U.S. Moves to Curb ‘fifth Column’ Here

The drive against the “fifth column” in America went forward on three fronts today, with Attorney General Robert H. Jackson announcing plans for a centralized record on aliens, the Justice Department warning citizens not to join organizations before investigating them and the Dies committee asking a $100,000 appropriation to expand its activities.

The request for the Dies committee appropriation was embodied in a resolution introduced into the House by the committee. At the same time a committee spokesman said the public inquiry into the affairs of the Christian Front and Christian Mobilizer had been delayed pending a verdict in the trial of the 14 alleged conspirators in New York.

“Fifth column” activities were discussed in a statement issued by Attorney General Jackson, which follows:

“The President anticipated and prepared to meet ‘fifth column’ activities in the United States many months ago. It was obvious that these activities could not be dealt with on a local or voluntary organization basis and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was enlarged and the President asked law enforcement agencies everywhere to cooperate with the bureau.

“It is obvious that the Department of Justice cannot should not reveal its information or the nature of the measures it has taken or is taking, or the precautions it has used or is prepared to use against ‘fifth column’ activities.

“There need be no doubt, however, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has capably, zealously and effectively carried out its task and will continue to do so. If need appears the bureau will be enlarged to meet it.

“While ‘fifth column’ activities cannot be dealt with on a local or voluntary organization basis, citizens may be helpful to the Government. They may aid by reporting to the F.B.I. acts, threats or evidence of sabotage, espionage or other disloyal activities.

“Citizens will also help if they refrain from joining any organization until they know, first, the source of its promotional funds; secondly, who their associates in the organization and who its backers are, and, thirdly, what becomes of their dues or contributions. Well meaning persons may easily be duped into serving or helping finance activities which they would not approve and which would embarrass them, and they may find themselves responsible legally or morally for the activities of their associates.

“Lastly, the greatest help to the Government that citizens can render is to keep cool and not become frightened. Sensational statements as to the ‘fifth column’ should be received with suspicion. As in most matters, persons with real information and responsibility measure their words. Sensational statements and their makers should be discounted.”

The plan for a centralized alien identification bureau was broached in another statement by Jackson, regarding the proposed shifting of the Immigration and Naturalization Service from the Labor to the Justice Department.

“Only the most general plans for handling the Immigration and Naturalization Service in this department would be made until the transfer becomes effective,” the statement said. “It is not planned, however, that the Immigration and Naturalization Service will be under, nor will it be mingled with or supersede, any existing division or bureau in the department. It will be maintained as a unit with an administrative status similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Prisons and the Bureau of War Risk Litigation.

“The task of integrating the Immigration and Naturalization Service with the existing work and organization of the department has been assigned to Solicitor General Biddle, under whom, at least during the organization period, it will function.

“In coordinating the functions of these services with the existing function of the Department of Justice, it will be possible to provide for an adequate current and centralized record of the identification and whereabouts of non-citizens, which, of course, can effectively be done only on a nationwide basis.

“This will unify the present registration of aliens, which is now kept in 22 separate districts and relates only to the time and port of arrival. Every precaution will be taken to observe both the letter and the spirit of the President’s message, which assures proper respect for the civil rights of non-citizens.”