Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-03
Puerto Rican Official
Thankful Wounded
Bear No Grudge'

OSNAA hvV ~ NSSSU
Gov. Luis Munoz Marin Of
Puerto Rico today said he was
glad the members of Congress
wounded by four fanatics from
his country bore mo grudge
against the many for the faults
of the few"
Gov. Munoz few to Washing
ton yesterday to call on the five
wounded Congressman and ex-
press his regrets personally to
them.
He also called on President
Eisenhower at the White House.
When he appeared with Speaker
Martin on the House floor,
where the wild outburst Of shots
felled the members, he received
q standing ovation.
Visits Wounded Men.
At Casualty Hospital, Gov.
Munoz visited with Representa-
tive Fallon, Democrat, of Mary
land, and Representative Rob-
ertS. Democrat. of Alabama.
These people don't represent
the government of Puerto Rico.
Our government cannot condone
these f1endish attacks" he told
the two men.
Mr.. Roberts was shot in the
leg and Mr.. Fallon in the hip.
Both are recovering satisfac-
torily.
Gov. MunoZ was unable to see
Representative Bentley, Repub-
lican. of Michigan, the most
seriously wounded of the five
House members hit. He paid
his respects to Mrs. Bentley
when they met outside Mr.. Bent
ley's hospital room.
Later at the Naval Hospital in
Bethesda Gov. Munoz saw Rep
resentative Davis, Democrat, of
Tennessee and Representative
Jensen, Republican. of Iowa.
Gov. Munoz told Mr.. Davis, Il
wanted to come personally to tell
you how all of us feel. That
little group is not representative
Of democracy"
Mr.. Davis answered.:
II thoroughly appreciate the
courtesy Of your visit and know
the people of the United States
will not be resentful of Puerto
Rico as a whole
The Governor told Mr.. Jen-
sen. Il just came to say hello"
Mr.. Jensen replied. 1T was very
kind of you to come"
During his visit with President
Eisenhower at the White House.
Gov. Munoz said he told the
President Puerto Ricans are
protesting the outrage of Mon
day.
He said the commonwealth
would intensity its cooperation
with Federal authorities to
stamp out. by all legal means,
what he called this lunacy" of
Nationalist extremists.
The Governor said some head
way has been made. for the Ma
tionaliSt movement has declined
steadily in membership. He
said after it corraled only 5000
of the 100000 votes cast in 1882.
the party developed a theory
against votes in favor of vio-
lence."
But. in reply to reporters
questions. Gov. Munoz said there
is no justification for expecting
repeated attempts at aSsaSSina-
ton. even in view Of the Blair
House incident of 1850 and the
House shooting this week.
"Should Be Vigilant."
I'VE can and should be Wig
liant" he said, but, after all.
these lunatics number only about
500 people on the island. They
are but a small percentage of
our population"
Gov. Munoz would not tell
newsmen what President Eisen-
hover said to him but White
House Press, Secretary James c.
Hagerty volunteered information
that the President expressed
thanks for the Governors visit
and his comments.
At one point the Governor was
asked whether he believed a
Communist element had whipped
up the frenzy which possessed
the four who sprayed bullets in
the House chamber.
He replied he had mo proof"
that Communists were involved
but he added that the behavior
of these people" indicated to him
the possibility of Communist ac-
tivity.
He said their behavior was
fright along the line the Com
munists follow everywhere
against the good name Of the
United States"