Committee Seeks Improved Name

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31907, 7 February 1969, Page 12

Committee Seeks Improved Name

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter) WASHINGTON. The House of Representatives’ UnAmerican Activities Committee, notorious for its earlier investigations of alleged Communist activity in the United States, has launched a campaign to improve its image.

In its 29-year history, the panel has been the target of moderate and liberal political factions who claimed the committee abused witnesses who appeared before it and failed to produce any legislation.

In spite of many suits challenging whether the committee is constitutional, the courts have consistently upheld its authority to investigate alleged subversive activity in the United States. The committee’s new chairman, a Democratic congressman, Mr Richard (chord of Missouri, has asked that its name be changed to the Committee on Internal Security He said the name change would eliminate confusion about what is Un-American and relieve the committee of charges that it was interested in investigating political thought or ideas. “I am not interested in witch hunting or pillorying anyone for the unorthodox views they may have,” Mr Ichord said.

He acknowledged that often in the past committee hearings were conducted in a circus atmosphere and the rights of individuals were sometimes infringed. In future, Mr Ichord said, the committee intended to protect the constitutional rights of witnesses and to conduct its business in a more orderly manner.