E. E. ALDERMAN «
434 GRAND AVE.
DAYTON, OHIO
Dayton, 5, Ohio
January 2, 1947
Irwin F.. Bender
3786 Derry St. (Paxtang)
Harrisburg, Penna.
Dear friend sr. Bender:
We got your nice Christmas greeting . . and hope you
and Mrs. Bender got ours..... And 1 was especially pleased to receive
your Dec. 22 letter, as 1 had not heard from you for a long time.
Yes, 1 too received Xmas greetings from p.o.w.’s and their femilies.
I thought they had forgotten you and me long ago, but some families were
so grateful they again remembered this Xmas. I got 24 of them and about
half the number, enclosed notes inside, which 1 enjoyed very much. The
state which produced the most of them was Valifornia: I got four or fiive
from there.
Like you, I am nursing along my old automobile. Yes, we wade the
wip to southwestern Indiana the first week in September, and then went
again for Thanksgiving Vay and the week-end..... on the same old tires,
which were needing replacement even before the war started. At the start
of the war, I had them re-grooved, but later on the government prhébited
the dealers doing this, for some reason. You surely had an unfortunate
experience with replacing rear-assembly . . . price and being held up 3 weeks..
My car has now gone over 70,000 miles, and adjusting or fixing this
or that as 1 discovered something not just right (before trouble developed)
my car is running fine, the finish looks shiny new, and am hoping it
will go a great number more miles. it's a 1935 Oldsmobile and the engine
runs smoothly . . . never had any new engine bearings installed, and 1 don’t
understand what is holding them up so good.
Sorry you have had so much work to do in connection with your home.
I have noticed that these home owners are always busy during their spare
hours. As for the homes built during the war here, i have heard many
reports that there is doubt they will hold up until the payments are all maie.
ror about four months real-estate prices here have softened up yuite a bit, -
following departure of many men who were here for war duration only.-..ere.
and those wio can find no rentals, or, those home-owners who want to
sell before the bottom drops out, are still priced out of the market.
I look for a steep drop before long, and especially if the country is to
nave a big recession as many predict.
Something which has never happened pefore to my knowledge, was
the slashing of prices by dept-stores as long as two weeks BHFORE Christmas,
the very advertisements in papers just looked like they were panic-stricken.
Apd now since Xmas is over, even much greater slashes are made. it is
reported that all stores were greatly over-stocked for the demand, goods
bought at high prices, and total sales here were only about 35% of their
Xmas stocks......A lot of stores are boumd to be hurt financially, and that
goes across the country. ire
And you and Mrs. Sender can look for lower food prices very soon. Do
€. E. ALDERMAN
434 GRAND AVE.
DAYTON, OHIO
2
try to find one to go up to 50,000 ke and down as low as 125 ke. I hear the
hams saying that the ultra short-waves are wonderful for clear channels, but
they have trouble with “skipping” . .. in other words, they fade out.....
This 1 think is due to the fact that the higher the freyvency, the straighter
direction they go, and shoot off into space if the transmitter and the receiver
are much of a distance apart.
Il hear that those Halicrafters get great results .. . and have plug-ins
to get the ultra wave-lengths . . . and sell for only #65.00..... ls that right ?
Mrs. Aldermen and I are fairly well... Of course 1 have told you before
that 1 will soon be 57 yrs old (April) and cannot be as frisky as 1 was a
few years agod, but 1 am so much better in health than 3 years ago.
Hope you end Mrs. Bender....also your son, are fine .. . and will enjoy
the best of health throughout 1947. Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Your friend,
Rac rraae
LAW OFFICES
JOHN J. O'CONNOR
29 BROADWAY WASHINGTON BUILDING
NEW YORK 6 August 20, 1948 WASHINGTON 5, D. Cc.
BOWLING GREEN 9 - 2348 REpus.ic 1080
Honorable Tom C. Clark
Attorney General of the United States
Department of Justice
Washington 25, D. C.
Re: Mildred Elizabeth Gillars
My dear Attorney General:
Eneloged find copy of a letter received by me in reference to this
prospective defendant, just brought back, in custody, from Germany, re-
putedly to be charged with ‘treason’’. As the letter now relates, it was
this particular lady, dubbed “Axis Sally,’ who in a broadcast from Germany,
in 1944, made known the existence and location of my oldest son, John, who
was then a prisoner of war of the Germans, and about whom we had not
heard for months - as to whether he was living or dead.
As I am informed, she furnished, many times, like information, over
the German radio, which, of course, was of great comfort to many Americans,
who were anxious about their sons and relatives. It is natural, therefore, that
we, and others who likewise received the good news, through her broadcasts,
should feel sympathetic toward the lady.
I am also advised that many veterans enjoyed her broadcasts.
Other than the above, I know nothing about the lady. Of course,
if she is guilty of ‘treason,’ she should be punished accordingly, but she
should not be tried or punished for ‘“‘treason,’’ in any attempt to get even
with her or satisfy pressure to prosecute her for any other reason, unless
that reason is openly disclosed and constitutes a crime.
As an observant American citizen, I can tell you that there is
definitely a widespread feeling whereby some of these other so-called
‘treason’ trials, such as one or two held in Boston not so long ago, do
not sit quite well with our people - not strictly ‘‘on the up and up,’ as
they say. They have a sort of feeling that those so charged were tried,
not for really being “traitors”? to their country, but because they were
quite vicious and unusually outspoken in their attacks on certain individuals
and groups. There is unquestionably a similar size-up of the so-called
Washington ‘‘Treason’” trials - which ended in a dud.
I shall never forget a conversation I had, while 1 was a member of
Congress, with Mr. Mitchell, then Attorney General under President Hoover.
The occasion for the meeting was a certain protest made by me about an
ambitious Republican United States District Attorney, in New York, playing
Honorable Tom C. Clark (2) August 80, 1948
politics by prosecuting Democratic leaders, through the instrumest of the
income tax law. In that connection, Attorney General Mitchell said to me,
in effect, that the American Bar would always regard it as a black mark
on the eseutcheon of American jurisprudence, that Al Capone was prose-
cuted under the income tax laws, which were used as a vehicle to get him
for various alleged murders and other crimes, such a circuitous appre-
hension being ean abject admission of the efficiency of our criminal agencies.
If the lady, Gillars, has in fact committed some crime other than
‘treason’, such as criminal libel, for instance, anor should be prosecuted
for the crime she actually committed, and for Nagle vhag amd
only of intolerance, she should be left to the p Oe nich our
people almost invariably bestow on such un-American behavior.
With respect, I am
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) John J. O’Connor
August 29,1948.
5786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pa.
Law Office of John J. OS$Connor,
Washington Building,Wash. D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
Would you be kind enough to furnish me with the address
of John M. Holaworth,attorney in the defence of Miss Mildred Gillers,
( referred to as "Axis Sally")? or if it possible for you to contact
him in my behaig and teil him I have in my possession what I believe
to be sufficient evidence to acquit the defendant.
Thanking you for all the kindness you have shown me in the
past, I remain
Gratefuily yours,
,irwin F. Bender,
3786'Berry Street,
Harrisburg, Pa.
= pinta be, (Lt.Aew
(My phone number is Harrisburg,Pa. #3-1229. (35-1229)
NOTE:- I relayed all her personal prisoner-ofewar messages to the mothers
and wives here in America and have in my possession carbon-copies of
most all of them, together with her personal vomments and helps to
the anxious peopie here in America who waited so iong for any news
as to the where-abouts of their bpys who were either prisoners-of-
war or still "missing in action." Her messiages via the Berlin short-
wave radio will be forever cherished by the many thousands of homes
into which they eventually found their way to gladden the hearts and
renew once again the faith in mankind even in tye bitterness of war.)
THE & NEWS
NEW YORK’S PICTURE NEWSPAPER
220 EAST FORTY SECOND STREET
New YorK 1I7, N.Y.
MURRAY HILL 2-1234
RosBert G. SHAND
MANAGING EDITOR
September 2, 1948
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Miss Ruth Montgomery of our Washington Bureau
tells me she talked to you on the phone today about
Miss Gillars.
As things stand now, Miss Gillars has no attorney.
She has arranged to get one before her next appearance
before Commissioner Lawrence on September 14. As
soon as we know who the lawyer is, we will send you
his name.
In the meantime, we plan to do a little follow-up work,
with a view to running a story on the ‘‘Midge’’ part of
Miss Gillars’ wartime broadcast activities.
Sincerely,
Richard Clarke
Enclosure
RC:D
eer | NR a een. OME get See Ee ee ge ee ear eee
JOHN C. KUNKEL COMMITTEE:
CUMBERLAND, DAUPHIN BANKING AND CURRENCY
AND LEBANON COUNTIES
PENNSYLVANIA BLANCHE GARNEY
entORENA RICHINOS Congress of the United States ges rg pe pee
Bouse of Representatives
TEL. 4-3356
Washington, B. C.
Harrisburg 2, Pa.
September 6, 1948
My dear Mr. Bender:
Your letter relative to the treason charge
being brought against Miss Mildred Elizabeth Gillars
just reached me. This matter has been gone into most
carefully by the FBI. They have assured me om this
score. Furthermore, Miss Gillars cannot be convicted
unless a jury of twelve men and/or women bring a verdict
against her.
Miss Gillars has the same protectim accorded
to every American citizen in our courts. She will be
defended by counsel and she has the op»ortunity to
defend her case. No Member of Congress nor anyone else
can justifiably interfere with the operations of our
courts unless they depart from the accepted rules and
practices and the law.
I feel sure that Miss Gillars will receive
the full opportunity to defend herself and to prove
her innocence of the charge made, if she is innocent.
Very sinée ge
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
THE & NEWS
NEW YORK’S PICTURE NEWSPAPER
220 EAST FORTY SECOND STREET
New YorRK 17, N.Y.
MURRAY HILL 2-1234
RICHARD CLARKE
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
September 7, 1948
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Your letter of September 6th makes no mention
of the story about Mildred Gillars which appeared
in The News September 4. I enclose a copy.
Both sides of the matter will undoubtedly be dis-
cussed at great length at Miss Gillars’ trial.
Sincerely,
‘Richard Clarke
Enclosure
RC:D
DANIEL F. BOONE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
CABLE ADDRESS NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING TELEPHONE
DANBOONE ~ WASHINGTON 4, D.C. NAtionat 2784
September 20th 1948
Mr. Irwin F. Bender,
3786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
Dear Mr. Bender :— Re: Mildred Elizabeth Gillars
This is just a brief note to thank you for your letter in behalf
of above subject. I also received today,from Mrs, Herrick, your letter
of September 14th., which was forwarded from Conneaut, Ohio.
Miss Gillars has engaged a local lawyer Mr. James J. Laughlin, and
I will see that your letters and messages are delivered to both Mr,
Laughlin and Miss Gillars promptly and will advise you of their desire
for further help from you and your friends who offer your services,
I will also make inquiry about the registered letter sent Miss
Gillars and advise you if she received same,
Again thanking you, I am |
Very truly yours,
September 25,1948,
3786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg,Pa.
Mr.Edwin C. Hill
e/o Station W-J=Z,N.Ye
Dear Mr. Hill:-
We have always associated the name of “Edwin ©. Hill”
with the best traditions of America,- its people and institutions. Your
excellant voice carries that rich humanitarian tone which is ummistakingly
wholesome to the heart and ming. The prestige you have built up with your
vast audience of listeners can never be fully appreciated except by some
show of appreciation by your unseen listeners.
I wish to thank you fornthe splendid talks you give vis NBC each
evening. However, on Saturday night you injected into « news-cast a few
"ad lib" lines upon a certain item that were not in the general news dispetches
either in the Press or on other radio commentators broadcasts.(Lowell Thoms, etc.)
When you read the item relative to Miss Mildred 2. Gillars, you not
only repeated the "foul" name that has been clamped on her by the FBI (reported
by North African troops) of "Axis Sally", you stated (in substance) that this
women gloried in "Heil Hitler" and the rest of the Nazi acclaimations for whthh
she stands charged with "high treason."
These are not the words of Edwin C. Hill as we know him. His words are
fair and he speakes for Americans and is whole-heartedly, AMERICAN. Unless he
knows the entire history of Miss Gillars mgnificant contribution to the enhance-
ment of the American War effort (through the medium of her thousands of comforting
messages to the wives and mothers of brrve American lads who were missing-ingaction
or prisoners-of-war in Germany) he should not speak freely when so doing he risks
the life of a brave American Women who is charged with "high treason" which on
conviction carries the maximum penalty of DEATH. ;
I cannot believe these were kawin C. Hill's own words. I believe rather
they were “written in" to gain a certain advantage over the defendant,Miss Gillars.
A little "knowledge is a dangerous thing." That applies to «many things.
I am still for Edwin C. Hill as I knew him before I heard this "foul"
item and I trust I shall not be obliged to hear anything but the whole-hearted
TRUTH as only he can give it.
Respectfully yours,
Irwin F,. Bender.
Sept .26,1948
3786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg, Pa.
Miss Ruth Montgomery,
THE NEWS,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Your article in thé Saturdey issue of THE NEWS
is most commendable for it carried a most complete account of the herring
end presented « word picture that was very clear, Most of the news-casts
and newspaper items on this case carried only vague descriptions of the
event and most of them were distorted.
* When you inquired,via-our phone conversation some time ago, as to
whether I had contacted Miss Gillars by letter.at the District Jail, I got
the impression that I could correspond with her; At least to send her a
letter of informtion in her defense (as an American citizen?). This I did.
However, I sent the letter "REGISTERED with a return receipt guaranteed" at
7:45 AM. EeD.Time on Sept.9th and they purposely held the letter for the
entire 'time-limit" which is allowed by the Postal Rules,- "a ten day period
for delivery of a Registered letter";--and then returned the letter (unopened)
to me on Tuesday,Sept.21 st at 8:00 A.M.with a "scribbled notation” in pencil
on the face of the letter,-"unable to locsted%. Perhaps they had tried to
"steam open the glued~flaps" of the letter «s is customary by "prying eels”
who attempt to hide their underhand work. I was my intention that they must
either “open the letter on the level" or deliver it to her un-opened,~ for
I deliberately opened all the flaps of the envelope and "cemented" them shut
with « hard "all-purpose" radio cemen$, so the usual "steaming process” was
impossible. .
Thete was nothing secret in the letter, I would have been only tod6.,
glad if they had opened and read the letter,- but I also think that they should
have «t least bemn that "fair" as to let her know that someone was attempting
to contact her in the defense. If this is the "Fair System of Justice" that Mr,
Cyril Lawrence has guaranteed in this csase,- then my original charge to Mr.
Lawrence (I miiled him « complete letter Aug.23rd.) still stands,- Miss Gillers
is being "RAILROADED" by certain vindictive persons who wish to see everything
that brushed elbows with Germany wiped off the face of the earth.
Thanking you again for your excellant help in this case, I remain
Geatefully yours,
Irwin F. Bender.
pit ¥ a "the jail letter" 4, Mr-Deniel Boone, who is assisting in the case
or her sister (Mrs.i.R Herrick of Conneaut,0.) He said he would turn the in-
formation over to the defence lawyer,Mr.James J, Laughlin,
|
od
October 11,1945,
3786 Derry Street,
_ Havrisburg,Ps «
Mr.Lowell Thomes,
. Pawling, Ny¥.
Dear Mr.Thomas:=
On the 15th of November the “treason” trial of Mildred ®liza-
‘ beth Gillers will begin in Washington,D.C.*. If you will be so kind to liston
. to the following story, I kmow thet much good will come of it, in-so-far as
anything you micht include in future news-conments may harm or help this sorry
situation.
ee esd TEPPER He OH REARMKARS
Miss Mildred Cillers,knowm to the American "reley-listeners’ as "Midge",
by which name she identified herself over the Berlin short-wave radio, has been
"kidnepped" by the Department of Justice and they heve framed a "treason" charge
against her.
This brave woman,unfortunately, found herself in Turope at the out-break
of the "war~in-urope" (which began some time before we entered World WarII) end
when this girl discovered the plight of our boys who were prisoners-of-war in
Germany,~ she-cest her lot with our boys and began the great humanitarian work
of helping the boys write their messages; collecting them from the verious camps;
often making voice-recordings;- and then reading or playing-back the messages
E over the Berlin short-wave radio for American listeners to pick-up and relay to
P the next-of-kin. Undoubtedly, she received word through the International Red
Cross thst her messages were being heard and releyed.
She cerried out this priceless service for nearly two years and thousands
of people here in Americe received the great "aid and comfort" that was to be
had in her courageous efforts in transmitting these messages of life and hope.
The false charge of “treacon" (for the definition of TREASON carries the
eherge of “giving aid end comfort to the enemy") is based on her North African
brosdeusts which were harmless;- ond there certainly was no “= and comfort”
given to the Germens in ell her radio activities.
I have been working very herd in the defence of Wiss Gillars {whom the
Department of Justice has so "unfairly" dubbed,- Axis Ssally),and have a few
influential people helping in the cause.i.e.{Former Congressman John J. O'Connor,
Mr.Richard Clarke of the New York,NEWS,Congressman John C. Kunkel,cets.) My wife
and I listened-in and relayed nearly all the messages that "Midge", (Miss Gillars)
gave via the Berlin short-wave radio during the war,und the thousands of letters of
appreciation we have received testify to the fact that Miss Gillers has rendered to
the American people a priceless service that can never be repsid. The FRI and their
"Alma Mater",the Department of Justice, are trying hard to carry out the wishes of
certain vindictive persons to 'railroad” this girl to life imprisonment, =nd even
- DeaTHeliy sole purpose in writing you is to make you acquainted with the TRUTH,
which in every respect is being kept from the American public by the very Department
which is supposed to protect the rights of every American citizen and uphold TRUTH
and JUSTICE.
My pleatotgeyow is :- when referring to this case in any of your news-casts
| please do not defame this brave woman's character, such as did Edwin C. Hill, in his
‘Human Side Of The News", the other night. He stated (in substance) thet "Mildred
Gillars,the Axix Sally of War-Time Nazi radio-fame,who gloried in the Heil Hitlers
and all the glamourous Nazi aeelaim. war broncht hefare a Fadarel IMndeo and heard
a
October 24,148,
3786 Derry street,
Harrisburg,Pa,
Mr.Daniel F. B@one,
National Press Bldg.
Wash.4,D.0.
Dear Mr.Boone:-
I have A Dare ee ere ear letter :
she statesi~ ( REP e RIG To CEETGR SHE GAVE YOU FOR me),
"I gave the first letter to Mr.Boone,the second to Mr.Laughlin,
my attorney,und now we are going to try,through the evidence of
my sister,Mrs.Herrick, to direct this letter to its desired destination.”
Since I have your letter of Sept.20th in which you show determination to
act “promptly” (as the time is exceedingly limited) in this cuse. I'll take that
letter immediately.
Please give me your answer in a few days. If I do not receive that letter
this week yet, I shall have to inform Mr.John J. O'Connor who is helping this
case as an interested “by-stander". If you get tnat letter from Miss Gillars
before October 12th (which date appears on her letter) you certainly had time
to get in touch with me.
As Sheakespeare has said in his famous "soliloquy",-"the oppressors wrong",
the law's delay, the insolence of office,ctc.” ,---let's not be guilty of all
that.
Patiently waiting,-
Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg,Pa.
oe eee ee
October 24,1948
5786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg,Pa.
Mir.Drew Pearson,
2820 Dumbarton Avenue,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr.Pearson:-
| On the 19th of November the "treeson" trial of Wildred Eliza-
| beth Gillars will begin in Washington, D.C. If you will be so kind to listen
to the folowing story, I know that much good will come of it,- in-so-fer as
anything you might incluae in future news-comments my hurm or help this sorry
situation.
coat PERSO LL eR OO eee Co
Miss Mildred Gillars, known to the hundreds of American "reluy-listeners" as
"Midge",by which nume she identified herself over the Berlin short-wave radio, has
. been "kidnapped" by the Department of Justice and they have frumed a “treason” charge
against her.
This brave wouen,unfortunately, found herself in burope at the out-bresk of
the War-in-EZurope (which began before we entered World War II) and when we entered
it, this brave girl discovered the plight of our boys who were prisoners-of-wer
in Germany~ and she cust her lot with our boys and begen that greet humaniterian
work of helping the boys write their messages; collecting them from the various
cumps,-often mking voice-tecordings;- und then residing or playingeback the messages
over the Berlin short-wave radio for American listeners to pick-up and relay to
the nexi-of-kin. Undoubtedly she received word through the International Red Cross
that her messeges were being heard and relayed.
She carried out this priceless service for nearly two yeurs und thousands of
people here in America received the greut "aid and comfort" that was to be ~
had in her courageous efforts in transmitting these messages of life und hope.
The false churge of "treason" (for the definition of TREASON us stated in
ARTICLE III,Section S,of thk U.S.Constitution carries the charge of "giving aid
and comfort to the enemy") is based on her North African brosdcasts which were harmless,-
and there certainly was mo “aid and comfort" given to the Germens in all her
radio activities.
I have been working very hard in the defense of Miss Cillers (whom the
Department or Justice has so “unfairly” dubbed -Axis Sally), end heve some
influential people helping in the causesi.e. (Former Congressman John J. O'Connor,
Mr.Richard Clarke of the New York NEWS, Congressmn John C. Kunkel,etc.)
My wife and I listened-in and relsyed nearly «11 the messuges thet"Midge",
(Miss Gillars), read via the Berlin short-wave rudio during the wer and the thousends
of letters of appreciation we have received testify to the fact that Miss Gillars
has rendered to the American people a priceless service that can never be repaid.
The FBI and their "Alma Mater", the Department of Justice,are trying hard to carry
out the wishes of certain vindictive persons to “railroad” this girl to life imprieon-
ment or even -DEATH.
My sole purpose in writing you is to make you acquainted with the THUTH, which
in every respect is being kept from the American public by the very Depsertment which
is supposed to protect the rights of every American citizen and uphold TRUTH and
JUSTICE. If the thousands of men and women here in America knew the true identity of
this noble woman,-the person who made it possible for them to quickly discover the
safety of their boys as reported over the Berlin radio,- when they otherwise my
not otherwise heve known of their boys' survival after the War Department sent out
the dreadful,-"MISSING-IN-ACTION" telegrams.
PAGR <2,
As before stated,if these people knew how their "war-time" benefactor was
being so shamefully iii iia: would rise in righteous indignation and demand
her release.
WN PRE R EERE ERRARE HARD HS
My plea to you, Mr.Pearson, is--- since this woman is placed on trial for
he life,-when referring to this case (if necessary) in any of your news-casts
Please do not defume this brave wommns charscter,such as did Edwin C, Hill,in
his "Human Side Of the News" (for Kelvinator Co.)the other night. He stated
(insubstence) that "Mildred Gillars,the axis Sally of War-Time Nazi radio-fame, who
gloried in the Heil-Hitlers and «ll the glamourous Newi acclaim,wes brought before
& Federal Judge and heard the charge of HIGH TREASON read to her,etc.”
Only those who are ignorant of the rexl truth could bring in such e condemnation
to one who gave so much for American prisoners-of-wer and their next-of-kin.
I thank you so much for your kind etiention to this letter and remin,
Hopeful. unto the end,~
Respectiuliy yours,
Irwin ¥, Bender,
October 24,1948,
3886 Derry Street, (3786 Derry St.)
Harrisburg,Pa.
Mr.& Mrs.D.B.Frampton,
Schenley Apartments,
Pittsburgh,Pa. (13)
Dear Friends:-
My last correspondence with you wes in the form of that magnificent
"List of 106th DIVISION MEN REPORTED MISSING IN "BATTLE OF THE PULGE", which you
wailed vo me back in April 1945; And the fact thet you had listed your own brave boy,
Corp.D.B.Frampton, so inconspicuously,as just one of the boys,is u great testimony
of the great heart «nd unselfish contribution you folks gave to the alleviation of
much of the heart-ache and pain suffered by many of the next~of-kin during World
War II.
I have written you this letter to acouaint you with another person who during
the war elso contributed much to the "alleviation of the suffering of heart-sick
American men und woman" whose boys were either missing-in-action or prisoners-of-
war in Germany.
On Hovember the 15th,194s, begins the "treason" trial of Mildred Wlizabeth
Giliars. If you will listen to tne true stery I now present, I know you will arrive
at e different conclusion in this sorry situation:-
-<--- Ce etetel wae nw eee -—
Mildred E. Gillers, known to hundreds of American "reluy-listeners” (short-
wave listening posts) as "Midge" by which name she identified herself over the
Berlin short-wave radio, has vewn "kidnapped by the Department of Justice and
they have frumed a “treason” charge against her.
This oreve wun, unfortunately, found herself in Europe at the out-break of the
War-in-Europe (which begen before we entered World War II) ana when we entered it;
and when this woman found the plight of our poys who Wie=prisoners-of-war in
Germany,she cast her lot with our boys abd began the humaniterian work of helping
the boys write their messages, coliecting them from the various camps, and then
reading them over the Berlin short-wave radio for American listeners to pick-up
and reley to the next-of-kin. Undoubtedly, she received word through the International
Red Cross that her messages were being heard and relayed,
She carried out this priceless service Yor more than two years, and the thousands
of Americans,who received this great "aid and comfort" that was to be had in her
efforts in transmitting these message of life ana hope, are gfateful for these relays.
The false charge of "treason" (for the Definition of TREASON as contained in the
U.S. Constitution ARTICLE III,SECTION 5, carries the charge of "giving aid and comfort
to the enemy") is based on her North African broadcasts which were harmless,and their
certainly was no"aid and comfort" given to the Germans in ali her radio activities.
I have been working very hard in the defense of Miss Giliars (whom the Department
of Justice has so"unfaiply" dubbed -Axis Sally) ana have some infiuential people
helping in the cause,i.e. former Congressman O'Connor of New York; Mr.Clark of the
New York NEWS,Congressman John C. Kunkel,etc. My wife and I listened-in and relayed
nearly ali the messages that "Midge" (Miss Giliars) read via the Berlin short-wave radio
during the Wgrand the thousands of letters of appreciation we have received testify to
thefact that Miss Gillars has rendered to the American people a priceless service
that can never be repaid.
The FBI and their “Alm meater",the Departemnt of Justice, are trying hard to carry
out the wishes of certain vindictive (revengeful) persons to "railroad" this girl to
life imprisonment, or even -DEATH. The TRUTH,in every respect in this case, is being
kept from the American public by the very Department which is supposed to protect the
| a ee eee
en eM ee ee
rights of every Americen citizen and uphold TRUTH and JUSTICE,
- ee ated
4s before stated, this letter is to acquaint yéi the magnificent work this
Girl has done. I believe that eventually the American public will know the reel
story and much good will come of the sustaining facts in her defense.
Thanking you for the courtesy you have given me in reading this letter,
I reamin
Respectfully yours,
Irwin ¥,. Bender.
(¥Yormerly of 124 N, 2nd Street,Oberlin,Pa.)
+ P.S, Remember to speak a good word for Miss Gillars as the triel araws near.Thank you.)
3786 Derry Street,
Harrisburg,Ps.
October 26,1948.
United States
Post Ofries Department,
Post Office,
Federel Building,
At (about) 8:00 A.M. on September 9th,1948, I mailed a letter, registered
with a return-receipt requested, to the following address:-
Miss Mildred 5. Gillars
c/o Distriet of Calumbia Jail,
WASHINGTON, DC
Your clerk at the “registry Window" informed me thet the letter would be
delivered or "we'll check up and find ovt why it isn't.”
At the end of one week,not having received the “return receipt”, ( end knowing
positively that Miss Gillars wes being held at the jail), I made inquiry at the
before-mentioned window and the sume clerkj=- complaining that "this is a definite
address and that letter should have been delivered long before this." He replied,- |
that postal rules gave"a l0-day period in which to mike contact", and that "a twoe : |
week period must elapse before a tracer could be put on it."
While these ere postal ruies,-I knew what was happening at the other end of
this “delivery”. So, just as was to be expected,- the letter was returned to me
at (about) 6:15 A.M. Tuesday September 21 st with a "penciled notation"---
"umable to locate" ig
They had purposely kept that letter at the other end of the "line" to
block any effort in contacting this"addressee". That was perfectly alright and they
were within the law. But why was the letter returned to me marked,-
“unable to locate" .sese?
That was a dastardly and I do not believe that this is listed in your
"POSTAL RULIS". If it is iv certainly is poor policy.
I em within my rights as an American citizen to demand a correct answer to
this request.
I want you to “trace” this letter from the "Registry window" ,vwhen it was
mailed Sept. 9,1948 until it reached the District of Columbia jail and find out
who and why it was rejected. (i.e. I certainly cannot accept the answer which
appeared on the letter in percil mark).
You have the records of this letter (undoubtedly on file). At least you shoula
have the “card” my wife signed when the letter was returned to me. She signed it
first in her name andi then in my name.
For a convincing "check-up" ,here is the number of the registered article:-
(Receipt for Registered articie ee WG 7 Sean )
The accompagying newspaper clipping will attest to the statement that Miss
Gillars was in the District of Columbia Jail since August.
Remember I paid the regulation price for this postal service and am certainly
entitled to “full benefits" as designated by law. Any “truthful" answer you can
set for me will be most certainly accepted for I must have a definite testimony
7 submit to Mr.James J. Laughlin,the defense attorney.
Respectfully, Irwin F. Bender,3786 Derry Street,Harrisburg,Pa.
October 1l¥,1948,
Mrse.Martin:-
This letter is just a check-up on the suspicions that
someone is intercepting my out-going mail.
Please let me know when you receive this letter.
Keep it confidential, please.
Thanks very much.
Respectfully yours,
Irwin F. Bender,
P: (ice cream man).
COWELL THOMAS
HAMMERSLEY HILL
PAWLING, NEW YORK
.
October 18, 1948
Dear Mr. Bender,
Many thanks for your letter
and all that interesting information.
Cordially,
JAMES J.LAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NATIONAL 200}
October 28, 1948
Mr. I. F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
I have been endeavoring to write you for some time
with regard to Miss Gillars' case, but I have been exceed-
ingly busy in court and have had to go out of town on
several occasions. We appreciate very much your interest
in the matter and will be very glad if you can furnish
us with the names of any persons who can be subpoenaed as
witnesses.
The case is tentatively set for November 15, but I
have serious doubt whether it can be reached on that date.
I filed a number of motions in Court yesterday. Perhaps
your local papers will give some details of their contents.
If there is any information which I can furnish you at any
time please let me know.
With all good wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
0. tig.
James J. Laughlin
JJL:ecb
JAMES J.LAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
5s NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. c.
NATIONAL 2001
October 29, 1948
Mr. I. F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Mrs. Gillars has asked me to write you to obtain
from you a list of soldiers who had some kmowledge of
Mrs. Gillars' broadcasts. She said she believes you had
such a list. If you have I would like to have it as com-
plete as possible with any addresses you might have.
We are filing a motion for continuance and also
a motion to require the Government to produce witnesses
at the expense of the United States, since Mrs. Gillars
is without funds. Such motion is supposed to be filed
by November 5th. Therefore your prompt attention to this
will be appreciated.
Thanking you, I an
Sincerely yours,
>.
‘James J. Laughlin
JdJL:ecb
OCTOBER 25, 1946,
3786 DERRY STREET,
HARRISBURG, PA.
UNITED FEATURES SYNDICATE,
220 East 48th Street,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sirs:-
Mrs.Anita Gray of the editowial staff, THE PATRIOT -& THE
EVENING NEWS, (Harrisourg,Pa.) info: me that I may secure the
"Washington, D.C." address of Mr.Westbrook Pegler py writing you a
request.
Their present Tilés do not contain an exact address.
I will appreciate your kinaness if you will furnish me
With the above mentioned address, and I remain
Respectfully yours,
Sar l / 5. Oleh ae
Irwin F. Bender,
Mr. Westbrook Pegler
c/o King Features Syndicate
235 East 45th Street
New York 17, N. Y.
Law OrFices
JAMES J. LAUGHLIN
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.c.
NATIONAL 2001
July 27, 1949
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
My dear Mr. Bender:
It was a pleasure to find your very cordial letter
in this morning's mail, as it reminds us that you were one
of the very few who wsselfishly cooperated with us in the
defense of Mildred Gillars. Your material is very impressive
and we feel that it was reversible legal error for its intro-
duction in evidence to be refused by the trial judge.
After discussing your letter with Mr. Laughlin we
have decided to request your permission to allow us to retain
your letters for a longer period. Although we are yet having
some technical legal difficulties, Miss Gillars' case is now
pending in the appeals court. Due to the summer vacation
it will probably not be heard until fall and we feel confident
the case will be reversed and of course your material will
then loom large in the defense and acquittal of Miss Gillars.
Let us assure you that your evidence is being kept
intact in a safe place, safe from possible theft or fire
damage.
My brother has asked to be remembered and reminds
me of the friendly courtesy which he was shown by you in
Harrisburg.
Please let us know if this request conforms to your
pleasure.
With all good wishes, I am
Sincerely,
‘ ; ae
William E, Owen
WEO secb
Ug Mr TAnES I. LAUVEHLIA
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHLIMETO”~
|
Sais eae
— (UP., AP. ancl Spruel yy, TIMES
prsprTedes ) Te US. CIRCUIT,
Bouter pe APPEAR DEM SE
EVERT ARGUS Fhe
FAVOR Hf * pees: TRLAG
oR MAIL DRED E: GILLARS
oF OBVIOUS L >»
THIS VERDICT |3 Cea
A p)E- STAMPED ORDER FROYy
hese iN RH Pesltidry oF
PRETUD)CED AUTHORITY WH
ORIGINALLY SOUGHT OT THIS
ty
GIRLS APPREHEXY SU dn AND
ma THE SPIE OFZ ./mnesereces
C00okED-UYUP A Fé iM
THE PATRIOT-NEWS CO. HOMER E, MOYER
PUBLISHERS GENERAL MANAGER
Che Patrint
and
Che Evening News
DEAN HOFFMAN HARRISBURG, PA.
EDITOR
March 22, 1949
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Absence from the office has delayed my acknowledging your
letter of March 13, in which you challenge the accuracy of our Mareh 12
comment on the "Axis Sally" verdict.
I think that on a technicality we will have to concede that
there is not one hundred percent accuracy in our statement that no-
body was shot for treason in the United States for 150 years, in view
of your allusion to the execution of John Brown. If we were wrigglers,
we might claim that the John Brown and the Axis Sally cases are in
two different catagories, because while treason is treason, Brown's
treason was "interns1" and Axis Sally was "external".
This is a distinction without a difference possibly, but it
was just that slight difference that threw the writer of the article
off guard. I can assure you that we all will be a little more
scrupulous in the future and hope to live up to our credo which you
brought to my attention.
I thank you very much for your letter and hope that under
any circumstances you will not hesitate to write to us.
Sincerely yours,
i
79 to He Ay
XY a F
DEAN HOFFMAN edges
EDITOR
as
Williem T. Ellis
3306 Valley Lrive
Alexandria, Vas
20 april 1949
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. benders
Your letter of March 20, 1949, has been forwarded to me
by the Sunday Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Your point of view and comuents on the "Axis Sally"
trial are very interesting. Although I cannot agree with your
statement that "modern civilization has never witnessed so great
‘un-American Activities' as staged by our Government," I found
your arguaents stimulating.
: I appreciate your interest in the article. Thank you
very much for writing.
Cordially,
hiittsn 7. Co
William T. Ellis
a
oh
ae.
JAMES J.LAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NATIONAL 2001
November 27, 1950
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Your letter addressed to Mrs. Brownell has been
brought to my attention.
Miss Gillars' conviction was affirmed on appeal
by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit. It was my thought to apply to the Supreme
Court of the United States for a writ of certiorari. How-
ever after the appeal was affirmed by the Court of Appeals
Miss Gillars stated that it was her desire that I participate
no longer in the case.
In order that her rights would be protected, I
asked the Court of Appeals to appoint an attorney in her
behalf. They refused to do that. I then informed the
Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States of the
receipt of her letter and suggested that steps be taken
in that Court to preserve her rights. As a matter of fact,
I did prepare a paper to safeguard the time limit. How-
ever Miss Gillars notified the Clerk of the Supreme Court
that the Clerk was to receive no papers from me. She ad-
vised that Court that she would obtain an attorney of her
selection. However she failed to do this and the time
for filing a petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme
Court expired. Under the existing statutes and rules of
court there is no way to effect a reinstatement of that
time limit. It is most unfortunate but I do not know of
anything that can be done.
I have in my storage room in my home a great
volume of letters which you turned over to us. Please
advise me if it is your desire that these letters be
returned to you.
Thanking you for writing and with kindest regards,
IT am
Very truly yours,
JJL:ecb Y James J. Leughlin
KENNETH S. WHERRY, NEBR., CHAIRMAN
GEORGE A. WILSON, IOWA
HOMER E. CAPEHART, IND.
HARRY P. CAIN, WASH.
EDWARD MARTIN, PA.
IRVING M. IVES, N. Y.
ZALES N. ECTON, MONT.
JAMES E. MURRAY, MONT.
ALLEN J. ELLENDER, LA,
GLEN H. TAYLOR, IDAHO
‘SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, FLA.
WILLIAM B. UMSTEAD, N. C.
Wnited States Senate
GEORGE F. MEREDITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
een eee eee Special Committee to Study Problems of
American Small Business
April 12, 1949
Mr. Irwin F, Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
Thank you for your letter of
April fourth, in which you express the opinion that Miss
Gillars is innocent of the charge of Treason,
As you undoubtedly are aware,
the guilt or innocence of a person in a criminal action
is not one over which the U. S. Congress has jurisdiction.
The Judicial branch of government has the responsibility
of seeing that justice is done under the Constitution.
If, as you indicate, Miss Gillar's Constitutional rights
have been violated, she may appeal the decision to the
highest Court in the land. This, I presume, she intends
to do,
It was very kind of you to
write to me about the matter.
With best wishes, believe me
Sincerely yours,
Eh gulp
EDWARD MARTIN
| ¥-36029
Law Orrices
JAMES J. LAUGHLIN
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NATIONAL 2001
January 18, 1949
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pemsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
With further reference to our conversation on the
telephone last night, I desire to state that I today talked
with Miss Gillars and all arrangements have been made for
the opening of the trial Monday, January 24th in United
States District Court before Hon. Edward M. Curran.
I have before me report of the various broadcasts to
be used in evidence. It is very difficult for me to see
how any jury could take the position that these broadcasts
were treasonable to the extent that they gave aid and comfort
to the enemy. Of course, safeguards will have to be taken in
order to get an unbiased and unprejudiced jury insofar as we
are able to do so. If you omit from the context the anti-
Jewish statements and the anti-Roosevelt statements, clearly
there would be nothing in the broadcasts that would approach
treason in any respect. Therefore it will be our job to con-
vince the jury that it is not a crime to be anti-Semetic nor
is it a crime to be anti-Roosevelt.
Unquestionably the Department of Justice has assembled
broadcasts that it deemed most prejudicial to Miss Gillars
and those broadcasts which they felt reasonably sure would
bring about her conviction. Therefore it occurs to me that
there were many other broadcasts that would be highly favorable
insofar as our defense is concerned. Miss Gillars is of the
view that you have either these broadcasts or the substance
of them. If you do have, I would be very much obliged to
you to let me hear from you at the earliest possible date.
Thanking you and with kindest regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
we 4 Q.
James J. Laughlin
JJL:ecb
JAMES J.LAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. Cc.
NATIONAL 2001
February 22, 1949
Dear “p, Bender:-
This will introduce Mr. Jason J. Owen
who is assisting me in Miss Gillars defense.
It will be appreciated if you will turn
the material over to him as Iwould like to make use of it
tomorrow before Miss Gillars takes the stand. TI had hoped to
come to Harrisburg with Mr.Qwen but it is necessary that I
talk with Miss Gillars at the jail this afternoon so that I may
prepare her for the witness stand. I hope though to see you before
the case ends.
Everything is coming along splendidly and
we are quite optimistic.
With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Irving F. Bender
5786 Derry St.
Harrisburg, Pae
Jon J tans, EL Wlnited Biates Henafe
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
March 23, 1950
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pemsylvania
Dear Mr. Benders
This will acknowledge your letter of
March eighteenth.
A letter addressed to the Honorable
Herbert Hoover, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, New York City,
should reach him.
With best wishes, I an
Sincerely yours,
Led nyt
WALTER F. GEORGE, GA., CHAIRMAN
TOM CONNALLY, TEX. EUGENE D. MILLIKIN, COLO,
HARRY FLOOD BYRD, VA. ROBERT A. TAFT, OHIO
EDWIN C. JOHNSON, COLO. HUGH BUTLER, NEBR.
CLYDE R. HOEY, N.C. EDWARD MARTIN, PA.
TALLENFREAR, JR, DEL. RALPH E. FLANDERS, VT. Wnitera DGlates Henate
ELIZABETH B. SPRINGER, CHIEF CLERK
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
November 18, 1952
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Penna.
Dear Mr. Bender:
I received your letter of November 12th
and have this day written to Attorney James J.
Laughlin, requesting that he return your correspondence.
I will keep you advised.
With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
~~
EDWARD IN
JAMES J. LAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NATIONAL 2001
November 21, 1952
Mr. Irwin F. Bender
3786 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Bender:
I have finally located all of the material you
sent to me. I am having a colored man pack it care-
fully and we will ship it to you on November 24th or
25th by freight or express I am sure you will have
it by the end of the week.
Thanking you and with kindest regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
Pama tpt
Jemes J, Laughlin
JJL:ecb
COPY
JAMES J. LAUGHLIN
Attorney and Counsellor at Law
National Press Building
Washington, D. C.
NAtional 2001
December 5, 1952
Hon, Edward Martin
United States Senate
Washington, D. C.
Dear Senator Martin:
Due to the press of work, this is the
first opportunity I have had to reply to your letter of November 18,
1952, enclosing letter from Mr. Bender.
We have always appreciated the very fine
cooperation that Mr. Bender extended to us in the trial of Mildred
Gillars. The material that he forwarded to us was placed in
the storage room at my house since I did not have adequate
storage in the office,
I have had the material securely packed,
and I have left instructions with the colored man to forward the
material to Mr. Bender at Harrisburg, and I am sure he will
receive it within the next few days.
Your interest in the matter is very
much appreciated, Thanking you, and with kindest regards, I am,
Very truly yours,
s/ James J, Laughlin
JJL: FH
copy by sr
February 18,1959
4786 Derry Street
Harrisburg,Pe.
U.S.Perole Board
Washington,D.C.
Dear Sirs:- .
The enclosed "Answesaved Press" item is @ sample of the
wanton "propaganda" they have displeyea in attempting to belittle,
degrade,ond disgrace this helpless prisoner. All through the flimsy, Y
home-cooked,so called "treason trial” the Associated Press accentuated
every word and item against thésdefendant end gave nothing to relieve
any e situation that wes sure to rest heavy in the minds of
our society. Small wonder then that this prisoner refused to have
her name come up for parole having the knowledge thet the ghoulish
spirit of the "Associated Press" would stalk every footstep she
made outside the gates of Alderson and distort everything she said
and did to mike life unbearable.
She would heve no one to vouch for her sinee her only living
relative is her sister,Mrs. Reid Herrick living in Ashtabula,Ohio,
She would not want to impose upon her since the newspaper items would
be sure to undermine everything constructive thet would be attempted
in re-habilitating her.
Take note in the clipping of the defamatory extra remarks, -
"Nazi Germany's Axis Sally" and the conelusion,-"no reason for her
decision was given". The Associated Press knows "the reason" but they
sit in the tyrant's throne and turn thumbs down on one strugeling for ta)
readjustment.
As members of the United St: tes Parole Board it is naturally
your wish thet anyone you recgormend for this transition be successful
in their return to society. AAA deen in constant contact with
the prisoner's sister,who has informed me that Miss Gillers believes
her best situation will be for a pardon or fulfill her "so-called"
debt to spciety in serving out the unfair sentence, saad”
that trgmendous pressure was put on "railroading"her in a most unfair
trial” sugeest that any future action you take én_ paroling prisoners
be accompenied with instructions for the newspapers’ either assist in
reestablishing the person or refraining from degrading the subjest
and make the situation impossible.
Thanking you for your kind attention I am
Respectfully yours,
E. E. ALDERMAN
434 GRAND AVE.
DAYTON, OHIO
Mr. Irwin F. Bender Dayton, 5, Ohio
3786 Derry St., - Sept. 6, 1948
Harrisburg, Penna,
Dear Mr. Bender -
Your Sept. 5 special-delivery letter came this moming, and person-
ally I was pleased to hear from you again after so long a time.
I am sorry that you have become involved in the coming trial of "Midge". As
for myself I have a strong aversion to my name becoming connected with that case.
In the first place, I could not quelify as a witness: either for, or against the
defendent for I could not identify her by sight. Also I am sure she used an
affected-voice to convince listeners she was a girl of about 25 years of age, and
I could not identify her by her natural voice.
While it is true I never found error in p.o.w. announcements as to names,
ranks, serial numbers, etc., from Midge, or any other announcers from the Tokyo,
Berlin, and Rome stations, as later verified by the families of p.o.w. and others,
yet this true information was given as "bait" for listeners to believe that the
propaganda talks were also more or less true.
So Midge became part of the whole wheel of propaganda from the Berlin station,
- - and for the month she broadcasted from the Rome station to our service-men then
on the North African coast, she gave purely propaganda talks, urging our men to
give themselves up as p.o.w. and be taken to Germany where they wuld be welcomed by
the German girls, who she said, were something special. Of course our men were too
smart to fall for that kind of talk, and when they met the Nazis and Italians they
gave them a good shellacing.
As for the name Axis Sally, or Mildred Gillars, I never heard of those names
until sometime after the war ended. The word, Axis Sally, might have been the
invention of some newspaper writer. The prinicpal female announcer from Berlin
was always introduced by herself or others, by the simple name of MIDGE. There
was an occasional broadcast by another female whose name I do not recall, but I
had the impression she was a British subject due to accent of her voice.
No, I do not wish my name to be connected with the coming trial in any way,
and I wish to drop out of the lime-light of the generous publicity I got during
the war, I thought I did a patriotic job by passing along to many families what
I had heard over short-wave about their boys, and without adding any of the
propaganda on the same broadcasts following the p.o.w. announcements. Practically
all the families sent grateful thanks which I appreciated....and then when the war
ended, my interest in this ceased.
I could not testify in behalf of Midge as I did not consider it exactly
patriotic for any U.S. citizen to connect herself with the Nazi propaganda machine,
and it was my opinion that she hoped the Nazis would win and that her assistance
would benefit her for a good official position after victory.
There have been, and still are, too many U.S. citizens who treat their
patriotism too lightly.....that goes for some men even in high positions. Midge
has probably had time to reflect the error of her rash and hasty decision to
collaborate with the Nazis; it probably also touched her vanity to be associated
with men high up in that machine.
a
Yes, Ruth Montgomery of the National Press Association phoned me from
Washington the afternoon of Sept. 2. She asked if I thought Axis Sally was a
traitor. I told her I knew the principal female announcer from the Berlin station |
only as Midge, and did not know if they were one and the same person. As to the
word traitor, - that was too strong a word for me to use against anybody before
trial. I told her what Midge did and she could form her own opinions.... also that
I wished no publicity or quotes of my remarks.
Despite this, a local newspaper phoned me last Friday night, Sept. 3, that a
press-release had come into their office on a coast to coast teletype connecting my
name with this case. I do not know just whet this press-report said and if you
have a clipping, wish you would mail it to me, ‘Thanks.
I do not wish, or expect to go to Washington. I do not see how I could be
of much benefit to the case. Anyway, I am not in thdbe st of health to go.
Thanks for your welfare inquiry about my daughter ami soninlaw. I am sorry
to say that he died last September from a fungus-growth in his lungs probably
contacted on the jungle islands of the Far Pacific. My daughter is now with our
aunts in California.
My friendly suggestion is that you withdraw quickly and gracefully from
connection with this Midge case, for no matter how careful you may try to be,
your remarks or opinions may be mis-quoted to the embarrassment of yourself, your
wife, and friends. |
Mrs. Alderman and I send you and Mrs. Bender our best regards and hope that |
we will meet you some day, ~ ; :
Sincerely yours,
EE Meenas
DAYTON, OHIC 4
Zone ;
. ~ Jane-15,. 1964
Dear friend Irwin - _ } : ol sak
= . I was very -please@+te receive your Ymas Bey letter telling in
detail ‘how you are heving the same experience on short wave as I have.had-for a
month er so, Since the Greenville, N.C., and the Bethany, Ohie V ef.A staiens
started eperatiens they have paralized the short wave band, I have tried each
dey on. ery nee we eve wiarats which enera%e te ‘get easily and they are dromed et.
ze nine been"se mad that ianaeall times I ses almest decided te in the
Voice ef *America*er the F,C.C., bani there ere more meres in their eutfits than
in Russia and Cabs combined, ~ ‘ts ; ; Fs
There are too many Veice ef America statiens in the first plaee,....Last night
I get & er’ 5 of them in the 9000 k.¢,. band alese, Phe Bethany station just took ever
the wave length ‘ef Berne, Switzerlend; which until a memth ase, always. cane on
clear and streng at 8:30 pm EST fer-half Rear, PF ~¢ .
Bat°Ete tee eld te earry om a fight with F.C;C. er write-my | Senators, -and hepe
you yeunger ‘fellows will ests, “~ this: has: anperines ‘my pleasure os an. minast-s
shut-in. new, 7°": Aal ai irre eh « * F
In the first place the Voice of America sheuld have “y's ene trarmukttor, ~
like the Europeane have in eseh country,» and bhis ene.transmitter shevld net be
lecated if er near big populatien-centers where se many persens like myself enjey
shert-wave, < wut sheutd be~leeated on the tep-ef seme Tenneseee mountain, -. fer
from big cities, pOtRY ae ‘
Thece “heels" in Washingtem never give a theught that. 99° percent-ef the
peeple i Europe are seund asleep after 7 pm our time EST..s.eIf they de, then ,
they are determined that no receptions ceme:frem Eurepe at any heur. . I wuld ,
think the gevernments in Eurepe would seen let eut a terrible complaint, er among
themselves decide te thereughly "jamb" the Veiee:ef. America... And anether- thing,
the junk and beleney ‘on V ef A breadcasts is fit enly fer merens....oin Eurepe, -
and maybe they will get mad tee that Sher ganmet listen te anything but V ef A,
There are a millien "ham" licensed eperaters in U.S,, who now and then like
to listen te fereign progrems..,. Well, they might get mad tee and gang up on
V of A statiens, which I knew they can de by adjusting their em transmitters
te V ef A wave-lengths with clackity clack stuff end riding their stuff en V of A
air-waves.,.cee.. just like the "hams" in Guataname Bay did en the Havana station....
and the ones in Panama did en the Mexice City statien a year er se age, i sppose
yeu understadd what I mean,
This V ef A extfit has really built up a big erganizatien, cemplete with a
propaganda chief te tell eur sitizens what a real service they de for U.S,....but
really their phrpese te keep 2 let ef bums en the steak and petatees payrell at
the big expense ef the U.S, _baxpayerse
Ido get Lendon and Ugntreal at the noen heur in the 15,000 ke band for an
heur er se.... and then all gees dead, At 10 pm I get Havana fairly goed in
English lenguage at 6,135 ke, And of ell places, fer four steright nights about
7 pm I get Peking, Chine in English language just belew Mexice City in the 9000 ke
band, but me mere; that was two weeks age, Of eourse I always get every night
Veice ef the Andes, frem Quite, Educater at tep ef the 9000 ke wand, - clear and
=e
etreng 8S ever,... that is the ehurch entfit with, their hymns and reliegieus talks,
I guess V ef A has net yet feund a way to drewn them eut, er take pity because
their statien is harmless, a)
After Greenville and Bethany statiens started, I drepped dew te 6000 ke band
end got Londen, Lisbon, Pertugal, and some ether 8S, American statien, ut they
are alse jambed new....<and only ene in thet band I get is Havana at 10 pm EST,
We used to hear-Mossew'on several wave-lengtha;-clear and streng, but they
are completely gene, except last night I get them-clear and streng abeut 9 pm EST.
at_7250 ke apprex, ait ont Be “ ‘ ‘
. Eurepeen statiend{ get regularly, like Madwid, Benn, Hilversan-(Helland),
Brussels, Rome, Guatmala City, Buenes Aires, Londen, HMescew, and Budapest (Hungary)
are now ¢empletely silemt.-" But as"I said, I get Lendon and »M,ntvea}-at -neen
heur only. As fer Tekye, have net received thet statien since ond of war.
There are numereus ether statiens I used to get when conditiens,were.goed, that
are ne mere,
I have turned my dial te the 1,000-ke band te listen te "ham"-eperaters, -
put new their misrephenes seemiso bad i cannot understand whet is said, -unless,
it happens te be a ham station talking in this area, +
Maybe the*Bell Tejephene Company with their orbiting satavlite. re-preadcagtirg
ef telephone talks and TV programs fren Europe, ‘will eventually help the >
shert-wave listeners in U.S, get their pregrams frem Eurepe, and cancel eut
what V ef A is deing te us,
Your Halierafter set is abeut the best make fer shert-wave evtainable, -- and
if yeu can't get shert-wave en it, then “nebedy else oan with what they have, .-
As yeu say, it is a shame te spoil the fun ef mony “peeple- after spending se
much en sew, sets, oe
_ I de hepe you will continue the bat tle-with- these: government’ "heels".....
ané fully inferm yeur Senaters.... and yeu might evén- write Pres. Jehnson he
ean save a let ef. psy-rel] meney by firing~th le entfit, - «
e ° $ > a4 * “ ‘
-Let me hear from yeu again geenr...o.
eves “ PAW Ae oe A ‘ " af
Kindest. regards; hig Ome -
Sineerely yours,
ee ee me odin, Alderman, |
