Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-18


Senator Wiley Clarifies FBI Plan
To the Editor Of The Star:
My attention has been called to your dis
tinguished newspapers editorial In the August
II issue entitled, "only the Communists Bene-
ht"
In this editorial The Star points out very
rightly and clearly that: THE public has cause
for I anxiety over the schism which has
developed between the executive and legislative
branches of Government In regard to loyalty
investigations"
The Star points out further that the execu-
tive branch has unfortunately been most
unreasonable and unjustifed in its attitude in
refusing to cooperate with the legislative
branch by turning over vital facts regarding
Communist espionage in Government. You can
be sure OF my agreement with you on the need
for the closest coordination between branches.
That, OF course, was the whole purpose of my
recent discussion of this issue to which you
referred.
No Duplicate FBI' in Mind.
Unfortunately, however, some misinterpreta-
ton OF my position has apparently developed
It was apparently assumed that sought the
formation Of a duplicate FBI" within the
legislative branch. Naturally. I had no desire
for any such thing, for the following reasons:
Cd The members of Congress and the
American people have the greatest of faith in
the Federal Bureau of Investigation and in its
exemplary record of protecting the national
security of our country. personally have
completely Endorsed the FBI particularly on
those very few occasions when, on the Senate
floor, its activities were in any way questioned
or underestimated. So highly do regard the
FBI and its great director, j. Edgar Hoover
(who, to my way of thinking and to Americas,
Is model and brilliant public servant, that
you Will note that I suggested that "FB1-
trained personnel" be utilized by the legisla-
tive branch If 1t were found necessary to set
up corps of personnel in our branch to carry
on investigations.
(2) certainly would not want the Congress
to set up any tremendous bureaucracy within
its branch. In my previous statement indi-
Gated that had in mind a relatively small
corps OF investigating personnel. feel that
congressional committees cannot carry the
whole burden of investigation by themselves
which seems quite obvious I believe, to all
those of us who have watched this situation
closely.
90 1 know how deeply your great newspaper
is interested in this question of protecting the
security Of our Nation against alien agents and
alien-minded agents. May I, therefore, ask
this question? Just what can be done If the
head of the executive branch persists in deny
ing to the Congress the information and files
which congressional committees have requested
but which the Chief Executive has refused?"
Shall Congress sit and fold its hands and do
nothing? Shall it just hope for the best"
hope that America does not become a victim
Of a Pearl Harbor-like atomic attack, in which
our cities are blitzed, our defense facilities
sabotaged because vital secrets have leaked
out to an enemy and because the FBI itself
is hamstrung by DEGREES from higher authority?
Or shall the Congress decsively act and secure
for itself, if necessary, corps of trained per-
sonnel-individuals of the outstanding caliber
of FBI agents-indeed, individuals trained by
the FBI who could report directly to the
Congress (and not to the Attorney GeneraD?
Looking for an Answer
The answer to that question is not an easy
one nor can it be supplied in an off-the- cuff
fashion without serious. study. None of us
wants to create duplicate activities for the
sake of mere duplication None OF us would
even think of trying to duplicate the overall
FBI establishment which has been so pains
takingly developed over the years to its present
eminence and universal respect as the worlds
greatest investigative agency. None of us
wants to spend the taxpayers funds in any
way which might not be absolutely necessary.
But at the same time, none of us, including
your distinguished newspaper and especially
the FBI, wants America to fall victim because
of betrayal of secrets to an enemy.
I do hope that the above comments may
serve to clarity the issue somewhat for know
that The Star is always interested in securing
a full statement on issues which it reports.
If you feel that this statement in whole or
in part might be of interest to your readers,
please do not hesitate to utilize 1t as you see
fit I appreciate your attention to this de-
tailed statement ALEXANDER WILEY,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee