Evening star., 1954-01-07
New Session Opens
With Drive 10 Curb
Conduct Of Probers

The conduct and effect Of COM
mittee investigations came In for
plenty Of House notice at the
start Of the new session of Con-
gress.
Representative Heating. New
York Republican on the Judici-
ary Committee. put in a bill yes
terday that would authorize the
granting of immunity to wit
nesses who otherwise might take
refuge In the fifth amendments
guarantee against possible self
incrimination.
The Heating measure, referred
to the judiciary Committee for
possible open hearings within a
few weeks, would apply to wit
nesseS before congressional COM
mittees or Federal courts or
grand juries. Unlike similar pro-
posals in the past, it would give
the Attorney General absolute
control over the granting Of i'm
munity to witnesses before con-
greSsional committees. Attorney
General Brownell recently sug-
gested such a procedure.
Joint Unit Urged.
The House was urged by Rep
resentatives Celler and Roose-
welt. Democrats of New York, to
act promptly on bills they pre-
vlously introduced to establish
a HouSe-Senate committee for
investigation of subversive ac-
tivities.
They called attention to their
bills lin view of recent interest
to create a Joint committee with
exclusive authority to investigate
in that field and the announced
intention Of members of the
House and Senate to introduce
appropriate legislative propos-
ais"
Another New York Democrat.
Representative Heller, sponsored
a bill suggesting major changes
in rules of procedure governing
congressional Investigations.
Dissatisfaction Seen.
There is great dissatisfaction
in our country today with the in
veStigative methods and pro-
cedures used by congressional
committees" Mr.. Heller stated.
"A good deal of abuse of these
processes has proved injurious
to the civil rights and liberties
of American citizens. When these
legislative Investigations take the
appearance of court trial. when
they are conducted in a way to
advance the political fortunes
of an individual who is a men,
ber Of such committee or the
political party with which he is
affiliated. then it is time to revise
or amend our rules of procedure
to bring them within the scope
of our democratic processes. BY
adoption of these rules we shall
not only vastly improve the pres
lige of Congress but also bring
to an end the period of fear and
hysterla and lift the national
morale"
Rules recommended by Mr..
Heller would require committees
to state the subject and purpose
of hearings in advance, ban tele-
vision and radio coverage If a
witness objects, notify persons
of the nature of complaints
against them, and give them
ample opportunity to present
evidence and rebuttal state
mentS.
Would Limit Questions.
The bill also provided that no
witness should be compelled to
testify concerning his political
or religious beliefs unless such
information was clearly relevant
to the investigation.
Still another bill dropped into
the House hopper would prohibit
the Government from paying
annuities to government en-
ployes. including members of
Congress, who are convicted on
charges of improper use of au-
thority. power or influence while
in public service. This would
apply also to District govern
ment employees.
Representative st. George. Re-
publican, of New York, who in
troduced the bill, said she was
prompted to do so because per
sons like Alger Hiss, William
Remington and Carl MarZani,
who have betrayed the trust of
the United States While a Fed
eral employe. might possibly re-
ceive a retirement annuity some
day based on disloyal service"
The St. George bill, however,
would go farther by prohibiting
annuities to persons who refuse
to appear. testify or produce pa
pers upon any matter under in
quiry before either branch of
Congress-"