MORRIS SHEPPARD, TEX., CHAIRMAN
ROBERT R. REYNOLDS. N.
WARREN R. AUSTIN, VT.
ELBERT D. THOMAS, UTA
STYLES BRIDGES, N. H
SHERMAN MINTON, IND.
CHAN GURNEY, S. DAK.
EDWIN C. JOHNSON, COLO.
RUFUS C. HOLMAN, OREG.
JOSH LEE, OKLA.
JOHN THOMAS, IDAHO
HARRY H. SCHWARTZ, WYO.
ERNEST LUNDEEN, MINN.
LISTER HILL, ALA.
SHERIDAN DOWNEY, CALIF.
JAMES M. SLATTERY, ILL.
ALBERT B. CHANDLER, KY.
WILLIAM H. SMATHERS, N. J.
VICTOR RUSSELL, CLERK
W. I. SMALLEY, ASST. CLERK
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
March 23, 1940
Dear Mother:
Your letter of the 21st is especially interesting.
Your reference to the Tobey Resolution moves me to express the opinion
that nothing further will occur in the Senate about it. Nevertheless,
the publicity connected with the hearings, and the obvious unwillingness
of the New Dealers to give the resolution a chance on the Senate Floor,
has started something among the people which may have political conse-
quences of importance.
The questions objected to are not an isolated case: they are an episode
in a series of snooping acts put on by the New Deal. The most conspicuous
instance was the case of Mr. McCracken, who was sent to jail for ten days
because he protected his client's privileged communications. This was
caused by Mr. Justice Black.
Another episode was the seizure of telegrams and private letters, caused
by Mr. Justice Black, which the Supreme Court denounced. Wire tapping
and violating the privaccy of the United States mails has been common, and
I think the whole program is aimed at finding new means of financing the
Government.
Constitutional history is littered with the wrecks caused by efforts of
rulers to find new sources of revenue when they have exhausted the people.
In our case, we have a bill, called the Lee bill, which would give the
President power to have a special census to ascertain the net wealth of
the United States, and the wealth of every individual. Thereupon in
time of an emergency created by the imminence of war, a forced loan would
be made, and if any person refused to answer truthfully in the census, or
to loan the money to the Government when called upon, he would have to go
to prison.
This is the sort of thing that caused the beheading of Charles I, and
ultimately brought about Magna Charta.
The importance of putting an end to these snooping performances is likely
to be understood more clearly because of Senator Tobey's gallant fight
connected with the census. No matter what Congress does, or fails to do,


Mother, ..... 2
the people of this country will be informed in the coming campaign
of the significance of these activities of the Federal Government.
I sent you Easter greetings yesterday from Mildred and me, and I
renew them, although I think this letter cannot get to you until
Monday.
Best love.
Warren
Mrs. C. G. Austin,
St. Albans,
Vermont.