Why was a national communications system important to the development of a truly national economy?

Page 2

Senator Long. I am sorry Mr. Murrow cannot be here today. Perhaps he might make himself available to us when he returns. Where is he right now?

Mr. WILSON. He is in Nicosia, Cyprus, at the present moment. Then he is going to Paris and Bonn, London, Berlin. He will be back the 18th of August, Senator Long.

Senator Long. We would like to have his opinion on some of these matters that we are looking into. In connection with your statement, is this approved by Mr. Murrow?

Mr. WILSON. Yes, it is.

Senator LONG. Is it correct that one of the principal themes in Soviet propaganda is that capitalist countries such as the United States act to promote the interests of monopolies rather than the interests of people?

Mr. Wilson. Yes, sir; I would say it is.

Senator Long. I had prepared by the Library of Congress a statement explaining the general trend of Communist propaganda in that direction which I will place in the record following your testimony.

Senator Long. You are familiar with the fact that it is a very much used line of Communist propaganda that this is a monopolistic Nation and that most of our policies are dedicated to help the few exploit the many?

Mr. Wilson. Yes, sir.

Senator Long. If a communications system largely developed with public funds is given to one very large company or small group of companies as a chosen instrument of the United States, would that seem to confirm or corroborate the Communist claims in the eyes of the world? Mr. WILSON. Well, sir, my feeling on this is, as follows:

That, certainly, is a major Communist theme. However, another major Communist theme is that Government projects of this nature are, in fact, even though run by the Government, controlled by large business and monopolies in this country.

I think, therefore, that the Communists would attack us either way we were in this system. In fact, I think the more effectively we institute the system, the more available we made it to the rest of the world, the more likely we would be to be attacked with harshness, whether it was under the Government or under private ownership.

I therefore feel that we should determine what is the right thing to do and from this particular point of view not make our decision on the basis of which way the Communists will attack us, because I am sure they will attack us with equal vigor each way.

Senator Long. I take it, then, that you do not think that Communist propaganda hits a little harder if there happens to be something to it.

In other words, if the Communists are just lying, you think it has the same impact as if what they are saying has a substantial element of truth to it?

Mr. Wilson. No, sir.

I think propaganda is always more effective, even when coming from the Communists, if there is an element of truth in it.

Page 2

Senator LONG. I am sorry Mr. Murrow cannot be here today. Perhaps he might make himself available to us when he returns. Where is he right now?

Mr. WILSON. He is in Nicosia, Cyprus, at the present moment. Then he is going to Paris and Bonn, London, Berlin. He will be back the 18th of August, Senator Long.

Senator LONG. We would like to have his opinion on some of these matters that we are looking into. In connection with your statement, is this approved by Mr. Murrow?

Mr. WILSON. Yes; it is.

Senator LONG. Is it correct that one of the principal themes in Soviet propaganda is that capitalist countries such as the United States act to promote the interests of monopolies rather than the interests of people?

Mr. WILSON. Yes, sir; I would say it is.

Senator LONG. I had prepared by the Library of Congress a statement explaining the general trend of Communist propaganda in that direction which I will place in the record following your testimony:

Senator Long. You are familiar with the fact that it is a very much used line of Communist propaganda that this is a monopolistic Nation and that most of our policies are dedicated to help the few exploit the many?

Mr. WILSON. Yes, sir.

Senator Long. If a communications system largely developed with public funds is given to one very large company or small group of companies as a chosen instrument of the United States, would that seem to confirm or corroborate the Communist claims in the

eyes

of the world? Mr. WILSON. Well, sir, my feeling on this is, as follows:

That, certainly, is a major Communist theme. However, another major Communist theme is that Government projects of this nature are, in fact, even though run by the Government, controlled by large business and monopolies in this country.

I think, therefore, that the Communists would attack us either way we were in this system. In fact, I think the more effectively we institute the system, the more available we made it to the rest of the world, the more likely we would be to be attacked with harshness, whether it was under the Government or under private ownership.

I therefore feel that we should determine what is the right thing to do and from this particular point of view not make our decision on the basis of which way the Communists will attack us, because I am sure they will attack us with equal vigor each way.

Senator LONG. I take it, then, that you do not think that Communist propaganda hits a little harder if there happens to be something to it.

In other words, if the Communists are just lying, you think it has the same impact as if what they are saying has a substantial element of truth to it?

Mr. WILSON. No, sir.

I think propaganda is always more effective, even when coming from the Communists, if there is an element of truth in it.