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~S = ~ C O PY “On, inappropriatencss and the expense (the article was lengthy). He directed me not to issue it as a document, but to obtain a few copies of the Record © and circulate them for information. That was done. At that stage I was beginning to have doubts of the nature of the pro-Czech bias -—- as it pro-Czech or pro-Seviet, particularly since the reports from our Embassy were to the effect that Czechoslovakia was over the hump and that he might be building up Czech industry for Russia. All the information coming into the Department during that period was certainly opposed to the position taken by the person under consideration, and policy in line with the reports was established by the Secretary shortly thereafter. Toward the end of June I attended a meting of the Russian Committee under ir, "eeecowmm, secretary of the Committee, at which the individual under consideration was present. After the meting, which was on a highly secret matter, M0@@imeme commented that he considered the individual dangerously pro-Soviet and that he intended to discuss the question of his further attendance with the Chairman of the Russian Committee. I do not know what subsequently transpired, since I went on detail to UIVA early in July. To summarize: I was so strongly convinced initially of pro-Czech bias that I assumed the individual was of Czech origin, but the matters involved were such that Sovict interests were also served. The weight of opinion and information from the Snbassy during the period did notaffect his judgment or approach, although it directly preceded and must have entered into the sharp policy decision by the Secretary. I believe I was totally unaffected by the Russian origin of the individual since that fact plus his previous employment led ms to assume that he would have undergone a searching invest- igation and must have been cleared. Itwas considerably later, when all connection with the Committee and the individual had been terminated, that I recommended an investigation. The determinigg factor was the realization, from facts emerging in other cases, that the asswaptian of thorough investigation in view of background was not necessarily valid. I still hesitated since I am totally opposed to "red-smearing" and other forms of harrassment. I was questioned about another individual both by the Department security officera and by FBI agents and was impressed by their ability and by their sincerity in trying to search out the truth. With that agssurame of a thorough investigation and fair hearing for the individual, I felt that I dared not refrain any longer fron Yecoumending an investigations This is the only instmce in over six years in the Department when I have felt that I had to take such action. he nl,