Evening star., 1953-12-08
Mccarthy Will Ask
Grand Jury Probe Of
Monmouth Scientist
By Cecil HoIIond

investigation of suspended Fort
Monmouth scientists denials
that he was ever a member of
the Young Communist League
and an associate of Julius Rosen-
berg, the executed atomic spy.
The Wisconsin Republican an
nounced this as his Senate In
vestigations Subcommittee be-
gan three days of hearings here
on suspected radar espionage at
the Army's Fort Monmouth
IN. j. laboratories.
The suspended scientist, Aaron
Hyman Coleman, 35, of Long
Branch. N. j., was questioned
briefly as the hearings got under
way. Then he was excused
while Senator Mccarthy received
other testimony and evidence
contradicting the scientists de-
mails of Communist associations.
The scientist, who will be re-
called for detailed questioning
tomorrow, fatty denied the ac-
cusations against him in talking
after the hearing with reporters
in the presence of his lawyer,
Richard F. Green, of Elizabeth,
N. j.
Denies Rosenberg Link.
Speaking freely, Mr.. Coleman
discussed with reporters every
point raised against him in the
morning hearing. He not only
denied ever belonging to the
Young Communist League but
also stuck to his statements that
he had never spoken to or COM
municated with Rosenberg since
they we're students at City Col
lege in New York at the same
time.
Mr.. Coleman was the scientist,
according to the subcommittee.
in whose home Army intelligence
found 43 classified documents.
In explanation of this Mr.. Cole
man has said previously that he
took the documents home for
study.
The hearings are widely re-
garded as a def1nitive test of
Senator McCarthy's charges of
espionage in the secret radar
work carried on at Fort Mon
monuth.
AS the first witness since the
hearings moved from New York
to Washington, Mr.. Coleman
testified he had worked at Fort
Monmouth for Is years, with
the exception of two years as
radar officer for the Marines at
Guadalcanal, Okinawa and other
places in the Pacific during
World War II. At the time of
his suspension in September he
was employed at the Signal
Corps school at $4,000 year and
before that at the Evans labora-
tory, both at Fort Monmouth.
In his work, Mr.. Coleman said,
he had had access to secret ma
terial.
Excerpts from Hearing Read.
Roy M. Cohn, the subcommit-
tee counsel, said Mr.. Coleman
had testified in executive ses-
sions, and then asked the witness
if he had Ion all occasions en-
deavored to tell the truth"
Yes, sir, so far as know" Mr.
Coleman replied.
Mr.. Cohn then read excerpts
from the closed subcommittee
hearing in which Mr. Coleman
denied under oath that he ever
belonged to the young Com
munist League and denied that
he even knew Rosenberg had
been working for the Signal
Corps until the executed atomic
spy was arrested.
With Mr.. Coleman remaining
In the room, the subcommittee
called Nathan Sussman of New
York City, who testified that he
belonged to the young Commu-
mist League at City College from
1885 to 1888, and knew Rosen-
berg and others who have been
identified as members of the
Rosenberg espionage ring. Mr..
Sussman said Mr.. Coleman was
a member of the league.
Rosenberg Testimony Cited.
Mr.. Cohen also cited testimony
OF Rosenberg during his espio-
mage trial to the effect that Mr..
Coleman was one of his college
associates whom he had met
later at Fort Monmouth.
Senator Mccarthy agreed with
a suggestion by Mr.. Cohn that
the subcommittee also should
attempt to find out who was re-
sponSible in the Army for retain
ing Mr.. Coleman at Fort Mon
mouth.
Fred Kitty of Crawford, N. j.,
who said he formerly worked for
Mr.. Coleman at the Evans labo-
ratory, testified that at Mr..
Coleman's request, when he was
in the Marine Corps, he sent him
through the mails radar infor-
nation and sketches some of
which were intercepted by the
FBI.
The witness said he assumed
Mr.. Coleman wanted it in con-
nection with his radar work with
the Marines.
Hearings Resume Tomorrow.
After Mr.. Kitty's testimony
Senator Mccarthy recessed the
hearings until IL am. tomorrow
In discussing the accusations
with reporters Mr.. Coleman said
that about 1887 or 1888, when
he and Rosenberg were at City
College. Rosenberg told him he
was a Communist and tried to
get him tMr. Coleman) to GO
with him to a meeting of the
Young Communist League.
Il didn't go right away" Mr.
Coleman said. II finally went
on the basis I would not have
a closed mind. I Went-to one