Evening star., 1953-09-24
Mccarthy 10 Seek
Multiple Charges
Against Lamont
BY tn. A..seie,ed Pres.


NEW YORK, Sept. 24.-Sen-
ator Mccarthy, Republican, Of
Wisconsin says he will ask the
Senate to cite Author Corliss
Lamont on at least two dozen"
contempt counts for refusing to
answer questions before the
Senate Permanent Investigations
subcommittee.
Senator Mccarthy said he
called Mr.. Lamont for a one.
day closed hearing yesterday be-
cause two Of the authors books
are in State Department librar-
les overseas.
In a statement issued after
the hearing Mr.. Lamont chal-
lenged the legality of Senator
McCarthy's committee and de-
clared:
II am loyal American and I
am not now and never have
been a member of the Commu-
mist Party"
Says He Refused to Answer.
Senator Mccarthy agreed that
Mr.. Lamont testified to that eff
feet. But the Senator said Mr..
Lamont refused to answer his
questions on the same subject
or to invoke the fifth amend
ment. which allows an individ-
ual to refuse to answer certain
questions on the grounds of
self discrimination.
In his statement Mr.. Lamont,
son of the late f1nancier, Thomas
w. Lamont. charged that Sena-
tor McCarthy's inquiry violated
the free speech and free press
guarantee of the first amend
ment and added:
Under the rules of the Senate
and the statutes organizing the
appointment of this standing
committee, this committee has
no authority to examine into
the personal and private affairs
of private citizens.
ANY action with regard to my
books by officials of the Govern
ment was done without my prior
knowledge or consultation with
me. IS
Il took no parh in any pro.'
ceedingS involving any govern
mental authority and therefore
this committee is without power
to examine me under the rules
and statute governing it."
Hearing Set for Monday.
Senator Mccarthy said Mr..
Lamont will be called to a public
hearing of his subcommittee
scheduled for next Monday in
Washington
Senator Mccarthy said the
Lamont writings in question in
cluded a 1914 book. Peoples of
the U S S. r." and a chapter
on Nation and Racial Minor
tiles" in a symposium book on
the Soviet Union.
The Senator added that Mr.
Lamont's works also were used
as source material for a re-
stricted military intelligence doc
ument on Soviet Siberia's pSy-
Geological and cultural traits.
In attacking the power Of the
subcommittee, Mr.. Lamont cited
Supreme Court decisions involv-
ing j. Edward Jones, an oil
financ1er and Edward A. Rumely.
executive secretary of the Com
mittee for Constitutional Gov
ernment.
Mr.. Rumely had refused to
give a House of Representatives
committee information on book
purchasers. In the courts deci-
sion last March Justice William
o Douglas said the investigative
power was limited and inquiry
into personal and private affairs
is precluded
SEC Case Cited.
Another court decision. cited
by Mr.. Lamont, occurred in
April, 1886. when the highest trl-
bunal held that the Securities
and Exchange Commission had
invaded the rights of Mr. Jones
in trying to force testimony
about a withdrawn registration
statement.
In that case, the late Justice
George Sutherland ruled that
"the citizen. when interrogated
about mis- private affairs. has a
right before answering to know
why the inquiry is made; and if
the purpose disclosed is not
Legitimate one he is not required
to answer"
At yesterdays hearing another
witness. according to Senator
Mccarthy. was Louis Budenz a
former Communist. Senator
Mccarthy said Mr.. Budenz re-
peated testimony that Mr.. La
mont once admitted Communist
membership to him.
Mr.. Lamont denied yesterdays
sr' ." previous charges by Mr.
BudenZ.
49,. Lamont is a lecturer in
philosophy at Columbia Uni
Versity.