Legislative hearings

Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson urged the House Military Affairs Committee to speed action on a bill to establish a nine-man commission to control domestic research in the development of atomic energy. Atomic energy, Patterson declared, is too big for any one government agency to handle, and the War Department wants to be relieved of its responsibility. Photo shows left to right, Rep. Andrew J. May (D-KY) Chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, and Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of CIO President Philip Murray as he testified before the Senate Labor Committee. Mr. Murray indicated that Congress would shove the nation towards economic "catastrophe" if it attempted to weaken unions instead of business monopolies. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of Philip Murray, President of the CIO, as he appeared before the House Military Affairs Committee to answer questions about war production shortages. He indicated that the shortages are due to upsurges in military requirements and mistakes of government procurement agencies, and that three-fourths of all manpower shortage figures and complaints would be eliminated if both unions and companies were required to certify manpower shortage conditions. He was testifying that no "work or fight" legislation was necessary. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of Senator Kenneth McKellar (TN), speaking before the Senate Agriculture Committee, who said that he would like to confirm every man President Roosevelt nominated and he could not vote to make "totally unfit" Aubrey Williams Rural Electrification Administration Administrator. From: Beth Gore.

Thomas B. McCabe told the Senate Banking Committee that although "there doubtless have been mistakes" he thought his war surplus property disposal agency did the best possible job. The Philadelphia banker answered criticisms of his administration as foreign liquidation commissioner in a 24-page statement as the committee resumed hearings on his nomination as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. He is pictured here with Senator Charles W. Tobey, (R), NH, who accused McCabe and a Senate investigator last week with making "very poor bargains" as liquidation commissioner. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of Duncan Lee, China-born Rhodes Scholar and former Lt. Colonel in the O.S.S., appearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He is answering charges made by Elizabeth Bentley, admitting he knew Ms. Bentley but denied that he knew of her connection with the Communist Party. Unlike several of his predecessors on the witness stand, Lee answered the questions put to him but categorically denied all charges against him. From: Beth Gore.

President Eric Johnston of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, urging Congress to make sure that the bulk of the government's housing activities are returned to their pre-war status under the Federal Loan Agency at the end of the war. Johnson outlined the views of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on Postwar Governmental Housing Activities before a Senate subcommittee on postwar housing. From: Beth Gore.

Former Undersecretary of State Joseph C. Grew as he was sworn in for testimony at the Pearl Harbor investigation. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of Acting Secretary of State Joseph C. Grew appearing before the House Postwar Military Policy Committee. Grew said he believed strongly that American young should have military training in time of peace. He said his view was based on 40 years of experience in foreign service, including 10 years in Germany and 10 years in Japan before World War II. From: Beth Gore.

Dillon S. Myer, Federal Public Housing Authority Commissioner, shown before the House subcommittee investigating Co-ops. From: Beth Gore.