Members of Congress Take State Dept. to Task over J. T. A. Case

Six members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation took the State Department to task over the barring of Milton Friedman, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency’s Washington correspondent, from a Department briefing.

Senator Thomas J. Dodd and Representatives Emilio Q. Daddario, William L. St. Onge, Robert N. Giaimo, Abner W. Sibal and John S. Monagan took immediate action after the Connecticut Jewish Ledger had alerted the state’s delegation in the nation’s capital to the allegedly discriminatory act. All are Democrats, except Mr. Sibal, who is the lone Republican member of the state’s delegation.

The Ledger, in messages to the lawmakers, had called the action of Robert C. Strong, director of the State Department’s Office on Near Eastern Affairs, “a serious infringement on the freedom of the press in the United States and an affront to the dignity of the Connecticut Jewish community.” The solons also were asked to make these feelings known to the State Department and to their fellow legislators.

Senator Dodd told the Connecticut Jewish Ledger: “I believe this action is indefensible and have so informed the State Department. In denying admission to the JTA reporter, the State Department office not only violated freedom of the press, but also affronted and insulted the Jewish community in America, which gets much of its news through the services of the JTA.”

Congressman St. Onge called the incident a “thoughtless action on the part of Mr. Strong and an affront to the entire American press.” He added: “The State Department owes an explanation to the American public for an act of discrimination against the American Jewish community by one of its top officials.”

Rep. Sibal disclosed that he has written Secretary of State Dean Rusk to protest the action. In the letter the Congressman asked Mr. Rusk for a summary report of this matter. “If these reports are true,” he wrote, “I strongly urge you to issue such directives as would prevent their recurrence.”

Congressman Monagan told the Ledger that he has “a deep interest in this matter,” and has telephoned the State Department for a full report. “I am now awaiting this report and will look into the matter completely,” he said.

Representative Giaimo reported to the Ledger: “I have discussed this matter with the State Department and have been assured that the unfortunate incident involving Mr. Friedman was completely inadvertent and an accident which the State Department regrets. I have been assured that both Mr. Friedman and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency will be given every consideration when future briefings on subjects of interest to them are held.”

Congressman Daddario expressed great concern over the incident. He disclosed that he has written to the State Department requesting a full “explanation of these actions.”