Faculty Opinion Is Strongly Against GOP in White Case

Faculty experts contacted yesterday condemned almost unanimously the actions of both the administration and Representative Velde in the case of Harry Doxter White.

Mark DeWolf Howe '28, professor of Law, sharply criticized Attorney General Brownell's speech last week attacking former President Truman for retaining White in his administration. Howe termed Brownell's address and Tuesday's subpoena of Truman by Velde "the biggest Republican blunder yet."

"Surely, Brownell should have realized that either Velde or McCarthy would jump at such a chance," Howe said.

"This is the final indication of Republican irresponsibility," he continued. "It is the acceptance by the administration of the political philosophy of McCarthyism." Howe said he felt that Brownell's action was obviously political in purpose. "In the long run the Republicans will lose far more than they can gain by continuing these witch hunts. What kind of support can Eisenhower expect from the Democrats if his administration arouses such bitterness?"

Shift Public Opinion

Robert G. McCloskey, assistant professor of Government, said that Brownell's action "reflects a decision on the part of the attorney General and the administration to keep the Red hunt going at as high a pitch as possible in order to shift public attention away from the recent discontent shown in the by-elections.

"The Republicans have been riding this horse for a long time now, and it's a pretty small horse," he said. "I question whether they can continue riding it for the next year or the next three years."

McCloskey called the subpoenas of Truman, Supreme Court Justice Clark, and Governor Byrnes "incredibly bad taste." There's no doubt that Truman would have come if merely asked to appear instead of being subpoenaed, he added. "It looks as if Velde sent the subpoenaed only to get in his bid for head-lines ahead of McCarthy's."

Basic Weakness in Government

Daniel S. Cheever '39, assistant professor of Government, said "the whole incident of the subpoena is a glaring example of a basic weakness in the U.S. system of government. Committees, not Congress as a whole, are entrusted with the power of deciding who will be called to account for actions. A man may be called before six or so committee.