Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-01
Matusow Invokes
Fifth Amendment
For First Time
by [. Edscr Primo

1891 bNs
by |. Edgar Prime
Turnabout witness Harvey M.
Matusow today took refuge in
the Fifth Amendment for tie
1irst time.
Testifying before the Senate
Internal Security subcommittee,
the 2S-year-old New Yorker de-
clined to answer questions con-
corning his statements under
oath to the Texas Industrial
Commission in December, 1858.
The commission at that time
was investigating alleged Com
munist domination OF certain
labor unions.
Matusow said that If the Sen
ators would give him q couple
Of hours to read the 222-page
transcript Of his testimony he
probably" would answer any
questions they might ask him
about it.
But he said he knew without
consulting counsel that If he
answered any question at all
even whether he had given true
statements as to his name and
address-he thereby would waive
all constitutional rights to de-
cline to answer other questions.
Agreement Reached.
Later, Matusow agreed to an
swer committee questions on sub
jeets covered by his Texas testi-
mony on condition that no ref
efence would be made to this
testimony. The committee then
proceeded on that basis.
The witness took the stand to-
day with scarcely q handful Of
spectators seated in the huge
Senate Caucus room.
Earlier. Matusow said the Com
munist Party is mot nearly as
dangerous as the activities of
certain congressional commit
tees
Senator Daniel, Democrat, of
Texas, acting chairman, asked
Matusow whether the Communist
Party was dangerous to the
United States. After some
thought, the witness replied,
frankly. no." although he con-
coded there are some dangers
In communism.
Matusow was questioned close
ly on whether he believes his
publishers, Angus Cameron and
Albert Z. Calm, still are Com
munists.
Il held that opinion until I
got to know them" Matusow
said. Earlier in the hearing it
was brought out that he first met
the publishers last fall.
Miss Bentley to Testify.
At one point after the commit !
tee had delved into his feelings
about certain individuals, Matu-
sow replied: There are more
beautiful things in the world to
discuss than membership in the
Communist Party"
Elizabeth Bentley, a frequent
Government witness in Commu-
mist cases and q former member
OF q Soviet spy apparatus, will
be called to testify shortly, Chair,
man Eastland, announced last
night.
Matusow yesterday again
charged that Miss Bentley had
given false testimony.
Senator Eastland also limited
that the subcommittee might
call Methodist Bishop G. Brom-
ley Oman Of Washington, al
though he ducked direct ques-
tons on the matter.
Matusow testified for three
hours yesterday in a stormy
session during which he was
warned, between shouting and
gavel banging, that he was
skirting with perjury and con-
tempt charges.
Helped Mrs. Bentley.
The self-confessed "habitual
and perpetual liar" who now
says he is telling the truth, said
he helped the former wife of
Representative Alvin M. Bent
ley. Republican. Of Michigan, to
slip out Of the country when
Senate investigators sought to
subpoena her in 1852.
Matusow. who later twice
married and twice divorced Mrs.
Bentley, asserted that the "ar-
rangements were made by J. B.
Matthews to transport her to
Nassau" in the British West In
dies when the Senate Elections
subcommittee wanted her to tes-
tify in its investigation Of the
financial affairs Of Senator Nc,
Carthy.
DR.. Matthews was employed
for a short time by Senator Nc
earthly rs q committee aide. But
the Wisconsin Republican quick
ly released him when contro-
versy developed about DR.. Mat
thews' written comments on
communism and the Protestant
clergy.