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performed what was called the “purge.” All I knew about that was that he had some people whom he regarded as bad eggs in there and he got them all out at once, and that the situation was so intricate that he couldn't take the time and effort to make individual charges against each of them, and that he just read out a considerable number, telling them that this was no reflection on anybody's honesty, character or views of life, and that he wouldn't attempt to prove anything, but that for the good of the service he wanted them all to go. I don't remember the word that was used, but it was just a general, “The ones I name just have to get out.” They did. I don't know that he put anybody on charges of anything. However, at the time that it happened it was a nine day wonder in Washington. It was called the “purge.” I suppose those who were put out called it that. One had respect for Henry Wallace.

I did ask him once why he did it. I said, “What was the trouble? Was it serious?”

He said, “It's nothing that one talks about, but it was the sort of thing that was just intolerable. There was no way to move on it except to move very quickly and very completely. There were no half-way measures that I saw could be taken.”