The question of the accuracy of the document ## evidence by which Representative Frank Hook sought to link Chairman Martin Di## the House Committee investigating un-American Activities to Fascist groups went to the Rules Committee for settlement late last night. The action was taken at the close of the session when Representative Keefe objected to Hook’s withdrawal of the charges from the Congressional Record on the grounds that it was done “with mental reservations.”
Representatives Delaney, Clark and Fish were named to the sub-committee to pass on the question. They will probably not meet on the issue until Monday.
The action will result in a thorough airing of the background of the documentary evidence on which Hook based his blast at Dies from the floor of the House earlier in the week. Hook indicated he would defend his action and the portion of his charges linking Dies with the Christian Front, while Keefe declared he would prove the documents to be part of a conspiracy to defame Dies and discredit the committee.
Representative Marcantonio added his voice to the conflict when he demanded the rules group also investigate charges in the New York Sun that the Dies Committee had attempted to inspire the circulation of false evidence in order to discredit critics of the committee. He emphasized, however, that the charges were made by the Sun, “pro-Dies newspaper,” and not by himself.
Meanwhile, a new element was added to the confusion already surrounding the question of how energetically the Dies committee prosecuted its investigation of Fascist activities with the report that Rhea Whitley, committee counsel, was refuse reappointment because certain committee members found fault with his methods of investigating such activities. The reports became current on Capitol Hill after it was revealed in the House debate yesterday for the first time that Whitley was no longer committee counsel. Source of the report was several Congressmen close to committee affairs. Committee aides indignantly denied the report and produced a letter of resignation which they said Whitley had forwarded to Chairman Dies Jan. 18. The letter stated that the counsel was resigning because he could no longer neglect his law practice.
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