The Pittsburgh Press (August 3, 1944)
‘Divorce PAC, government,’ Martin Dies demands
Congressman threatens legislation, charges CIO group violating Hatch Act
Washington (UP) –
Rep. Martin Dies (D-TX) said today that he plans to sponsor legislation “divorcing the CIO Political Action Committee from the government” unless Attorney General Francis Biddle begins prosecution within 30 days against PAC and federal officials whom Dies has accused of Hatch Act violations.
The chairman of the House Committee on Un-American Activities said his proposed bill would make it a penitentiary offense for any person on the federal payroll to engage in political activity on behalf of the CIO or similar organizations.
He reiterated his demand that Mr. Biddle investigate and prosecute officials of the PAC and 72 government employees, including 15 who resigned to accept PAC jobs, for alleged political activity outlawed by the Hatch “Clean Politics” Act.
Denouncing the CIO committee as a “racket,” he charged that former government workers “obtain all the information they need” while on the federal payroll, then quit “and go to work for the PAC.”
‘Lame ducks’ named for Dies probe
Washington (UP) –
Two “lame duck” Congressmen, defeated in primaries where they were opposed by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, were named today to a special three-man Dies Subcommittee to investigate CIO political activities.
The subcommittee will include Reps. Joe Starnes (D-AL) and John M. Costello (D-CA), both of whom were opposed by the CIO in their recent unsuccessful races for renomination.