Evening star., 1954-05-09

ChCC UCbWCCA UACSC O"V RlCt'
became acting head of the Fl
in us by the people, and the
country's security will be in
peril"
Various people with various
motives throughout the years
have pictured J. Edgar Hoover
as mysterious and sinister
threat to the liberties of the
people-and as a super-patriot
guarding the civil rights guaran-
teed under the Constitution.
81 guess I've grown a little
callous of criticism" he said
I'm not as sensitive as I once
was. But I'm not so callous
won't fight back if I think the
criticism is unjust"
On the political side. Mr.
Hoover created a furry when he
appeared as a witness last No
vember to testify in the case of
the late Harry Dexter White
after Attorney General Brownell
charged former President Tru-
man promoted White despite FB1
reports of espionage activities.
Some Democrats said privately
they regarded Mr.. Hoover's testi-
mony as political-and pro-Re-
publican. There was some ques-
tioning of Mr.. Hoover's motives
Why did Mr.. Hoover testify in
the White case?
Il always have resisted ap-
pearanceS before any congress
sional committee except those
dealing with appropriations, >
Mr.. Hoover said. "The only ex-
ceptionS I have made have been
on orders from the Attorney
General or on the insistence OF
the committees.
Congressional c I'm mittees
can require an appearance !
never have gone so far as to
demand that I be subpoenaed
l don't think I should.
Explains White Case.
After the Attorney General
made his speech on the White
Case, stories and rumors were
widely circulated that I had
been party to an agreement
to promote White and retain
him in government.
That story was absolutely
untrue. The Jenner committee
(the Senate Internal Security
Subcommittee headed by Sena-
tor Jenner of Indiana) called
me twice and asked me to testify
on the White case and twice
I refused.
Il agreed to testify on the
third request rather than face
a subpoena. I agreed because !
wished to avoid a subpoena and
because the story which was 60
ing around reflected on me and
on the FBI. 1t was an absolue
lie.
fortunately, at the time Gin
l946) I had written memoranda
to refresh my memory of con-
VersationS had with Judge Vim
son and Justice Clark (at that
time, the late Fred Vinson was
Secretary of the Treasury and
Tom Clark was Attorney Gen
eraD.
"At that time it was the view
OF Clark, Vinson and myself that
1t was undesirable to retain
White. They agreed they woulc
talk to the President about the
situation. I never saw Mr.. Tru-
man myself. I had no reason tc
see him. Later I was informed
a decision had been made tt
keep White on.
II testified in the White case
solely to clarity the role I hac
played in the situation. I never
could have been party to any
agreement about White. The
President has a cabinet to ad.
wise him and it's not my place
to do it. My relations with Mr.
Truman, while friendly, were MOI
such that ran in and out of hi.
Office.
Spoke With Vigor.
What else could I have don,
except set the record straight
Some said that I spoke with such
vigor I left an impression O.
criticism. BY nature, 1 expires.
myself vigorously at all times
I'm not a soft. easy-going indi.
vidual. I play tennis hard.
walk fast. And in my testimony
I spoke as usually do-witl
vigor.
! Most people overlooked f.;
statement made by Senator Jen
ner before I testified which mad,
it clear I had been called t,
testify. tThis statement was on,
in which Senator Jenner said tn,
committee had "deliberated yer,
carefully about the advisabilit,
OF calling" Mr.. Hoover. It added
This man is the custodian O
the Nations security and a
such must be kept out of ever,
other activity. We feel that h,
should not be called before con
gressional committees excep
wherein situation urgentl,
warrants to clear up any posi-
BILE imputation of irregularity."
Then Mr.. Hoover added: dur
ing Republican administration
l have been accused of being |
Democrat-and during Demo
cratic administrations I've beer
accused of being a Republican
AS matter of fact, being a resi-
dent of Washington. I've neve
voted and I have no politics.
! "At least I've never been &C
cused Of being o Communist.