Hedda Hopper Show 50-02-15 (x) Guest - Richard Nixon

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Hedda Hopper Show 50-02-15 (Guest: Richard Nixon)

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, originally broadcast in February 1950, features famed gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in a candid interview with Congressman Richard Nixon. The conversation swiftly moves from political controversies—most notably the Alger Hiss case and accusations of communist infiltration in government—to Nixon’s personal life and his upcoming California Senate campaign. The episode provides a snapshot of Red Scare-era anxieties, Republican political strategy, and the era's media tone, all delivered with the informal, brisk manner typical of Hopper's style.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Alger Hiss Case and President Truman's "Red Herring" Comment

• Truman’s Dismissal of Hiss Case
  Hedda Hopper immediately steers the conversation to President Truman's 1948 dismissal of the Alger Hiss investigation as a "red herring." Nixon recounts the specifics of Truman’s comments and criticizes the President for not acknowledging the investigation’s legitimacy after Hiss was convicted.

  “That afternoon the President had a press conference... said that it was simply a red herring... simply for political purposes, to take the minds of the people off of the real issues of the campaign.”
  —Richard Nixon (00:51)

• Nixon's Call for an Apology and Transparency Nixon points out that with Hiss’s conviction, Truman should acknowledge the committee's achievements and apologize for the earlier "red herring" accusation.

  “It seems to me... the least the President should do is... say... he may have felt that at one time it was a red herring, but now that the facts had come out... he was glad... this sinister conspiracy had been exposed.”
  —Richard Nixon (01:47)

2. Communist Infiltration in the State Department

• Need for Congressional Investigation Both speakers express concern over communist infiltration, arguing for open investigations and greater transparency from the Truman administration.

  “I think... the committees of Congress... should investigate the charges of communism... the President should cooperate... by turning over information regarding the loyalty checks.”
  —Richard Nixon (02:52)

• Call for Presidential Cooperation Nixon alleges the executive branch has withheld information.

  “If their house is clean, they should not refuse to do as they have refused in the past to turn over the information to the Congress.”
  —Richard Nixon (03:22)

3. Dean Acheson’s Alleged Support for Alger Hiss

• Winchell’s Accusation Hopper references columnist Walter Winchell’s claim that Secretary of State Dean Acheson contributed financially to Hiss's defense.

  “Do you believe... that Dean Acheson contributed $25,000 towards the defense of Alger Hiss?”
  —Hedda Hopper (03:49)

• Nixon's Response Nixon considers the charges plausible and deems them worth investigating, linking Acheson’s continued defense of Hiss to possible law-firm ties.

  “That charge should bear investigation... because that may be one of the reasons why Mr. Acheson... has constantly defended Mr. Hiss…”
  —Richard Nixon (04:00)

4. Defense of the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover

• Attacks on the FBI Hopper raises rumors about attempts to remove Hoover; Nixon asserts that attacks on the FBI come from communists and “soft-headed liberals.”

  “The communists, the pro communists, the fellow travelers and a lot of the soft headed liberals are attempting to attack the FBI...”
  —Richard Nixon (04:43)

• FBI’s National Importance Nixon argues a congressional investigation of the FBI would threaten national security, with Hopper expressing her agreement.

  “When the time comes in this country when an investigation of the FBI is made... a deadly blow will have been struck at the security forces of our country.”
  —Richard Nixon (05:06)

5. Espionage Cases: Klaus Fuchs and Government Inaction

• Missed Opportunities A detailed discussion of how ignored warnings in the Hiss case may have aided convicted atomic spy Klaus Fuchs.

  “Chambers first made his charges to Burley in 1939... [he] consulted with Dean Acheson... did not investigate further. Now, had he gone further... a body blow might have been struck at this conspiratorial ring then.”
  —Richard Nixon (06:06)

• Existence of Atomic Conspiracies Nixon suggests atomic espionage involved multiple accomplices and points to academics’ refusal to answer congressional questions as proof.

  “The Communists don't operate as lone wolves. They operate in packs... six [atomic] scientists... refused to answer questions... any answer... would incriminate them.”
  —Richard Nixon (07:11)

6. Defense and Role of the House Un-American Activities Committee

• Endurance Amid Criticism Nixon describes service on the Committee as difficult but essential to uncovering communist conspiracies.

  “Being a member of that committee... is something I wouldn't wish off on any of my friends... If [it] had not been in existence, Alger Hiss would be free today.”
  —Richard Nixon (08:20)

• Need for Fair Procedures Nixon stresses the importance of protecting the innocent from unwarranted accusations.

  “It is essential that we have good procedures, that we protect the innocent... But... facts... should be brought to the American public...”
  —Richard Nixon (08:50)

7. Nixon’s California Senate Campaign

• Managing Dual Responsibilities Nixon details campaigning challenges due to his duties in Washington and the benefits of modern air travel.

  “All that I can say is that I'm glad that this is the age of aircraft, because I do have the opportunity to fly back and forth from Washington...”
  —Richard Nixon (09:19)

• Appealing to Women Voters Nixon jokes he needs not just grandmothers but all women on his side, explaining how campaign issues will be reframed in terms relevant to housewives.

  “We're going to talk in terms of the two dollar tax on a ten dollar lady's purse... things which the ordinary American housewife is interested in.”
  —Richard Nixon (09:51)

• The Burden of Taxes Hopper and Nixon commiserate over household taxation, particularly affecting families with babies.

  “Do you know that there's a tax on everything that a baby uses from the diaper up and down?”
  —Hedda Hopper (10:35)
  “My wife constantly tells me about going down to the drugstore, buying some baby powder, paying a tax on it. You see, she's tax conscious.”
  —Richard Nixon (10:47)

8. Nixon’s Personal Anecdotes

• Injuring Both Arms Nixon recounts the story of breaking both arms while protecting his child during a fall in Washington.

  “I was walking on some icy steps in Washington... slipped and fell. I was carrying, incidentally, our oldest child... took the blow on my elbows. Cracked both of them.”
  —Richard Nixon (11:08)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Investigations:
  “If their house is clean, they should not refuse... to turn over the information to the Congress...” (Nixon, 03:22)

• On the House Un-American Activities Committee:
  “It's something I wouldn't wish off on any of my friends... If the Committee... had not been in existence, Alger Hiss would be free today...” (Nixon, 08:20)

• On Taxes and Housewives:
  “We're going to talk in terms of the two dollar tax on a ten dollar lady's purse...” (Nixon, 09:51)

• On Espionage and Conspiracies:
  “The Communists don't operate as lone wolves. They operate in packs...” (Nixon, 07:11)

• Closing Note:
  “When we have a little more time, I think I can give you some inside information on some of these developments that may be even more shocking than what we've talked about here.” (Nixon, 11:55)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Truman’s “Red Herring” and Alger Hiss – 00:31–02:35
• Communists in the State Department – 02:35–03:49
• Dean Acheson Allegations – 03:49–04:37
• Attacks on J. Edgar Hoover/FBI – 04:37–05:47
• The Fuchs Spy Case and Consequences of Inaction – 05:47–08:06
• Defending HUAC & Congressional Procedures – 08:06–09:10
• Nixon’s California Senate Campaign – 09:10–10:47
• Personal Anecdote: Breaking Both Arms – 11:04–11:35
• Outro Remarks: Nixon Promises More Inside Insights – 11:55–12:08

---

Tone and Style

The episode blends political gravity with personal warmth and informal banter. Hopper’s direct, sometimes playful questioning, paired with Nixon’s measured yet candid responses, give listeners a vivid sense of the period’s political climate—marked by suspicion of communist infiltration and energetic Republican counter-attack—while occasionally leavening the intensity with humor and relatable anecdotes.

---

This summary captures the episode’s essence, key insights, and memorable moments, providing a concise guide for those seeking to understand the conversation between Hedda Hopper and a rising Richard Nixon at a pivotal moment in American history.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

And Doug, here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Dick]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts.

[Interviewer]

Hello, Dick. Oh, it's wonderful of you to stop by on your rush to the airport to come in and see me.

[Dick]

Well, it's a real pleasure to be here, you can be sure.

[Interviewer]

Oh, well, it's grand. Well, I want to ask you some very impertinent questions. How do you feel about Harry Truman's statement that all this Alger Hiss chambers was red herring?

[Dick]

Well, I suppose I would be inclined to be a bit prejudiced as far as that statement was concerned, but I would like to point out that the. The President first made that statement in direct reference to the Alger Hiss case itself. He made the statement On August 5, 1948, on the day that Alger Hiss came before the Committee on UN American Activities and denied knowing Whitaker Chambers and further denied that he had ever been a communist or was a communist at that time. That afternoon the President had a press conference, was asked about the investigations being conducted by the committee, said that it was simply a red herring and, and that as far as anything the committee was bringing out that it wasn't bringing out anything the government hadn't known throughout the years before. He said that we were simply doing it incidentally for purposes, for political purposes, to take the minds of the people off of the real issues of the campaign.

[Interviewer]

Well, tell me, Dick. Oh, that's very interesting. But tell me, has Truman eaten that red herring yet?

[Dick]

Well, I've understood that it's been well cooked and fried and presented to him, but he still doesn't seem willing to eat the red herring and to apologize to the committee and the American people for declaring that the investigation was a red herring. It seems to me incidentally that in that connection that the fact that since Mr. Hiss has been convicted as of perjury of lying when he said he did not turn over these secret State Department documents to Whitaker Chambers, that the least the President should do is to say that he may have felt that at one time it was a red herring, but now that the facts had come out that he was glad that the American people knew the facts and that this sinister conspiracy had been exposed for what it was because had the committee not been in existence, these facts would not have come out.

[Interviewer]

Well, I agree with you 100%, but being a Republican, I'm afraid a lot of people would think I was prejudiced, but I'm not. And what do you think about the commies in the State Department? Do you think that they should be named and their names should be brought out in the opening?

[Dick]

Well, my answer to that would be this. I think that the committees of Congress, the Committee on American Activities on the House side and the Judiciary Committee and other committees on the Senate side should investigate the charges of communism and communist fellow travelers within the State Department. And I think that the President should cooperate with those committees by turning over information regarding the loyalty checks which have been made by the administrative branch of the government. Now, I think we will all note that the President recently and various State Department officials have said we ask anybody to prove that there are communists within the State Department. If they really mean that, I think that they should take the initiative. And if their house is clean, they should not refuse to do as they have refused in the past to turn over the information to the Congress so that the Congress can investigate the facts and present the facts to the American people.

[Interviewer]

Oh, I think that's great. Well, do you believe, as Walter Winchell said the other day, that Dean Acheson contributed $25,000 towards the defense of Alger Hiss?

[Dick]

Well, I haven't had a chance personally to check the charge that Walter Winchell has made. I do know that there were rumors which were around Washington during both Hiss trials that contributions had been made by members of the Acheson law firm and had been solicited by members of that firm for Mr. Hisse's defense. It would seem to me in any event that in view of the fact that Mr. Winchell has made that charge, that the charge should bear investigation. Because that may be one of the reasons why Mr. Acheson, even as Secretary of State, has constantly defended Mr. Hiss time and time and again, even during the trials and after the conviction.

[Interviewer]

And tell me what about this rumor that they've been trying to get J. Edgar Hoover out of his job for a long time?

[Dick]

Well, that isn't a rumor, unfortunately for the American people. The communists, the pro communists, the fellow travelers and a lot of the soft headed liberals are attempting to attack the FBI and are claiming that the FBI is a gestapo police state organization. They are asking for an investigation of the FBI. Now, let me say that when the time comes in this country, and I believe this sincerely, when the time comes in this country when an investigation of the FBI is made so that these people will have access to the FBI's record. A deadly blow will have been struck at the security forces of our country. And I think that all real Americans should support J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. It's the finest police organization in a free nation in the world today, in.

[Interviewer]

My opinion, and I couldn't agree with you more. And I think that any number of men that he's asked for. And I understand he's asked for only 600. Should be given for him. Because I think now that they're producing the H bomb. They'll need more and more good agents to look after our interests. Don't you think so?

[Dick]

I certainly agree with that.

[Interviewer]

And what about this story that if Burley, the Assistant Secretary of State. Had acted on the information he got from Chambers 11 years ago. Don't you think if he had acted upon that. They would have caught this English spy Fuchs then. Instead of letting all this information go to Russia?

[Dick]

Well, let me answer that question in this way. Chambers first made his charges to Burley in 1939. Just three days after the Hitler Stalin pact. And at that time, he told Burleigh more than he told the Committee on UN American Activities. When he first appeared before us on 8-3-48. Mr. Burleigh didn't do anything, at least insofar as questioning hist or questioning Chambers. He said that what he did was that he consulted with Dean Acheson. And that Dean Acheson gave an absolute recommendation for the Hiss brothers. He then questioned Felix Frankfurter. He said he got an absolutely similar unqualified endorsement from Felix Frankfurter. And as a result, did not investigate further. Now, had he gone further and questioned his. And questioned Chambers. A body blow might have been struck at this conspiratorial ring then. And Mr. Fuchs would have been denied the American accomplices. That he must have had and must have used. In order to obtain the atomic information which he turned over to the Russians.

[Interviewer]

And in your opinion, did he have a lot of American spies too?

[Dick]

Well, it is difficult for me to say. I haven't had the chance to investigate that case myself. But I do know that the Communists don't operate as lone wolves. They operate in packs. The Canadian atomic case proved that the Chambers ring, the Bentley ring, the ring in Britain. And Mr. Fuchs, I think, did have atomic accomplices in this country. In this country. And let me just say in that connection, some people may have forgotten. But during the past two years, the Committee on American Activities. Has had Six scientists from the University of California and the University of Chicago who worked on the atom bomb project during the war before it. All six of these scientists were asked whether they were Communists and whether they had turned over atomic information to a confessed Soviet espionage agent. All six of them refused to answer questions on the ground that any answer they would give to those questions would incriminate them. Now, that proves that there was a conspiracy there.

[Interviewer]

Oh, that's frightening. I don't think the layman has any idea that it's gone so far. Tell me, is. Is the. Will the UN American Activities Committee continue with the. Well, the slams that are going in your direction?

[Dick]

Well, I might say that being a member of that committee, incidentally, is something I wouldn't wish off on any of my friends. I know certainly none of my enemies, even at the moment. All that I can say is if the Committee on UN American Activities had not been in existence, Alger Hiss would be free today. The exposing of that conspiracy in itself was a great service. Now, I feel that the Committee on UN American Activities renders a necessary service. The public should stay behind it. I do feel that it is essential that we have good procedures, that we protect the innocent from being smeared by people who might have ulterior motives. But I think the facts regarding this sinister communist conspiracy and other subversive activities should be brought to the American public and that the President should cooperate with the Committee in bringing those facts out rather than in resisting us at every turn.

[Interviewer]

Well, with all this activity you have in Washington and it's necessary for you to be back there, how are you going to campaign in California for the Senate?

[Dick]

Well, that is a difficult job. All that I can say is that I'm glad that this is the age of aircraft, because I do have the opportunity to fly back and forth from Washington and make a few speaking engagements in California and yet be on hand in Washington when the important votes come up.

[Interviewer]

And when do you expect to be back here to campaign?

[Dick]

Well, I expect to come back at least to do some campaigning in April, although I will continue to have to go to Washington even during that period when crucial votes come up in the House.

[Interviewer]

Do you think you'll need some help campaigning by a grandmother or two?

[Dick]

Well, I think we can use not only a number of grandmothers, but we don't even have to put that particular qualification on. Let me say that I am well aware of the fact that there are more women voters than there are men and that you can be sure that as far as my campaign is concerned, although One of my opponents happens to be a woman that we're going to do everything that we can to pitch this campaign so that the women of the state as well as the men understand just what we're talking about. I mean, in other words, rather than talking in terms of billions of dollars in farm subsidies, we're going to talk in terms of the two dollar tax on a ten dollar lady's purse and in the price of potatoes and beans and other things which the ordinary American housewife is interested in.

[Interviewer]

Well, good for you. Because we're taxed for everything and the housewife doesn't know that. And the wife and the baby are the ones who are taxed the most. Do you know that there's a tax on everything that a baby uses from the diaper up and down?

[Dick]

I should know that because I 14 years old, 118 months, and my wife constantly tells me about going down to the drugstore, buying some baby powder, paying a tax on it. You see, she's tax conscience conscious. Of course.

[Interviewer]

I should think she would be being your wife.

[Dick]

That's right.

[Interviewer]

What about your arms? I understand you broke them in Washington. Had to carry them in a cab.

[Dick]

Yes, as a Californian, of course. I was walking on some icy steps in Washington a couple of years ago, slipped and fell. I was carrying, incidentally, our oldest child at that time, who was then about 18 months old, proceeded to fall and in protecting the child, took the blow on my elbows. Cracked both of them. Incidentally. It's quite hard to speak, particularly if you talk with your hands some, and I do a little when both of your arms are in cast. You want to try that sometime? If you like.

[Interviewer]

Honey, I couldn't open my mouth. Well, I see the clock ticking and I know you've got to catch that plane. It's wonderful of you to stop by. And when you come back in April, when did you say? The 3rd of April.

[Dick]

Around the 3rd of April.

[Interviewer]

Around the third of, I will be out to the airport to meet you. And as I say, if you want a grandmother to campaign for you, I'm the grandmother.

[Dick]

Well, thank you very much. And when I do come back in April, I hope that. And I will tell you right now that when we have a little more time, I think I can give you some inside information on some of these developments that may be even more shocking than what we've talked about here in this.

[Interviewer]

Oh, Dick, that's wonderful. I can't tell you how grateful I am. Thank you so much.

[Dick]

Thank you.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

And Doug, here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu.

[Dick]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

They see us Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts Hiring isn't just about finding someone willing to take the job. You need the right person with the right background who can move your business forward. If you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for, trust Indeed Sponsored Jobs With Indeed Sponsored Jobs, your post stands out to quality candidates who actually fit the role. According to Indeed data, 90% are more likely to be hired and trusted by 1.6 million companies. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results. Now with Indeed Sponsors Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com arts just go to Indeed.com arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com Arts terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the Right Way with Indeed.