(actual-attempt-of-fascist-takeover-of-USA)-(1973

166 The Plot to Seize the White House
to give me the impression that, whether justly or unjustly, a group
in the American Legion were actively interested in this proposition.
CHAIRMAN: In other words, he mentioned a lot of prominent
names; and whether they are interested or not, you do not know, except
that he seemed to try to convey to you that they were, to impress on you
the significance of this movement
FRENCH: That is precisely the impression I gained from him.
As MacGuire had grown increasingly comfortable with him, French
testified, the plotter had grown candid and enthusiastic about the Fascist
rewards that would follow seizure of the White House. French's use of the
word "brilliant" in the following portion of testimony was obviously
sarcastic.
FRENCH: He had a very brilliant solution of the unemployment
situation. He said that Roosevelt had muffed it terrifically, but that he
had the plan. He had seen it in Europe. It was a plan that Hitler had used
in putting all of the unemployed in labor camps or barracks-enforced
labor. That would solve it overnight, and he said that when they got into
power, that is what they would do; that that was the ideal plan.
He had another suggestion to register all persons all over the
country, like they do in Europe. He said that would stop a lot of these
Communist agitators who were running around the country.
He said that a crash was inevitable and was due to come when
bonds reached 5 percent. He said that the soldiers must prepare to save
the Nation.
If Roosevelt went along with the dictatorship as the King had done in Italy,
MacGuire had suggested, Butler could have the proposed labor camps put
under his own control.
† FRENCH: . . . he suggested that Roosevelt would be in
sympathy with us and proposed the idea that Butler would be named as
the head of the C.C.C. [Civilian Conservation