Speaker. I have in the last few days received a number of communications from my constituents calling upon me to use my influence to halt what they term the persecution and prosecution of a group of distinguished Americans whose only crime is that they are engaged in humanitarian and democratic work. I refer to the contempt charges against officers of the Joint AntiFascist Refugee Committee. the Council of AmericanSoviet Friendship. and the Federation for Constitutional Liberties. Today the Washington Post carries a fullpage advertisement under the signature of leading Americans appealing to us to come to the support of the 21 individuals under attack. and also outlining the basis for their position. These men and women are not in contempt of Congress.