Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-25

him ito be rational basis to deter
mine credibility."
Mr.. Hiss, in references to Mr.
Chambers, spoke of him as Mr.
Chambers, as he now calls himself. p"
Under questioning, Mr.. Hiss said
that to date he has found no one,
other than himself and his wife,
who knew Mr.. Chambers as George
Crosley.
Tells of Phone Call.
He said that he did receive a
phone call recently, from woman
who did not identify herself but who
told him she knew Chosley during
the period now being investigated.
He said the woman said she was
fearful her employer would protest
against the resulting publicity If she
came forward.
Mr.. Mundt suggested that Mr..
Hiss brother, Donald. must have
visited him during this period and
known Crosley.
He has no recollection Mr.. Hiss
said.
He said he is still trying to locate
persons who knew both himself and
Crosley, including neighbors at the
apartment building.
1T takes long time" Mr.. Hiss
commented, TO construct these de-
tails after such long period when
ones resources are limited"
The long-awaited public session
drew crowd of more than 300
spectators an hour and a half be-
fore the hearing was scheduled to
start.
Capitol police said some spectators
gathered outside the locked doors
of the old House Office Building as
early as am. Some brought their
lunch.
Television and newsreel men re-
corded the full-dress performance
and extra tables we're set up for
the press.
Peters to Be Subpoenaed.
These other developments came in
advance of the face-to-face meet
ing:
/. Mr.. Hiss released his letter to
committee members in which he
called Mr.. Chambers a self con-
fessed liar, spy and traitor and
accused the committee of verdict
Observation-Disclosures tactics
2. The committee was informed
that j. Peters, a long sought wit
ness, is due to appear at deporta-
ton proceedings in New York Mon
day. The committee promptly an
nounced that he will be subpoenaed
at that time. Peters, described by
Mr.. Chambers as chief of the pre-
war Communist underground in this
country, has also been named by
Mr.. Chambers as the man who in
PRODUCED him to Mr.. Hiss.
Corroborative Evidence Sought.
Since Mr.. Chambers and then Mr..
Hiss testified at public sessions early
this month, the committee has been
concentrating on getting corrobora-
tive evidence to prove or disprove
their stories. Until late yesterday,
committee members were question:
ing witnesses behind closed doors to
flll in gaps in the two stories and
check their accuracy.
Mr.. Hiss referred directly to that
phase of the investigation when he
wrote the committee:
I'm your secret sessions, you
asked me housekeeping and minor
details Of years ago that few If any
busy men could possibly retain In
their memories with accuracy. +
told you, and one of your own mem
bers acknowledged, that you or I
should consult the records. /
warned you that had not checked
them and that I doubted if I could
be helpful under those circum-
stances"
Hiss Emphasizes His Record.
For the most part, Mr.. Hiss let
ter to the committee emphasized
his record In Government service
and gave the committee the names
Of "a prominent persons, mostly
present and former Government