The Dies committee will hold a special meeting next week to vote on whether to summon Charles E. Coughlin, the “radio priest,” as a witness.
It appeared certain that a majority of the committee would vote against summoning Coughlin on the grounds that the only effect would be to provide him with a new and vociferous sounding board. Chairman Dies himself holds this view and other members also said they did not approve of calling Coughlin.
Rep. Noah Mason said that while he did not agree with Coughlin on public matters, still it did not appear that he was directly connected with matters within the scope of the committee’s investigation. Rep. John Dempsey said he opposed calling Coughlin because he did not want to allow the committee to be used as a sounding board for the preaching of class, racial or religious hatred.
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