The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-06-25

The curtain has fallen on the greatest show of
1e54-perhaps the greatest show ever presented to
the American people The McCarthy-Army hearings
are UNSURPASSED for dramatic appeal degree of emo
tona bias generated, the number of important peo-
pie involved and the size of the audience
The simple issues which started the investigation
soon became clouded by many side issues some OF
them more important than the originals. The Army
accused Senator Mccarthy and his staff OF using
undue pressure to obtain special privileges for an
Army private G. David Schine. Mccarthy and co.
countercharged that the Army was holding Pvt.
Schne as hostage" to get Mccarthy to cease lnVes-
tigating charges of Communist infHuahon INTO ana
activity in the Army
II would SEEM considering the large number OF
phone calls visits and special requests IN favor OF
Pvt. Schine that undue pressure was beng usen'
The seriousness of this, however, realizing that the
Army is constantly dealing with pressure OF one KIND
or another might be questioned.
On the other hand, it does not seem that Pvt
Schine vas being held hostage to obtain dS-
continuance of the investigation OF communists IN
the Army II is rather apparent, though, tnat mem
bers of the Department of the Army did such by
diverse other means some questionable, 10 prlhe
an end to the Investigations
Among the more important side issues that arose,
two might be mentioned.
Relationship between the Executive and the
Legislative branch of the government. tnis Is a
most important question. Should committee oil
Congress or Congress itself have the power TO check
upon and thereby control every aspect OF the acuV
ties of the President the Cabinet, and the other Of
fees of the Executive Branch?
In other words, should the President be respon-
ble to Congress-? Or should he be responsible to the
people of the country with the obligation OF coop
Grating with Congress? In opinion, the latter Is
the traditional American pattern The unstable plight
of France where the Premier is a creature OF Parha-
ment should make us think carefully before adopt
ine pattern similar TO this.
q The relationship of means 10 the end IN Con-
rressions investigation. Many have said that COM
munsm is so insidious, and its meafs as ueacherous
that any means are justified to eliminate IT. If means
of questionable legality morality have been used
bv the Mccarthy subcommittee, these are claimed
10 be permissible under the circumstances. We can
not agree with this
Communism is treacherouS insldlous and diabo
ical and must be extermnated Yet the ethical prlnc
pie still holds The end does not Justify the means
The methods and procedures used by any Con
rressiona committee must conform TO the moral law
and with the laws of the country. Otherwise, such
a committee will defeat its own purpose
Although, the Mccarthy Army hearings have en-
tertained many, and have presented some outsiand
ing legal maneuyering, cannot help but be SAD
that il all has happened II vas big fight; pubic
fight: even al times dirty fight We can only hope
that some good will come of it now that II has hap
oened II has raised and we hope, clarified certain
issues basic TO form Of government II has shown
the public the type Of hearing that Is held by Con
sressional Committee We hope that our country viii
derive some benefit from this great show.