might be prosecuted,
they said.
Apparently nervous, Perlo went
into a conference with his attorneys
and then said: !
After consultation with counsel
and in view of the Interpretation
which members of the committee
have put on a certain sentence, /
will delete that one from the state
ment."
After Perlo finished reading his
statement, Representative Nixon, |
Republican of California pointed out |
that Perlo had said in his statement
that he had never violated any laws
of his country.
"What about the law making IL
crime to divulge any secret informa-
ton to an unauthorized persona"
Mr.. Nixon asked. do you categor-
ically deny that you never gave
any information to an unauthorized
persona"
Perlo went back to his old answer
that on advice of his counsel he
refused to answer on the ground it
might incriminate or degrade him.
Another witness scheduled at the
hearing today was Duncan Lee, &C
Continued on Page "A. Column o.