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Thorkelson Linked with Silver Shirts During Congress Debate

October 29, 1939
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Representative Jacob Thorkelson of Montana was called “the white-haired boy of a subversive organization” — later identified as the Silver Shirts — during an exchange on the House floor.

The charge was made by Representative Robert G. Allen as Thorkelson tried for the third time to insert in the Congressional Record the names of hundreds of Government workers who are members of the American League for Peace and Democracy. During the debate Thorkelson, who is said to be a friend of William Dudley Pelley, Silver Shirt leader, was asked by Representative Luther Patrick why he did not denounce “the Silver Shirts and the Pelleyites like you do this league?” Thorkelson did not answer.

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