Evening star., 1953-07-10
Hiring Power Given
1oSenator Mccarthy;
Democrats May Quit
Continued From First Page

; Continued From First Page)
formed Senator Mccarthy of his
determination to quit, yesterday,
in a new letter Of resignation.
It included a defiant declaration
that his article in the American
Mercury magazine lis complete
" factual and fully documented." "
He has emphasized that he
wrote that the vast majority OF
clergymen are loyal.
In cutting words, meanwhile.
Gen. Eisenhower made public a
message to religious group de-
claring that It fully share" its
protest that Mr.. Matthews ac-
cusation was "unjustif1ed and
deplorable. His lettc" was re-
leased to the press she = ! before
announcement of Mr.. matthews
custer.
Such attacks portray con-
tempt for the principles Of free
dom and decency," Gen. Eisen-
hover said in a telegram to the
three national co-chairmen OF
the Commission on Religious Or
ganizationS of the National Con-
ference of Christians and Jews.
And when these attacks
whatever their professed purpose
be-condemn such a vast portion
of all the churches or clergy as
to create doubt in the loyalty OF
all, the damage to our nation is
multiplied.
"The churches of America are
citadels of our faith in individual
freedom and human dignity.
This faith is the living source
of all our spiritual strength.
And this strength is our match
less armor in the worldwide
struggle against the forces of
Goddess tyranny and oppres-
sion"
Democrats Served Notice.
Senator McCarthy'S accept
ance of the resignation came
on the eve of a scheduled closed
meeting of his subcommittee at
which it's three Democratic
members had served notice they
would renew their once-blocked
effort to fire Mr.. Matthews.
Senator Mccarthy the n
claimed sole authority to hire
and fire at that staff level. But
he told the Senate yesterday he
was willing now to let the sub
committee decide that issue at
today's meeting. Whether that
question would arise, in view
of Mr.. Matthews departure, was
left unclear.
In his letter of resignation.
accepted by Senator Mccarthy
with deep regret" Mr.. Mat
thews appealed to the subcom-
mittee to let him document
and verify" his statements about
the clergy.
Mcclellan Adamant.
Senator Mccarthy said he
would let the three Democrats
decide whether they cared to do
this. Their spokesman, Senator
Mcclellan, Democrat, of Arkan-
Sas, promptly declared such a
hearing would in effect be an
investigation of the clergy which
the subcommittee has neither
the power nor desire to under
take.
The proper committee to in
vestigate such charges. if Mr..
Matthews desires to press them,
is the House Un-American Ac-
tivities Committee or possibly
the Senate Internal Security
subcommittee" Senator McClel-
Ian said.
Senator Mccarthy has acted
wisely" Mcclellan said of the
acceptance Of the resignation.
He had urged Senator Mccarthy
in a Senate debate earlier in the
day to announce that he would
accept it.
Senator Mccarthy had just
defended Mr.. Matthews in the
debate as "a loyal member of the
Protestant faith" reiterated the
article was written and published
before Mr.. Matthews joined the
subcommittee staff on June %,
and said he did not intend to
censor" any staff member for
prior writings.
Doesn't Like Opening Statement.
Commenting on Mr.. Matthews
charge that Protestant clergy
men make up the largest single
group supporting the Communist
apparatus in the United States"
Senator Mccarthy said:
II don't like that general OPEN
ing statement myself" But he
told the Senate he didn't know
whether it was accurate or in
- NAI -