Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-13

1eCdIy VI oCdGe, U0lOTe D6SlIlIlll
the House Committee on IN
Currie had been named in pr
of information for wartime Coz
I had never previously heard, to
supply the required information.
My work with him was quickly
concluded and my only remaining
impression of it was that he was
entirely competent. No question Of
loyalty arose or entered my mind.
I had no further official contact with
Mr.. SilvermaSter, but between 1910
and 1945 saw him several times at
social gatherings at which there
were always several people present.
In June, 1912, an official of the
Board of Economic Warfare tele-
phoned me to say that Mr.. Silver
master was working for the board
on loan from the Department OF
Agriculture and that the board had
received from Army Intelligence a
copy of report which, II substan-
tiated by the facts. made his en-
ployment undesirable. They asked
me to inquire whether this report
constituted the Army's, final opin-
ion. I understand that MIR. Silver
master states that he saw or talked
with me about this matter. I have
no recollection of such q CONVERSE
ton, although 1t may have occurred.
In accordance with the White
House customary procedure in such
matters, I referred this inquiry to
the War Department. I did this by
telephoning the Undersecretary of
War, Judge Robert P. Patterson.
told him of the situation and asked
him to have the matter reviewed
to make sure that the report rep
resented the considered judgment OF
the War Department. I, myself,
made no. recommendations or inves-
LEGATIONS. I did not see the report
or know OF its contents since it was
not my duty or function to do any
of these things.
Ignorant Of Adverse Reports.
I am also informed that it has
been stated before this committee
that there were at this time adverse
reports on Mr.. Silvermaster in the
files OF the Civil Service Commits
sion and in those Of the Naval In
telligence. I did not know at that
time, nor did I know until the
testimony before this committee, Of
the existence Of any such reports
or of any reports other than the
War Department report.
Judge Patterson subsequently tel
ephoned to me to say that the mat
ter had been reviewed and that in
the judgment of the department the
statements made in the report were
not substantiated and that the re-
port was being withdrawn. Accord
ing to the letter from Judge Patter-
son to Mr. Milo Perkins, which has
been inserted in the record of these
hearings, Judge Patterson stated:
Il have personally made an exami-
nation of the case and have dis
cussed it with Maj Gen. G. V.
Strong, CO.. I am fully satisfied
that the facts do not show anything
derogatefy to Mr.. Silvermaster's
character or loyalty to the United
States, and that the charges in the
report of June are unfounded."
These are the facts of this matter.
Upon the basis of these facts the
charge is made before this commit
tee that I ''interceded" for Mr.. Sill
vermaster, and that this intercession
resulted in an improper disposition
Of the case. Such a charge is false
on the facts and a calumny upon
both me and Judge Patterson, as
well AS the officer who was the chief
of Army Intelligence While state
ments from me as to my own char
acter would be uniting, I can state
emphatically that any person who
knows Judge Patterson or Gen.
Strong knows the absurdity of the
suggestion that they would permit,
much less yield to, political or other
pressure in a matter concerning the
security Of the United States.
Recalls Talk With Investigator.
I recall one further fact in con-
nection with Mr.. Silvermaster which
should be mentioned. At one time
was asked by an Investigator,
believe from the Civil Service Com
mission, regarding my opinion of
Mr.. Silvermaster loyalty to the
United States. l replied that so far
as knew he was loyal public SER
want. l do not recall having recon-
mended him for any post.
I first met A. G. Silverman when
I was a graduate student at Har-
ward and he was an instructor of
economics at the Massachusetts In
stitute of Technology. I was IA
miliar with his work as a scholar
and teacher and believed that his
technical competence was outstand-
ing. We renewed our acquaintance
after I came to Washington when
he was an official of the Railroad
Retirement Board
Except for brief period in 1910,
when was working, at the Presi-
dents direction. on legislation to
be proposed to Congress on old-age
and retirement benefit plans for
maritime workers similar to that in
effect for railroad labor, I had little
official contact with him, but I al
ways respected his high technical
ability, and had no reason at any
time to question his loyalty nor had
any grounds to suspect any Commu-
mist affiliation. His reputation was
that of one of the top-ranking sta
tisticians of Washington. I had no
occasion to discuss with him any
matters of public importance and
certainly none Of confidential
character; l have no recollection of
ever having done so.
Bentley Charge Denied.
Miss BENTLEY further statad tn