Evening star., 1949-05-18
Communist Student Defends
Scholarship, Insists He's Loyal
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S\ls0s0I SSHPE' 'sS
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because Of their political views or
lawful political activities the
whole concept of academic free
dom as we have known 1t is en-
dangered," Mr.. Freistadt told the
committee.
He read into the record a letter
which he wrote May Is to Senator
Hoey, Democrat, Of North Car
olina. Senator Hoey called the
attention Of the Senate last week
to the Freistadt matter and this
in turn touched off the joint COM
mittee's inquiry.
Mr.. Freistadt said he was grad
uated from the University of Chi
cago with a degree of bachelor OF
science in June. 1946, and with q
degree Of master of science in Au-
gust, 1s48. He added that he
served for two years in the Army
during World War II and was dis
charged honorably with the rank
Of sergeant.
In his letter to Senator Hoey,
Mr.. Freistadt said, Il resent the
insinuation that I am disloyal to
this country, and therefore not
entitled to the fellowship" He
went on:
II have never attacked the
American form Of government. and
support the principals Of the Con-
stitution Of the United States. 1t
!. Is true that I have criticized our
present administration and eco
nomic organization. I have argued
that our foreign policy is suicidal.
I have argued that. under social
ism, the American people could
enjoy a standard of living the like
of which we dare only dream Of
now"
Not Foreign Agent, He Says.
Mr.. Freistadt made no bones
about being a Communist but as
serted that he is not q foreign
agent" He said If at some later
time he should be granted access
to secret atomic information II
would not disclose such data to
unauthorized persons"
The constitution Of the Com
munist Party provides for ex-
pulsion Of any member engaging
in espionage" he told the COM
mittee.
Representative Van Zandt. Re-
publican. Of Pennsylvania asked
Mr.. Freistadt whether he would
defend the United States In the
event of an attack by Soviet
Russia.
The student prefaced his reply
by saying he considered this highly
improbable. but declared. firmly:
In the event the Soviet Union
attacked. I would, with all my
strength defend this country"
In other questioning by COM
mittee members he said he would
place his scientific talent at the
disposal of the Government for
work on defensive" weapons, but
not in developing any to be used
for attack.
He said that he sees no contra
diction" between his loyalty to the
United States and his membership
in the Communist Party.
Foreign Control Denied.
Allegations that the Communist
Rarty is under foreign control are
false: they have not. and cannot
be. proved In court" he testified.
IF I thought for a minute that
these allegations were true. would
resign from the Communist
Party"
Mr.. Freistadt said he regretted
the "commotion" caused by the
fellowship and told Senator Hoey
that he hoped his letter will con-
tribute to clarity matters and
bring the incident to a close" He
concluded:
ct am anxious again to devote
all my working hours to my work
as q physicist. and some OF my
free time attempting to convince
INV friends and fellow students Of
the correctness Of my political
views"
Senator O'Mahoney as chairman
of the Senate Subcommittee on
independent Offices Appropria-
tions. has a firm grip on the
Atomic Commission purse strings
and thereby on the fellowship
program.
The cash for this program-in-
cluding Mr.. Freistadt's fellowship
must come from the 81 ,090 .000.- :
900 the commission Is seeking from
Congress for the year beginning
July /.
Specific Clause Planned.
| Senator O'Mahoney said q
! Clause will be attached to the
commissions spending bill barring
1.-The award Of any fellowship TO q
person whS advocates the over