Evening star., 1951-07-13
Red Base Set Up
For 81 March,
Hearing Told
Bonus Army Lacked
Adequate Leaders,
communist Says

A0S56 60tS @SStSF
Ex-Communist Says
A former Communist told Con-
gress today that lack Of adequate
leadership by veterans organiza-
tionS permitted the Communist
Party to establish a firm base Of
in Washington to, stir
up trouble in the 1882 soldiers
bonus march.
John T. Pace Of Centerville.
Tenn, who said he left the party
in 1885. was called before the
House Un-American Activities
Committee to repeat secret testi-
mony he gave in closed session two
years ago on Communist moves to
foster the march here for imme-
diate payment of a World War I
bonus.
But the committee decided to
make public the 1949 testimony
and the witness spent most of his
time discussing Communist infil-
tration among youth groups and
the part he has played in fighting
communism since 1885.
To Wind Up Baltimore Probe.
At one point he said a main
Communist goal is to indoctrinate
youths "as potential members Of
the armed forces" in acts Of sabo-
tage which they should perform
as servicemen in event of war. He
SAID the youth movement reaches
in age down to "a little past the
walking STAGE"
Later today the committee
hopes to wind up its probe Of
Communist activities in the Bal
timore area. Five witnesses were
scheduled.
Mr.. Pace was summoned follow
ing Republican charges that his
1949 testimony was suppressed
along with suggestions that it
might reflect creditably on Gen.
Macarthur, who, as Army Chief
of Staff in 1882, called out troops
to quell uprisings among the
marchers. However, the name Of
the ousted Far Eastern COM
was not raised during the
session.
Held Up BY Objection.
Committee Counsel Frank s.
Tavenner, jr., stated that the 1949
testimony was planned for release.
but was held up on objection Of
one committee member. He ex-
planned the point was raised
whether the testimony would
have given rise to inaccurate i'm
plications about veterans groups.
The committee then decided to
release the old report. giving Mr..
Pace the right to make additions
to it.
At this point. Mr.. Pace de-
clared he had been able to use
the Michigan delegation Of bonus
marchers ito carry out the Com
munist program because it lacked
proper leadership" He added:
Had the right people UNDER
stood the reasons for the march
and provided proper leadership.
Communists would never have
been able to establish a base of
operations in Washington and the
trouble would have been
avoided"
Joined After Losing Business.
In the report of his earlier tes-
timony, Mr.. Pace was quoted as
saying the Communist goal was
to turn the veterans against the
Government by associating the
Government with their economic
needs.
Mr.. Pace gave as reasons for
joining the party in 1880 that he
lost his business and was wiped
out in the sudden depression.
In 1885, he went on. he realized
the damage I had done," quit the
party.
The witness said he supported
ANY legislation" which would cut
down operations of the Communist
Party here. He said he had no
sympathy with fears Of driving
Communist leaders underground.
because "the backbone of the
party has always been under
ground"
He also urged the committee
TO make a stronger appeal for
testimony from former Commu-
nists. "At one time" he added.
some of us thought of forming
IN organization Of ex-Commu-
nists."
The public hearing apparently
stemmed from a Republican
charge that Democrats had sup
pressed Mr.. PAGES testimony be-
cause it reflected creditably on
Gen. MacArthur's handling Of the
bonus uprisings.
Meanwhile the committee made
title progress yesterday in finding
,ut anything about the Maryland
Committee for Peace. and any
connection with Communist Party
Both, Louis j. Shub, instructor
It the Baltimore Institute Of Musi-
al Arts, and Gunther Wertheim-
II, candidate for a doctors de-
,ree at the Johns Hopkins Uni
'ersity, refused to answer ques-
ions on grounds that they might
themselves.
Mr.. Shub. who served in North
Africa and Italy during World
Var II, refused fatty to answer
whether he, Mr.. Wertheimer and
Dr.. Ruth Bleier organized the
Maryland Committee for Peace
wo years ago.
MIR. Wertheimer also refused
my comment on a similar line Of
lost 3-Yeur-OId Child
y ~.