Evening star., 1948-09-05
information contained in their re-

information contained in their re-
ports.
Although recognizing the prob
lem, the subcommittee has not had,
access to sufficient information to
make any recommendations in this.
regard. 1t antends to continue its
inquiries in this field and hopes to
make constructive recommendations
in the future.
Nondisclosure Policy 80
OF Executive Branch }r'
Under our constitutional form OF
Government Congress has the duty
to enact laws for the public well,
fare. To perform this duty intel
hgently it must have the complete
facts upon which to base its iude-~
ment. Good legislation and isno-
rance of the facts are incompatible.
1t has been determined as q re-
suit OF recent hearings held by this
subcommittee that William w. Rem
lngton was permitted to hold several
important Government positions be.
tween December, 1945, and Jlmey
l948, while the Department of Jus
tlce had substantial information in.s
dlcating that Remington had been
lengaged in Soviet espionage actiyi-
ties. This subcommittee wants to,
know why Remington was allowed
10 hold these important positions
III view OF the serious charges made
against him. If there is no reason
able explanation for this apparently
lncf edible situation, then the suh-
committee has the duty of deter
mining the identity of the Govern
ment officials responsible and tina
reasons for their inaction.
| The subcommittee regrets that
1t has been unable to obtain thu.
facts from the executive DEPART
ments in the Remington case. The
refusal has been based upon two
grounds: Cd The order of the Pres
ioent dated March 13, l948, which
pronloltS the disclosure of informa-
tlon relative to the loyalty program
IN order to preserve the confidential
character and sources of informa :;
t'on furnished: and CD the protec.-
tlon OF information relative to
procedures employed by the Depart
ment OF Justice in the handling OF
alleged espionage within the Gov
ernment We have attempted to
make clear to the Attorney General
and TO his representatives that we
are not requesting, nor do we desire
10 be furnished with the loyalty
nles. or any other information such
as names of informants, sources of
information, or investigative tech
nlqueS, which might in any way
impair the loyalty program.
Information Again Requested.
In the event Remington was all
lowed to remain in important Gov-'
ernment positions because the At
torney General or the Federal Bu4
reau OF Investigation decided, as a
matter OF inveStigative technique in
connection with its inquiry into
Soviet espionage, that Remington
should be permitted to retain his,
positions. then the subcommittee
requests that it be advised that such
was the case. IT, on the other hand
remington was allowed to remaina
IN these positions through inad-
Vertence, negligence, or improper in
duence, then the subcommittee be-
lleveS it and the public have the
flght TO know the facts. The sub
committee Is not deciding the ques-
ton OF Remineton's loyalty or dis
loyalty. That question must be de-
clded by the appropriate loyalty
board. The subcommittee wants to
know ID whether the interested
Government agencies were notified
OF Remingtons alleged espionage
activities; (2) the manner in which
and to whom, and when, such no.
tlce was given, and 90 what action,
II any, was taken by Remington's
superlors upon receipt of that in
formation.
The subcommittee realizes that
under certain circumstances involy-
ing an alleged espionage agent in
the Government, the Department OF
justice might desire to proceed with
ltS investigation and to take no ac-,
tlon against the accused which
would In any way disclose the fact
that ne was the subject of an es-
plonage inVestiga ton. However in
the instant case. Remington was in
terroSated as an espionage suspect
oy representatives of the Federal Bu-
reau OF Investigation in April. l947.
ana testified in the same matter
before Federal grand jury In New
YORK In September, l947. ObyioIs-s
ly, the element of surprise then no
longer existed and the subcommit,
tee believes that an explanation of
why he was still retained in most
sensitive positions should be FORTH
coming The request of the execf-
i've departments for information ina
the Remington case Is a reasonable
request. If the executive branch
persists in its present policy of RAJ
lusing to grant that request. the
true facts cannot be learned by the.
SUBCOMMITTEE or the public. Both
are entitled to the facts. ,os
1t is believed that the interests of
the President and the executive de-
partments are identical with the in
terests of the subcommittee. All are
concerned with the security of oiIr
Government. This subcommittee will
continue to discuss this matter with
the ATTORNEY General in an effor+ ~,
arrive at a mutually satisfactory
agreement which will protect oilr
Government from any interests ADJ
verse to it and still give Congress
and the public such information as
they are properly entitled to receiys.,
amEnBHsaFga1