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Editorial
June 4, 1947
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
The editorial lambasts the House Un-American Activities Committee's subcommittee, comprising Reps. McDowell, Vail, and Wood, for a mere 10-minute probe into fascism, dismissing hate groups as insignificant and revealing a dangerous complacency that benefits subversives.
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Full Text
Too Complacent
Some months ago the House Un-American Activities Committee, having investigated communism for years, decided to look around for any Fascist danger in this country. It appointed a subcommittee made up of Reps. John McDowell of Pennsylvania, Richard Vail of Illinois, and John Wood of Georgia.
During those months, according to Mr. Vail, the subcommittee's investigation of fascism consisted of one meeting. The meeting lasted 10 minutes. As a result of this exhaustive study the group has now assured the country that there is no Fascist danger in any American "hate" organization or "hate" attitude. Some of the reasons are interesting.
Said Mr. McDowell, "There are groups here that hate Catholics and hate Jews and hate one thing and another. But as far as I can find, there is no evidence that they're dangerous. The only danger is if they join together, and you need money for that."
Mr. Vail said, of Columbians, that "all these movements are relatively insignificant. They are of no consequence at all and are fluttering movements that develop in a country of this size."
He also said that it is the Communists who are "attempting to build up the Fascist issue," and further added that "I wouldn't know a Fascist if I had one by the tail."
When they dismiss the whole subject after an "investigation" consisting of one 10-minute meeting these congressmen reveal a complacency-- a senseless, anesthetized complacency -- which plays into the hands of any subversive element.
Some months ago the House Un-American Activities Committee, having investigated communism for years, decided to look around for any Fascist danger in this country. It appointed a subcommittee made up of Reps. John McDowell of Pennsylvania, Richard Vail of Illinois, and John Wood of Georgia.
During those months, according to Mr. Vail, the subcommittee's investigation of fascism consisted of one meeting. The meeting lasted 10 minutes. As a result of this exhaustive study the group has now assured the country that there is no Fascist danger in any American "hate" organization or "hate" attitude. Some of the reasons are interesting.
Said Mr. McDowell, "There are groups here that hate Catholics and hate Jews and hate one thing and another. But as far as I can find, there is no evidence that they're dangerous. The only danger is if they join together, and you need money for that."
Mr. Vail said, of Columbians, that "all these movements are relatively insignificant. They are of no consequence at all and are fluttering movements that develop in a country of this size."
He also said that it is the Communists who are "attempting to build up the Fascist issue," and further added that "I wouldn't know a Fascist if I had one by the tail."
When they dismiss the whole subject after an "investigation" consisting of one 10-minute meeting these congressmen reveal a complacency-- a senseless, anesthetized complacency -- which plays into the hands of any subversive element.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Fascist Danger
Huac Investigation
Congressional Complacency
Hate Groups
Subversive Elements
What entities or persons were involved?
House Un American Activities Committee
Rep. John Mcdowell
Rep. Richard Vail
Rep. John Wood
Columbians
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Huac Subcommittee's Investigation Into Fascism
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Congressional Complacency
Key Figures
House Un American Activities Committee
Rep. John Mcdowell
Rep. Richard Vail
Rep. John Wood
Columbians
Key Arguments
Subcommittee's Investigation Consisted Of Only One 10 Minute Meeting
No Evidence Of Dangerous Fascist Organizations Or Hate Attitudes
Hate Groups Exist But Are Not Dangerous Unless They Unite And Gain Funding
Such Movements Are Insignificant And Fluttering
Communists Are Building Up The Fascist Issue
Complacency Plays Into The Hands Of Subversive Elements