The Pittsburgh Press (September 25, 1944)
House defied in election quiz
Washington (UP) –
The Committee for Constitutional Government, founded by Rochester publisher Frank Gannett, today defied authority of a Congressional committee to subpoena a list of its contributors and a spokesman said the organization would leave the matter for courts to decide.
E. A. Rumely, executive secretary of the Committee for Constitutional Government, told the House Committee on Campaign Expenditures that subpoenaing its financial records “is beyond the power of this Congressional committee” because the organization spent no money in support of or opposition to any political candidate or party.
Yielding to the committee subpoena, he said, would set a precedent “for the misuse of the power of Congress to attack and smear any citizen or group of citizens who organize to support a philosophy of government or take a position on broad public measures of any kind, but without participating in elections.”
Committee Chairman Clinton P. Anderson (D-NM) refused immediate comment on what his next step would be.