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Pernt ea Wien : that Fannie Hurst, the novelist, Jessica Dragonette, the singer, and ta Peter Grinnm, President of the “Yow York State. Chamber of Commerce, had disassociated themselves fron the crganization, having satisfied them selves that it was a Communist front. The literature of the organization listed these latter three a8 eponsors. Another article in the "New York World Telegram" on dpril 17, 1947, reported that Imigt Antonini, President of the Italian American Labor Council and Head of the Italian Dressmakers Union, had desewibed this organization as "a cover for Communiat activity" and had atated that ASCRI was collecting relief funds "to be distri- buted in Italy to the so-called Union of Italian Women", sald to be headed by Rita Togliatti, wife of the Italian Communist leader. In connection with submitting ita request for the investigation of ASCRI, the Department submitted a memorandum prepared by Judith Coplon, convicted Russian espionage conspirator, dated May 8, 1947, who was then in the Foreign Agents Registration Section, which pointed cut that she had been informed on that date by Mr. Antonio A. Mococei on the Italian Desk in the Office of International Information and Oulturel Affaire of the Department of State, that there is a group in Italy corresponding to subject organization in this country. Further, that Mococcl suggested determining how subject organization in this country succeeded in having Count Carlo Sforza act as its honorary chairmen when the corresponding group 1n Italy appeared to be composed entirely of Communists, This organization was established in New York in December, 1946, and described iteelf as a "non-pertivan, non-sectarian, membership organization, set up to develop close cultural ties with the democratic people cf the New Italian Republic". It proposed the exchange of educational data between America and Italy, the exchange of students, artists and others, and the setting up of ite own publication. This organization wae attacked as a cover for Communist activities. Its Board of Directors, officers and sponsors included individuals with prior association with alleged Communist dominated organizations, Its publicity.agent resigned charging the organization's aim was to combat "ea awing to the Right in the United States". sn informant reported that Bella Dodd, a member of the Communist Party National Comittee, was instrumental in setting up the organization.