Evening star., 1954-10-12
|Rees Urges Review
OF Loyalty Program;
Statistics Stir Row

SBU1lSlEGS Jill NVW
An Administration report that
6.926 security risks left the Gov
ernment between May %, 1853.
and June 80. 1854. today brought
a demand from a House Repub-
lican leader for a more detailed
review of the Federal loyalty
security program.
The report was made public
yesterday by the Civil Service
Commission. It said that 1,743
of the 6,926 had subversive data
in their files. And it said that
2.611 of the total were fired,
while 4,3l5 resigned before de-
termination was completed in
cases where the file was known
to contain unfavorable infor-
nation"
The new figures brought
charges of 'laoax" from Demo-
Gratis and a staunch defense of
the Administration from lead
ing Republicans.
Rees Calls for Report.
It also prompted Representa-
tive Rees. Republican, of Kan
sas. chairman of the House Civil
Service Committee, to call on
the Civil Service Commission to
file a report by October 90 "set-
ting forth specifically what con-
stitute Subyersive actions which
are the basis for separation of
Federal employees under a secur-
ity program"
Representative Rees praised
the administration for prompt
action" in removing subversives.
But he said he had always felt
that any program dealing with
employe problems should be
spelled out in detail by Con-
gress. The present program was
established by presidential direc-
tive on May %, 1858.
Chairman Mitchell of the
Democratic National Committee
Immediately attacked the report
as a numbers racket" a hoax'
and "a desperate new effort 10
fool the public" in an election
campaign.
Hall Halls Figures.
Chairman Hall of the Repub-
lican National Committee said
the figures puncture Democratic
claims that subversion IN Gov
ernment is a bogus issue" and
indicate that this administra-
ton is cleaning up instead of
covering up."
Mr.. Mitchell and Senator
Johnston, Democrat. of South
Carolina. urged Chairman Carl
son Of the Senate Civil Service
Committee to call hearings and
subject the report to real scru-
tiny" Senator Johnston is
ranking Democrat on the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Hall said the figure vim
dicates Vice President Nixon and
leaves Mr.. Mitchell holding the
bag"
Mr.. Mitchell recently accused
Mr.. Nixon of uttering false
hoods" in making repeated
campaign claims that the Gov
ernment has been removing
Communists, fellow travellers
and security risks" from Federal
payrolls, mot by the hundreds,
but by the thousands" Mr..
Mitchell said Mr.. Nixon was
being unfair in Jumping together
suspected subversives and Sc
curity risks.
Sees Something Funny"
Mr.. Mitchell said in his state
ment yesterday that there is
something funny about this
whole business" He quoted At
torney General Brownell as say
ing last December that all
Federal employees suspected of
Communist tendencies had been
dismissed. And in February
Mr.. Mitchell continued, Mr.
Nixon said the administration
"had finished cleaning up the
mess in Washington il
"Since MesSrS. Brownell anc
Nixon made their speeches." Mr.
Mitchell said, "the number OF
so-called security risks has grown
in the Republican garden from
2,400 to $500. Are we to conclude
from these figures that the Eisen-
hover administration has added
$500 subversives to the Govern
ment payrolls?
"This is low politics. It Is cal
culated deception at the expense
of the good name of Federal EN-.