Page:Special Committee on Un-American Activities, Investigation of Nazi Propaganda Activities and Investigation of Certain Other Propaganda Activities 3.djvu/19

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INVESTIGATION OF NAZI AND OTHER PROPAGANDA
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important. That was supposed to be a liaison corporation, which would keep liaison with local chapters throughout the country. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Clark knew all about the purposes for which this money was to be used? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Mr. Clark knew nothing whatsoever about this. except he agreed to give me $100,000 to try to work against inflation; and 1 reported to him from time to time as to the progress that thought was being made and the results that were being accomplished, but no details. The CHAIRMAN. Have you given Mr. Clark an accounting as to how this money was spent? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I have not, sir. The CHAIRMAN. He drew, himself, from his own personal account large sums of money toward this approximately $100,000, did he not? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Ile drew altogether from his personal account about $50,000. The CHAIRMAN. He drew from his custody account? Mr. CHRISTMAS. He drew from his custody account. The CHAIRMAN. Or that was his act, because you were authorized to do so? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. He knew what you were doing? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I told him after I had drawn it that I had drawn it. The CHAIRMAN. Can you give the committee any evidence as to how any of that $64,000 was spent other than the general statement you have just made? Mr. CHRISTMAS. None other than the general statement I have just made. The CHAIRMAN. You were interested in this Committee for Sound Currency and a Sound Dollar and its make-up? Mr. CHRISTMAS. No. The CHAIRMAN. You were interested to know who comprised it, were you not? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I was more interested- The CHAIRMAN. My question was, "Were you interested to know who comprised it? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Not the parent organization. The CHAIRMAN. Do you know who did comprise it? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I do not. The CHAIRMAN. Have you brought with you photostatic copies of various letters dealing with this incorporation? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I have brought a report which Mr. MacGuire gave to me, which I think includes a lot of information about the formation of the committee. The CHAIRMAN. The committee on sound currency and a sound dollar kept an accurate statement of its receipts and expenditures- is that true-as shown by this audit? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Mr. MacGuire told me he had a public auditor, and he gave me a final audit report. The CHAIRMAN. He made a statement as to the expenditures on his trip to Europe, did he not? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes; he did. The CHAIRMAN. He has never submitted as statement in reference to the $64,000? INVESTIGATION OF NAZI AND OTHER PROPAGANDA 145 Mr. CHRISTMAS. No. I told him he did not need to. The CHAIRMAN. I did not ask you that. He never has submitted a statement about the $64,000, has he? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Nothing, other than his oral explanation, as I have stated before. The CHAIRMAN. Other than that it was used for entertainment and traveling expenses? Mr. CHRISTMAS. Yes; and as I said, from time to time he would come back from a trip and report that he had spent so much and offer to go more into detail with me. The CHAIRMAN. Did you know about Mr. MacGuire's or Mr. Doyle's visit to General Butler? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I do not know about Mr. Doyle. Mr. MacGuire told me he had visited General Butler on several occasions. The CHAIRMAN. Did you know about the first visit? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I believe he told me about all of his visits. The CHAIRMAN. Did he tell you what the purpose of the first visit was? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I cannot remember whether it was on the first visit or at a subsequent date, someone had the idea it might be a good thing to try and get General Butler to make a speech to the conven- tion in favor of sound currency. The CHAIRMAN. Who made that suggestion? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I think it was Mr. MacGuire's in the first in- stance. I am not sure. The CHAIRMAN. Well, now, was there any talk as to General Butler running as national commander for the American Legion? Mr. CHRISTMAS. No. The CHAIRMAN. What did he say about this speech on sound currency, as you put it? Mr. CHRISTMAS. You mean Mr. MacGuire? The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Mr. CHRISTMAS. Ile said he thought that General Butler was quite public character, and he said he thought if some one of that type could be induced to make a speech it would carry considerable weight. The CHAIRMAN. You were impressed with that idea? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I was. The CHAIRMAN. There is no question but what he went down there and approached General Butler in connection with carrying out the purpose of the plan that you had in mind and which was financed by Robert Sterling Clark? Mr. CHRISTMAS. There is no question in my mind but that he did approach General Butler on the question of a speech in favor of sound currency. The CHAIRMAN. You knew, of course, that Butler would not make the speech; you got the report later he would not make the speech? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I did, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Was there some talk about Butler going out there as a delegate? Mr. CHRISTMAS. I think I was told that he could only make a speech if he were a delegate or by special invitation of some governing body.