The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1961-04-20
Fighting Communism

the John Birch Society an organization
III the national limelight because of it's
announced intention of impeaching United
States Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl
Warren.
1t is reported to be a semi-secret
society. organized on a nationwide
basis with the avowed purpose of
fighting Communism
The Blue Book of the Birch
Society says it is ga monolithic body
which will operate under completely
authoritative levels at all times" 1t
regards the present republican form
of government in the United States
as being inefficient in combating
Communism and regards democracy,
in government or organization, "as a
deceptive phrase, a weapon of dema-
gOguery, and a perennial fraud"
The Attorney General of the United
States about ten days ago responded to
questions about the society by saying he
thought it more humorous than any
thing else and that it probably did more
harm than good"
In Mississippi last week the or
ganiZatiOn was again SpOtlighted
when William T.. Clark, a Jackson
businessman described as head of the
John Birch Society of Jackson, spear
headed a campaign to GUST the Rev.
Edward Fl. Harrison as rector of st.
Andrews Episcopal Church, because
bi-racial meetings had been held at
the church.
The same week leaders of the Birch
Society convened in Chicago for a three
day meeting held to seek unity among
the nations right wing political groups.
Kent Courtney, chairman of the New
Orleans Birch Society Chapter, who spon-
sored the Chicago meeting of about 125
persons, said his ultimate aim is the
establishment Of a third political party
to encourage stronger conservative repre-
sentation in government.
"All we want to do" Courtney was
reported to have said, sis give the people
a clear choice between conservatism and
socialism,"
A spokesman for the Justice Depart
ment said the John Birch Society's activi-
ties had become a matter of concern"
to the department.
Meanwhile criticism of the John Birch
Society continues to mount in Congress
with calls for an investigation of the
Society by the House Committee on I'm
American Activities, the Senate Internal
Security subcommittee and the Senate
Government Operations Committee.
Present indications are there may be
an investigation by one or more of these
government watchdog committees.
Presently this much is known about
the highly controversial group:
The founder of the John Birch Society
is Robert WEIGH, 81, wealthy retired candy
manufacturer Of Belmont, Massachusetts,
a native of Chowan County, North Caro-
lima. He was educated at the University
of North Carolina, attended the u. S.
Naval Academy for two years and Har-
ward Law School for two years.
The Society, founded in 1858, was
named after John Birch, a Baptist mis-
sionary killed by the Communists in China
ten days after the close of World War II.
Welch sends out regular monthly
bulletins to Society members and the
monthly American Opinion" at $500 per
year. Members get the bulletins and a
copy of the "Blue Book" a 1872 page loose
leaf "bible' of the Society after they
have paid their dues which are 81 900 for
a life membership; $24.00 a year for men
and $500 per year for women.
Welch denies the Society is a secret
one yet declines to disclose the names of