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fo . | March 29, 1950 7 7 . ra . ‘, . . a - ~ e “ a . * . rife se oft d : tt o nee ee ene eek eee Aer heirs TNS ag nee a Attention: Mr, Ladd i Rex Congressional, Reaction Relative To The Position o the FBI The Present-Controver Over The Lharge of Comm ommunism In The State Dept. Yesterday an acquaintance of mine ‘ae man from Massachusetts stopped to see me enroute Nome Irom a vacation in Florida and asked me to have lunch with him. The luncheon took place at th ! Capitol and present were Congressmen Philip Je Philbin and Harold’Donohue, both Democrats from Massachussetts, By chance Congress-woman Edith Nourse Réeers joined the group. As you know, she is a Republicen from Massachusetts. On being introduced to me by Congressman Philbin she Immediately ! posed the question: "What is going on in the State Denartment?" and "What hes | the FBI to say to clear up the matter?" I replied that Mr. Hoover had spoken for the Bureau and I had nothing to add, She went on rapidly, somewhat loosely . | land incoherently to infer that what had been said vas not shel satiofying, hinting that possibly Communist activities in the State Department were not being brought out into the open as they deserved te be, She then turned quickly and said to me (I was sitting beside her on the right) "The FBI is doing a splendid ] job." JI thanked her for this "gracious" comment and added that the Director's position in this and other matters was sound, Congressmen Philbin briskly. injected the statement at this point that "His position and conduct are always sound and commendable and he has the full support and confidence of the people," Congressman Donohue nodded his assent and said something about the need for ; keeping Communists out of the government service, This quick, spontaneous exchange ° of comments occupied only a minute or so following which J changed the subject and -_t— .L —s nothing further was said about it during the remainder of the Luncheon, After the luncheon was over Congressman Philbin, whom I know very well, called me aside and said: "I believe you may want to know that a number of —__. Congressmen seem to be getting the impression that there may be some truth to ‘ the charges directed against the State Dep-rtment but that the Administration is putting strong pressure on Mr. Hoover to fwhite wash’ the charges against the State Department and that the FBI is Being forced to comply in this matter, * De | ---{ }Congresaman Philbin (who incidentally has been, anti-New Deal Democrat ) went on ‘ ike say that he did not share this impression; that he realized that the FSI could if not disclose its files and would not take political sides in the controversy.* This is for your informations +++ af. a2 7G 3S% o Mo . RECORDED “1 are . eee ee DEXtD - iss ~ ¢ rere