formed individual who used the so-called anti-Communist program to elevate himself to a position of prominence in the Army's psychological warfare program. Are you familiar with this? Major STEVENSON. No, sir, I am not. Senator THURMOND. Would you submit details about this for the record? Major STEVENSON. I have no information at all, sir, about Mr. McDowell. Senator THURMOND. You have none at all about him? Major STEVENSON. That is right, sir. Senator THURMOND. Does your office have information about Mr. McDowell? Major STEVENSON. I cannot say offhand, sir. Senator THURMOND. He dealt with your office, did he not? Major STEVENSON. Apparently so, sir, but considerably before my time, and I do not know just Senator THURMOND. Would you furnish for the record the information on Mr. McDowell? Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir. Senator THURMOND. McDowell had a weird program of turning Long Island, New York Fire Brigades into anti-Communist minutemen. His activities revolved around the Babylon-Patchogue area of Long Island. He was reported to have ingratiated himself with several of the fire chiefs in that area. Now, what do you suppose was the purpose of your office sponsoring this man on expensive visits to the Pentagon and to Fort Bragg? Major STEVENSON. I have no information at all, sir, about these activities. I cannot comment. Senator THURMOND. Would you furnish that information for the record? (The information requested is as follows:) Concerning a request for information that the Office of the Chief of Information, U.S. Army, New York branch, has on Harold McDowell: Search of the office files indicates that in the early part of April 1959, Harold McDowell visited the office with a letter of introduction from the Chief, Troop Information Division, Office of the Chief of Information, Department of the Army. McDowell had been instructed to contact the Office of the Chief of Information, New York branch office, for assistance to borrow Armed Forces films which have been cleared for public use. Files indicate that McDowell had received pamphlets in the "You and Your USA" and "Democracy versus Communism" series from Headquarters, Department of the Army, and that while at this Office he was informed that there was a central film and equipment exchange at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York 4, N.Y.; that it had an over-thecounter service and mail-order service; and that he could borrow film there for use by civilian organizations. This Office did not sponsor any trips of Mr. McDowell. Senator THURMOND. My reason for bringing this out is that the issue of quality control keeps reoccurring during this hearing. My point has been that the information officer is not trained to provide quality control. He does not have the resources, nor the sources of intelligence, which would keep a man like McDowell from influencing important Army activities. Do you see my point? Major STEVENSON. I understand, sir. DISCUSSION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF HUGH B. HESTER Senator THURMOND. Major Stevenson, do you know of any contact Gen. Hugh B. Hester has had with your Office? Major STEVENSON. What is the name, sir? Senator THURMOND. Hugh B. Hester. Major STEVENSON. Not with Senator THURMOND. He is a retired brigadier general. Do you know of any contact he has had with your office? Senator THURMOND. Are you familiar with the background of Gen. Hugh B. Hester? Major STEVENSON. I am not, sir. Senator THURMOND. Do you feel it would be of importance to information officers to know that Gen. Hugh B. Hester has consistently cooperated with Communist-front organizations in the United States since his retirement? Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir, I can imagine that information might be helpful; certainly. Senator THURMOND. Would you look into that? Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir. What specifically, Senator? Senator THURMOND. What is that? Major STEVENSON. What specifically would you like me to look into on that? For the record, sir? Senator THURMOND. Look into his records of cooperation with Communist fronts. Major STEVENSON. For my own information? Senator THURMOND. Yes, for your information. Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir. Senator THURMOND. I think it would be helpful. Major STEVENSON. That is what I am trying to determine, sir. Senator THURMOND. I have here a handbill produced by the New World Review, 34 West 15th Street, New York 11, N.Y., which advertises a contest for the so-called enunciation of the stake of American youth in peace. Gen. Hugh B. Hester is one of the three judges. I will hand you this bill. Could you read it for us? Major STEVENSON. It is entitled "New York Review Announces Its Second Essay Contest: 'Youth's Stake in Peace'." Nuclear warfare threatens the future of all young people. What policies should the new Administration adopt on disarmament and relations with other countries to insure lasting world peace? Open to all young people-ages 18 through 25. $500 in prizes (donated through the generosity of a friend). First prize, $200; second prize, $100; third prize, $50; 10 honorable mention awards of $15 each. Judges: Professor Royal W. France, noted economist, civil rights lawyer, author of My Native Grounds. Reverend Stephen H. Fritchman, pastor, First Unitarian Church, Los Angeles, California. General Hugh B. Hester, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired). Rules for submitting essay on above subject: 1. Absolute maximum 1000 words. Senator THURMOND. You need not go into details. Are you familiar with the New World Review? 80752-62-pt. 5- 9 Major STEVENSON. No, sir; I am not. Senator THURMOND. Did you know that it has been identified- Senator THURMOND (continuing). As a Communist publication? Senator THURMOND. Major Stevenson, I want to highlight the fact that the Communists do place emphasis on agitation of youth against our military readiness or preparedness. Thus the activities of a retired general of the Army would, of course, be an important means to deceive students into believing that this may be a legitimate peace program. What is your reaction to this? Major STEVENSON. I think that knowledge of this gentleman's activity would be helpful to our youth, yes, so that they would not be deceived. Senator THURMOND. If they did not have any knowledge about his working with Communist fronts, however, the fact that he signed his name "Brigadier General, U.S. Ármy (Retired)" might deceive some of them, might it not? Major STEVENSON. It is possible, sir; yes. Senator THURMOND. I might say that this is a typical peace front which falls into the category of pro-Communist antimilitary agitation described so well yesterday by Dr. Beerstecher. Mr. Chairman, that is all; thank you. Senator STENNIS. Thank you very much, Senator. Major, we thank you very much for your statement, for your appearance here. That seems to be all now. With the thanks of the subcommittee, sir, you are excused. Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir; thank you. Senator THURMOND. Major Stevenson, I wish to thank you for your testimony. Major STEVENSON. Yes, sir. Senator STENNIS. All right; Major Comer, come around, please. Excuse me just a minute. I have a call here. We will just take a little recess. (Whereupon, a brief recess was taken, after which the hearing was continued.) Senator STENNIS. All right; the subcommittee will come to order, please. Major Comer, we are glad to have you here, sir, as a witness. You have already been sworn. You have a prepared statement. COMER BIOGRAPHY Mr. Reporter, put the major's biographical sketch in the record at this point, please. (The biographical sketch referred to is as follows:) MAJOR EDWARD COMER, CHIEF, MILITARY, U.S. AND WORLD AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, U.S. ARMY INFORMATION SCHOOL, FORT SLOCUM, NEW YORK Major Edward Comer was born in Lansing, West Virginia on August 1, 1917. He attended Marshall College in 1948; University of Louisville from 1953 to 1955, and The University of Maryland overseas branch in Japan in 1956 to 1958. He has been Chief, Military, U.S. and World Affairs Department, U.S. Army Information School, Fort Slocum, New York since 1959. From 1956 to 1958 From 1955 to 1956 he served as a staff officer and unit commander in Japan. he was a unit commander and staff officer in Korea. From 1952 to 1955 he was on Reserve Officer Training Corps duty in Louisville, Kentucky. From 1948 to 1952 he served in various units in command and staff positions with United States Forces in Austria. From 1942 to 1945, Major Comer served as a Platoon and Company Commander in units in the United States and the European Theater of operations. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Ribbon, The Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. In 1947 he graduated from the Airborne School, in 1958 from the Army Information School and in 1959 from the Army Command and General Staff College. COMER STATEMENT Senator STENNIS. Do you wish to read your statement, Major? TESTIMONY OF MAJ. EDWARD COMER, CHIEF, MILITARY, U.S. AND WORLD AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, U.S. ARMY INFORMATION SCHOOL, FORT SLOCUM, N.Y. Major COMER. Yes, sir. Now, may we have everyone's cooperation so all may hear. All right, Major, proceed. Major COMER. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee: I am Major Edward Comer, Chief, Military, U. S. and World Affairs Department, U. S. Army Information School, Fort Slocum, New York. The purpose of the Information School is to train selected commissioned officers, Department of the Army civilians and enlisted personnel to plan, program, coordinate, supervise and participate in the preparation and dissemination of information, both internal and external, through available communication media such as military and civilian publications, radio and television and to emphasize and promote troop information, public information and community relations. I would like to emphasize that we train personnel to function as staff assistants to the commander as specialists in matters relating to his information responsibilities. As one of five academic departments in the Information School, my department has the responsibility for providing Information personnel with an up-to-date working knowledge of United States History, Government and Foreign Policy; the threat, strategy and tactics of Communism; and a general knowledge of other areas of the world with emphasis on United States commitments therein and Communist activity in these areas. This background coverage is particularly important in the preparation, evaluation and dissemination of materials utilized in supporting the objectives of the Troop Information program. Much of the instruction given at the school in national and international affairs, while not academically identified as Intelligence instruction, covers areas of common interest and concern to the information and intelligence fields. At the present time the Information School offers two basic courses of instruction. An Information Officer Course and an Information Specialist Course. While the field of coverage is approximately the same for both courses, the actual instruction is geared to meet the different needs of the staff officer and the enlisted specialist. You have before you the Programs of Instruction for both Officer and Specialist courses, and I will highlight the areas covered and the main differences between the two courses. Both officer and specialist courses have an initial one hour instruction period entitled "Elements of National Power." This is an explanation of national objectives and the means used by nations to reach those objectives and an analysis of the component parts of national power and the relationship of these factors to present U.S. military deployments. This discussion is designed to provide a framework of reference for the remainder of the course. The first general area of coverage, U.S. History, is designed to show the development of the United States and the part the Army has played and is playing in supporting the policies of the United States. The Specialist class receives 12 hours instruction on history while the Officers Class receives 2 hours on history in the U.S. Government instruction. The next bloc of subjects deals with the functioning of the U.S. Government and also the functioning of state and local governments. The Officer class receives eight periods of instruction in this area while the enlisted class receives six. The main difference in the coverage is two periods in the Officer program: "The Political Heritage of the U.S." and "The Constitution" that were covered during the history periods for the Specialist class. The discussion of U.S. Foreign Policy is designed to provide Information personnel with an understanding of its development and change. Five periods are devoted to this topic in the Officer course while only one period to summarize our Foreign Policy is allotted to the Specialist class. Early foreign policy changes are integrated into the discussion of U.S. History. Our next bloc of instruction is concerned with the threat, strategy, and tactics of communism. The approach is essentially the same for both classes, in seven periods with the Officers and six periods with the Specialist class. The topics covered are: "Background to the Soviet Union," "Origin and Development of Communism," "The Structure of the Soviet Union," "Soviet Foreign Policy," "Soviet Economic and Political Warfare," "The U.S. vs. Communist Economic System," and "Communism in the Western Hemisphere". The next bloc of instruction deals with three area surveys. The instruction here follows the same pattern for both Officer and Specialist classes. The first of the areas is the Western Hemisphere. The discussion here covers in two periods, the geographic, economic and political factors in Canada and Latin America. Also the relationship between the United States, Canada, and Latin America, and the Organization of American States. The next area is Europe. We devote six periods to a survey of the strategic value, economic resources, and population distribution of Europe and a discussion of the importance of this area to the United States and free world security as an aid to the Information Specialist in interpreting United States commitments in Western Europe and NATO for use in the troop information program. |