Evening star., 1953-10-07
ArmySuspendsAide
For Security Reasons
AT Signal Corps Base
BY the Assoeiossd Press

The Army announced last
night the suspension for security
reasons Of an undiScloSed num-
ber of persons at its Signal
Corps laboratory at Fort Mon
mouth, N. j.
It declined to give details.
The Chicago Tribune Press Serv-
ice said that among five persons
suspended were two "top SCI
entiStS engaged in the develop
ment of Americas radar defenseS
against enemy attack"
The Tribune did not disclose
the source of information for its
copyrighted story. but said the
Army's investigation stemmed
from an inquiry by the SEN
ate Investigation subcommittee
headed by Senator Mccarthy,
Republican, of Wisconsin.
Charges Are Not Specified.
The Chicago Tribune account
said those suspended included
two other scientific workers and
a clerical employe, similarly en-
ployed in top-secret military
work"
"All five men have had
access for years to this coun-
try'S defense secrets in the
electronicS field" the Tribune
said in a dispatch from Wash
ington.
At the Pentagon, the Army
refused to disclose the names or
even the numbers of persons in
volved in the security case.
A spokesman cited an Army
order based on President Eisen-
howers April % security direc-
tive. The order stated that "re-
ports and information shall be
maintained in confidence and no
access shall be given thereto ex-
cept, with consent of the investi-
eating agency concerned, to
other departments and agencies
conducting security programs"
Charges Not Specified.
The Army, in a brief state
ment, earlier, did not specify
what security charges had been
placed against the suspended
men,.
'"These employees" it said,
"have been given letters of
charges stating the reasons for
their suspension. They have
the right within 80 days after
the receipt Of the charges to
request hearing before a Sc
curity hearing board"
The Chicago Tribune said
names of these involved were
being withheld pending the out
come of an investigation, and
that the suspensions were per-
sonally ordered" by Secretary of
the Army Stevens.
The Tribune account continued:
Thirty employees at Fort Mon
mouth. in addition to those sus-
pended, are under investigation
on security grounds. A number
of these will be questioned by
the Mccarthy committee.
Several figures in the Rosen- |
berg case will be involved in the
inquiry. There are definite links |
between the former atomic spy
ring and those under investiga-
tion in the present investigation"
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
were electrocuted, earlier this
year after being convicted of
having delivered atomic secrets
to Soviet espionage agents.
Army officials at Fort Mon
declined to comment, re-
ferring all inquiries to the Pen
tagon in Washington.
Hearings Expected.
Francis P. Carr, staff director
for Senator McCarthy's Investi-
cation subcommittee, told re-
porter the group plans public
on the cases of the sus-
pended employees and perhaps
some others.
Mr.. Carr said no date has been
set but that he now expects the
hearings will not start before
at least a couple of weeks" /
He said the subcommittee has
been looking into the matter
quietly but declined to give fur
ther details.
A committee staff member, who
asked not to be named, told a .
reporter that eat least 30'' Signal
Corps employees will be ques-