Evening star., 1948-08-20
Spies
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SSiSS
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to say whether or not they knew
Mr.. Chambers under his own name,
under the name of Crosley or under
the name of "Carl"-the name Mr.,
Chambers said he used as a Com
munist Party functionary.
Mr.. Nixon, who has been concen-
trating on trying to resolve the Hiss
Chambers controversy, said today's
hearing will be helpful"
Admit Knowing Others.
The witnesses, according to Mr..
Nixon, refused to say whether or
not they knew Mr.. Hiss and others
named by Mr.. Chambers, but did
not refuse to answer when they were
asked about other persons.
He gave as examples that Mr.. Abt
was willing to say that he knew
Rexford Tugwell, former New Deal
braintruster; that Mr.. Witt "ad-
mltted" knowing Mr.. Pressman and
that Mr.. Pressman agreed that he
knew CIO President Philip Murray.
Mr.. Witt, asked by reporters later
why he admitted knowing only Mr.
PreSsman, said it was silly" of the
committee to ask him about Mr.
Pressman since it was known they
were associated in the same law
firm.
When they were questioned about
Mr.. Chambers, Mr. Nixon said, the
witnesses were shown pictures made
of Mr.. Chambers in 1881 and 1948.
The earlier picture of Mr.. Chambers
appeared over an article he wrote
for the New Masses in the July,
1881, issue.
Refuse to Identify Peters.
The witnesses also pleaded self
incrimination, Mr., Nixon said, when
they were shown a picture of J..
Peters, described by Mr.. Chambers
as the head of the pre-war under
ground.
In connection with Peters, Mr..
Nixon said he had not yet received
word from immigration Commits
Sioner Watson B. Miller on his third
demand that immigration author
tiles locate Peters. Mr.. Miller said
earlier that he would explain his
position to the committee today.
Mr.. Nixon said that if he did not
hear from Mr.. Miller by the end
of the day. he would send him an
other telegram.
Mr. Nixon telegraphed Mr. Miller
yesterday that it was imperative
that he produce Peters or tell the
committee where he can be located.
Mr.. Chambers has told the COM
mittee that Peters was the third
party who introduced him to Mr..
Hiss. On the other hand, Mr.. Hiss,
has testified that Mr.. Chambers
under the name of Crosley came to
Mr.. Hiss office while Mr.. Hiss was
a legal assistant on the Nye Num-
tions Investigating Committee.
Former Senator Nye advised the
committee yesterday that "the name
of Crosley does not enter my recol-
lection in any way, shape Or man.
ner."
Out on $1,000 Bail.
Peters is out on S. 5000 bail wait
ing a hearing on his warrant for
arrest as an alien inimical to this
country. 1t was understood that
his name is high on the list of those
whose cases are to be called for
hearing.
Mr.. Miller repeatedly does not be-
lieve he has any legal ground to
order Peters produced until the
warrant hearing. At the time Peters
appears for the hearing, however,
he could be served with committee
subpoena.
Mr.. Nixon said new develop
ments" make it imperative that the
committee try to question everybody
whose name has been connected
with the case.
When reporters surrounded MIR.
Pressman after he testified, he held
up his hand to ward off questions
and announced:
II will have no comment except
to say that I asked the chairman
and Mr.. STRIPPING (Chief Committee
Investigator Robert E. Stripling)
whether there has been made any
charge before this committee stating
that l, Lee Pressman, ever while a
Government employe or since / left
the Government. engaged in espion-
age. Mr.. Stripping stated for the
record that no such charge has been
made"
Rejects Other Questions
When reporters pointed out that
Mr.. Chambers had not accused him
of espionage but of leadership in an
underground movement, Mr.. Press
man declared: ,..
ITO all other questions I have nc
comment"
He was asked If he had demanded
an open hearing in which to respond
to Mr.. Chambers accusation. He
said he had no comment.
| MI. Abt was likewise uncommu.