Evening star., 1949-01-16
Rayburn and Martin
Support Plan TO Study
Tighter Spy Laws
sy the Assoeiofed Press

Speaker Rayburn and House Min
ority Leader Martin threw biparti-
san weight yesterday behind the
idea of hunting ways to tighten the
laws against spying.
They showed an inclination to go
along with Attorney General Clark
on the general theme that Congress
should explore the possibility of
giving the Government greater
peacetime powers to combat espion-
age.
But Mr.. Clark's specific proposals,
particularly to legalize wire tapping,
probably will be approached cau-
tiously.
Speaker Rayburn told reporters:
II wouldn't be surprised If search
were made of what might be done"
Mr.. Martin said: II think it's worth
a careful study to see If we can do
anything"
Rayburn Sees Approval.
Mr. Martin didn't want to take
a position on wire tapping in spy
cases without thinking it over more
He said he would want to be sure
we don't overstep ourselves" in try
ing to check spying.
But Speaker Rayburn said:
I'm sure Congress would look
favorably on a reasonable bill that
would allow the Justice Department
to do wire tapping under the proper
restrictions.
"I' don't think any one wants to
deny that mans home is his castle.
But if the Government has a lead
indicating that some one was jeop-
ardizing the national defense, 1t
should be allowed to pursue it,
Mr. Clark made his recOnmenda-
tions for tougher antispy laws in
letters Friday night to Mr.. Rayburn
and Chairman McCarran of the
Senate Judiciary Committee. itiJ
Stronger Laws Urged. I
He said the more stringent laws
were needed to protect and improve
the internal security Of the Nation"
in these days of swift and more
devastating weapons of modern war
fare. coupled with inc trcacherous
operations OF those who would
weaken our country internally, pre-
liminary to and IN conjunction with
external attack.
He said Congress should end the
statute of limitat:ons in spy cases,
so the Government could prosecute,
regardless of how long ago the Of
fenses were committed.
He said Congress should make it
legal for the FBI and for Army,
Navy and Air Force intelligence Of
ficers to tap wires in spy cases so
the evidence could be used in court.
Mr.. Clark said the tapping should
be done under rules drawn up by
his Office.
Other Suggestions Offered.
The Attorney General had several
other suggestions. such as making it
a felony to possess restricted Gov
ernment papers without permission
and requiring registration as foreign
agents of all people in America
who have received spy training from
a Foreign government or political
party.
The House Committee on Un-
American Activities asked Mr.. Clark
months ago for recommendations
on strengthening the espionage
laws.
That was before it brought its
Red spy hunt into the open-a hunt
that produced documentary evil
dence that secret papers were stolen
from the State Department 10 years
ago and turned over to a former
Communist courier. /
Representative Wood, Democrat,
of Georgia, DUE to become chairman
of the IN n-American Activities Com
mittee this week. said he is for
Strengthening the espionage laws
to any extent required, bearing in
mind the protection of the rights
of the people" But he. too, said he
would want to study the wire-tap-
ming PROPOSAL further