Evening star., 1953-11-13
Mr.. Truman Should Speak Up

up by the Harry Dexter White case is about to
blow itself out-with the truth still unrevealed
few additional items may be added to the
record. Some light may be She'd for instance,
on the accuracy of two statements made by
Attorney General Brownell in his speech last
Friday. On that occasion he said fatty that
Harry Dexter White was Russian spy" He
also said this: Harry Dexter White was known
to be Communist spy by the very people who
appointed him to the most sensitive and impor-
tant position he ever held in Government serv-
ice." This statement although Mr.. Brownell is
trying to back away from its implications
could only have been intended to mean that
Harry S. Truman, who made the appointment,
knew that he was appointing Communist spy.
This is too serious an accusation to be lost in
the shuttle of partisan cry and countercry. If
it can be proved, the proof lies in the FBI report
of February 4, 1896 President Eisenhower has
indicated his willingness to have the sub
stance Of that report made public, and Mr..
Brownen should come forward with it, The
public is entitled to know whether he simply
made reckless statement, or whether Mr.. Tru-
man. on the basis of the facts submitted to him
by the FBI, should have known that Mr. White
was a Communist spy"
But an obligation as great, if not greater
rests on the former President. He, too should
come forward with the facts as he recalls them.
In The Stars opinion, Mr.. Truman was
right in refusing to comply with the subpoena
from the House Un-American Activities Com
mittee. A constitutional principle was at stake
the power or lack of power of congressional
committee to compel former President to sub
nit to examination with respect to his official
acts. Until there is an authoritative ruling to
the contrary, Mr.. Truman Should refuse to yield
on this ISSUE
But no constitutional principle serves to
prevent Mr.. Truman from making candid
statement to the American people. And in JUS
tice to himself, to the high office which he held,
and to the people, he ought to make such
statement.
AS matters stand, the record shows that Mr..
Truman has denied that he saw either the FBI
report which was delivered to the White House
on December 4, 1945, or the report of the fol-
lowing February 4. 1t also shows that he said
Mr.. White was fired" when it was discovered
that he was wrong" or, in another version,
"disloyal" These statements cannot be sup
ported If Mr.. Truman did not see the Deem
ber report, he almost certainly saw the second
report on February or February 6. Nor was
Mr.. White fired. He resigned, or was forced to
resign, in April, 1947-14 months after Governor
ByrneS says he discussed the contents of the
second FBI report with Mr.. Truman. Further
more, Mr.. Truman signed letter warmly prais-
ing Mr.. White when the latter bowed out.
1t will be a sad thing if the former Presi-
dent is content to let the record stand in this
condition. No one in his right mind will believe,
in the absence of conclusive proof, that Mr.
Truman knowingly and disloyally appointed
Communist spy to an important post. But
neither is it possible to believe that the state
ments he has made up to this time correspond
to the facts. There must be some explanation of
the discrepancy-perhaps an impetuous reac-
ton, or faulty memory, or possibly something
else. Whatever it may be, the former President,
having had time and opportunity to refresh his
recollection ought to come forward with his
version of what really happened. If he does not
do this if he elects to remain silent and ride out
the storm, he can have no legitimate complaint
if many people draw differences that are most
unfavorabe to him.