Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-31
hcCdrihy Opens Fire
On Senate Accusers
As Hearing Starts
Continued From First Page.)

been brought home to me, I
conceived 1t my duty to expend
every effort Of mind and body
to fight subversion. to help clean
traitors and potential traitors
out of the Government. I con-
ceive this to be my first duty to
my constituents and to my coun-
try. I still do"
Three Groups Of Critics Listed.
Senator Mccarthy said the
fight against communism had
been INSTRUCTED by three groups.
He listed these as the Commu-
nistS and their sympathizers,
those who do not sympathize
with communism but deny it
presents a serious threat, and by
those who profess to appreciate
the strength of the Communist
fifth column but who balk at
taking vigorous measures to
stamp it out"
The Wisconsin Republican,
whose political future hangs in
the balance, said the three
groups. although differently mo-
tivated, "have rallied around the
common standard" He said they
have shaken hands on the
proposition that vigorous anti
communism somehow represents
a greater danger to America than
communism ITSELF"
/, Senator Mccarthy described
the three groups as an ''unholy
alliance" and that If it should
have its way then I propose the
premise that holds it together
that vigorous anti-communi2ss
is more dangerous than commu-
nism-as a fitting epitaph on the
grave of American civilization. -
Offers Full Cooperation.
He said there is disunity in
the country and perhaps my
activities have been part of its
cause" But. he added, others
who had opposed his fight
against the Red menace were
more to blame than he for the
disunity.
Senator Mccarthy told the
Watkins committee he hoped
that each of the charges made
against him on the Senate floor
will either be considered by the
committee or declared by. it w
worthy Of being considered. HIS
offered the committee full CO.
operation.
If the select six-member COM
mittee finds there are no grounds
for censure and the Senate con-
firms the findings, Senator Nc
Carthy probably will emerge a
more powerful and influential
figure than ever.
Result Could Be Otherwise.
On the other hand, if the
Senate censures, or condemns
Senator Mccarthy for past &C
tions. as it has been requested
to do, his political stature prob
ably will be reduced materially.
The three Senators who In the
past were condemned for bring
ing discredit to the Senate were
all defeated for reelection.
Early days of the hearing will
be taken up with d reading OF
the records intended to support
five general categories Of charges
made against Senator Mccarthy
by three Senators. They are SEN
ator Flanders, Republican. OF
Vermont, author of the Senate
resolution of censure; Senator
Fulbright, Democrat, Of Arkan-
SaS, and Senator Morse, indie
pendent. of Oregon.
The setting for the new hear
ing. the marble Senate Caucus
room, was the same as that OF
the recent .Army-McC arthy in
vestigation. But there all SINH
larity to the long, televised show
ceases
The cast Of characters in the
new drama is different anC
the whole proceeding. very much
unlike the 36-day hearing, viii
be conducted in q judicial atmos.
phere with Federal court rule:
applying to the introduction Of
evidence, the handling of wit.
nesses and in other ways.
Johnson Might Be Challenged.
Before the hearing begar
there was a hint that Senator
Mccarthy might challenge the
impartiality of one of the 81,
Senators who make up the cen.
sure Jury" Senator johnson
Democrat, of Colorado.
Senator Mccarthy was sale
to have clipping from a Den.
yer. Colo. newspaper, in which
Senator Johnson made some
comments about him. Senator
Mccarthy refused to say whether
he brought the matter up al
a closed meeting of the Watkins
committee late yesterday.
Senator johnson, when asked
by a reporter If he considered
himself impartial in the Nc.
Carthy censure "trial," replied
IF I didn't, surely wouldn't
be here"
The committee will recess early
this afternoon, Senator Watkin.
said, so the staff may view the
American Legion parade.