Major Jewish Groups Testify of Fair Inquiry Procedures

Representatives of the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Congress testified today before a House Rules Committee subcommittee against unfair procedures of legislative investigating committees.

Col. Harold Riegelman, speaking for the American Jewish Committee and the ADL, proposed a seven-point program of uniform rules of fair conduct for such committees to prevent “the enduring injury of innocent people.” For the American Jewish Congress, Will Maslow, its general counsel, proposed a 14-page model bill designed to regulate the procedures of Congressional investigating committees which, according to Mr. Maslow, are today operating with few, if any, legal restraints and which are the “one notorious exception to the principle that ours is a government of laws, not men.”

Col. Riegelman’s rules would provide that: the scope of a Congressional investigating committee be clearly defined and the body stay within these limits; the full committee should exercise control over use of testimony taken in executive seassion; a witness shall have the right to submit a statement, question other witnesses who have impugned his character or behavior and to introduce testimony in his own behalf.

Also, such witnesses shall have the right of counsel and the rights and duties of such counsel should be defined; stenographic records of testimony shall be made available to persons affected by the testimony; no motion pictures, television or radio broadcasting shall be permitted during a witness’ testimony; and individual guilt or innocence should not be a concern of a Congressional investigating committee–the matter should be left to the Department of Justice, Grand Juries and the courts–nor should a committee exert pressure on a private employer to “purge” an employee because the committee or any of its members react unfavorably to his testimony.

The bill suggested by Mr. Maslow would prevent any person or organization charged with misconduct from being held up to public scorn until that person or individual shall have been heard in executive session by the Congressional investigating committee. It also provides: an opportunity for accused persons to testify publicly as soon as possible after being accused and under circumstances as public as those under which the accusation was made; that a witness shall be entitled to counsel who may advise him, object to procedures violating his rights, examine his client or cross-examine a witness testifying against his client.

The bill would also prevent a committee from stigmatizing a person or committee until an investigation has been completed and a report issued on it; would ban one-man investigating subcommittees; would provide that private testimony shall be kept private until a hearing is held or a public report is made; and, would enable committees to invoke the assistance of the Federal courts in compelling testimony not privileged by law.