Fish Fry

Lots of people have said sharp things about the Dies Committee on Un-American Activities. Few have been more vitriolic than goat-bearded William Dudley Pelley, leader of The Silvershirt Legion of America. Last June, one of the Committee's investigators, Robert B. Barker, investigated his nation-saving activities and reported back that Pelley was just the Committee's dish. With its sizzling frying pan all ready for Pelley, the Committee tossed out a line and hook to catch him. But Mr. Pelley dived for deeper water, and disappeared.

As other fish were caught and dropped into the pan to splutter, the Committee's appetite for Mr. Pelley waned. Then, three weeks ago, Representative Frank Hook of Michigan inserted into the Congressional Record certain letters which seemed to show that Chairman Martin Dies was friendly to the Silvershirts. Alleged author of the letters: Leader Pelley. Congressman Hook, opposed to continuation of the Dies Committee, waved this evidence under the nose of Congress. Almost immediately the let ters were branded as fake. David Mayne, Pelley agent in Washington, admitted forging them. Thereupon Mr. Hook withdrew his charges, grudgingly apologized. The affair reminded everybody of the question: Where was William Pelley? Particularly, Committeeman Jerry Voorhis wanted to know. He had long been anxious to question Pelley. Presto! Mr. Pelley leaped into view, right in the Committee's midst.

How come? "None of those letters were written by me. composed by me, or signed by me," declared he, wagging his goatee, smiling with his teeth. "I am giving Martin Dies an absolutely clean bill of health." That gave the Committee something to think about. Flustered, they postponed their questioning until next day. Then, having stoked the fire and readied the frying pan, in they popped Mr. Pelley. But the hotter the fire, the more Mr. Pelley seemed to enjoy it.

Quizzed on his fascistic Silvershirts, he boasted that his Legion had 25,000 members. Among his supporters he named John Richard Brinkley of Del Rio, Tex., goateed doctor who has made a fortune selling goat glands to impotent but hopeful men. Doc Brinkley lent him $5,000, said Mr. Pelley. His Legion, founded in 1933, "began propagandizing against the same things that this [the Dies] committee set out to expose," he confided smoothly, while the Committee glared and squirmed.

Shushing irate young Congressman Voorhis, Acting Chairman Joe Starnes tried to pin the witness down. Said he: "You spoke approvingly of Hitler and his manner of control in Germany. Does your organization foster a program similar to that followed in Germany?"

"I feel exactly as the Nazi Party in Germany felt regarding the Jewish element in our country. . , ."

"Are you anti-Semitic?"

"I call myself very much so," replied Mr. Pelley. "I say very freely that I am anti-Semitic."

"If the Silvershirts had achieved their aim would you have become the leader of the Government?"

"Probably."

"And would you then have put into effect Hitler's policy towards the Jews?"

"I probably would, sir," answered Mr. Pelley.

"If the Dies Committee continues its investigation then would the Silvershirts fold up?" demanded Representative Thomas of New Jersey.

"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Pelley, "and with my blessing . . . you've gone ahead and done a good job. If the Dies Committee goes ahead my work is done."

Acting Chairman Starnes, banging his gavel, choked: "We don't want this record cluttered up either with praise or condemnation." finally released the Silvershirt leader with the curt statement: "The Committee is through with you."

Promptly a Washington, D. C. police sergeant arrested Mr. Pelley. Convicted in 1935 for transgressing North Carolina's "blue sky" security law, he was charged with violating his parole. After weekending in the clink, Mr. Pelley was released under a $2,500 bond, determined to fight extradition. The Dies Committee, wiping its collective brow, was glad to hear that Mr. Pelley had been removed.

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