894.20211/9–841

The Acting Attorney General (McGuire) to the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Un-American Activities (Dies)

My Dear Mr. Congressman: In your letter of August 27, 1941, addressed to the Attorney General,1 you stated that if the Attorney General had no objection, you would suggest to your Committee the advisability of conducting public hearings to receive evidence regarding Japanese activities in the United States.

The Attorney General has discussed the situation with the President and the Secretary of State, both of whom feel quite strongly [Page 432] that hearings such as you contemplate would be inadvisable. The Attorney General is of the same opinion, and accordingly is unable to approve the course which you have in mind.

Sincerely yours,

Matthew F. McGuire
  1. Not printed; Francis Biddle was Attorney General.