Charge that rifles were taken from the Seventy-first Regiment Armory at Park avenue and Thirty-fourth street for use in drills of the Stahlhelm were turned over to army investigators at the Armory Friday night. The accusations were made in Washington Thursday before the Congressional committee investigating Nazi activities.
Investigating officers, appointed by Col. Walter A. De Lamater, commanding officer of the regiment, are Lieut-Col. Ames T. Brow, Major Frank P. Thornton and Major Grant Layng.
Testimony submitted in Washington before the Congressional committee on Thursday by Frank Mutchinski charged that National Guard rifles were taken to Nazi military meetings. A letter written by Sergeant Gottlieb Haas of Company E, Seventy-first Regiment of the New York National Guard inviting Steel Heimet members to join the organization, was also introduced.
Commenting on the situation, Col. De Lamater said, “The regiment will not stand for its members taking part in foreign with organizations loyal to a foreign power.”
At the conclusion of the investigation the board will present its report to Col. De Lamater, who will then decide what action to take.
At regiment headquarters Sergeant Haas was described as a “Very good soldier” by his fellow officers.
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