◆ SpookStack

WFO 161-2419 WALDROP predicted that FORTAS would soon fall into an unexpected physical decline and suddenly become unfit for military service. A copy of this article is enclosed as Exhibit B, The December 14, 1943, edition of the "Washington Post" newspaper contained an article entitled "Navy Releases FORTAS Tor Eye Ailment", The articke revealed FORTAS had been discharged from the Navy for physical reasons after serving one month as an apprentice seaman, It was stated that Secretary of the Interior ICKES in a statement had said that FORTAS had an arrested case of ocular tuberculosis and had spent all except one day of his term at Camp Sampson, New York, Training Station, in the hospital, The article revealed that FORTAS had been in and out of the Navy twice inYtwo months! period, Until October he was kept out of the service by intercession by Secretary ICKES and President ROCSEVET'T on the ground he was necessary in his job, After congressional criticism, ICKES and ROOSEVELT withdrey their objections and FORTAS volunteered for induction in the Navy. The day he reported, ICKES persuaded the Navy to give him a 30-dax leave to head a mission of the Petroleum Reserves Corporation to the Middle East, Mission was delayed in leaving and FORTAS resigned and entered the Navy and was shipped to Camp Sampson. The article stated that the Navy said that a veszular medical examining board made this finding concerning NORTAS 3 "This man is not qualified for retention and was not qualified for enlistment in the U, S, naval service," The files of the House Committee on Un-American Activites contained a list of members of the Washington Committee for Democratic Action, date not indicated, which container the folowing names: Po Mr, and Mrs. ABE FORTAS, 13@0 20th Street, N, W., MI 1905, Po Attached to this list was a memorandum cated Maveh J, 1977, which revealed the membership list was furnished to the Dies Committee in 1941, by the Metropolitan Poltes Danartment, and the Committes could not vouch for its accuracy, - 10+ b7C