Evening star., 1950-05-28
Sowyer Demands Reminqton
And Lee Resign or Be Ousted
For Good of the Department
Both Under Scrutiny
By Congress; Loyalty
Reflection Is Denied
By J, A. O'Leov

Wy - ~ ~ GCoIy
Secretary of Commerce Sawyer
last night called on two of his
subordinate officials to resign or
face custer proceedings. The
two, who have been under fire be-
fore Congressional committees,
are:
William w. Remington, 81
year-old international trade econ
omist, who has been the subject
Of loyalty hearings by House and
Senate committees at various
times for two years.
Michael E. Lee, chief of the
Far Eastern branch in the Office
of International Trade, whose
background has been under scru-
tiny by the Senate Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee
since Senator Malone, Republi-
can,. of Nevada described him as
the man the Chinese Nationalists
blame for alleged delay in ship
ments to their troops before they
lost the Chinese mainland.
No Reflection on Loyalty Intended.
In announcing the unexpected
action of Mr.. Sawyer, the depart
ment quickly explained that this
action is in no wise intended to
reflect in any way on the loyalty
of either of these two men. Their
loyalty cases are now pending be-
fore the Commerce Loyalty Board,
and no decisions have as yet been
reached"
The action was taken "in the
interest of good administration in
the department." the statement
said. 1t also said:
Should the designations not be
forthcoming, administrative pro-
ceedings will be begun looking to-
wards their separation from the
departments service"
Mr.. Remington promptly an
nounced he will not resign under
fire, but is willing to see this
fight through"
Mr.. Lee was equally prompt in
deciding not to resign. declaring
he has served the department
Loyalty" for five years, and deny
ing he has ever been a Com
munist.
Next Move Up to Sawyer.
This puts the next move in re-
gard to both men up to Mr..
Sawyer.
The Senate Commerce Commit
tee met with Mr.. Sawyer Thurs
day afternoon to go over the re-
port of subcommittee which had
made a preliminary inquiry into
Senator Malone's charges against
Mr.. Lee. The committee was re-
ported to have demanded dis
misal of Mr.. Lee, a Manchurian-
born naturalized citizen.
Committee members made it
clear after the meeting that there
would be full-scale inveStiga-
4tion if Mr.. Lee was not discharged.
There had been no advance in
timation that any immediate ac-
ton was in sight affecting Mr..
Remington. although he had been
called back before the House
Committee on American Ac-
tivities early this month in a re-
opening of the issue of whether
he had associated with Commu-
nistS in the past.
''Demolishing" Answer Promised.
After the recent House hearings,
Mr.. Remington and his attorney,
Joseph L. Rauh. jr. promised an
answer that would "demolish" the
charges of his accusers.
Last nights Commerce Depart
ment announcement revealed that
the secretary instructed Com
merce personnel officials on Thurs
day, May 25. to request" resigna-
tions from both Mr. Lee and Mr..
Remington. That was the day the
secretary was closeted with the
Senate Commerce Committee.
Mr.. Lee indicated that he got
his first information about the re-
quest for his resignation when
newspapers began to call him last
night.
Il have been informed that
Secretary Sawyer has requested
my resignation after being di-
(See LOYALTY, Page A-3.)