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{{template|This article has been updated and revised from {{{site|Wikipedia}}} but the text was originally written by BHathorn (under the name) and does not include alterations made by others from that site.|background=#aff|category=Copied Articles}}

{{template|This article has been updated and revised from {{{site|Wikipedia}}} but the text was originally written by BHathorn (under the name) and does not include alterations made by others from that site.|background=#aff|category=Copied Articles}}

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{{Infobox person​

{{Infobox person

 

| name=Howard Drummond "Dan" Smoot​<br>

| name=Howard Drummond "Dan" Smoot​

 

(Publisher of anti-communist newsletter, 1957-1971<br>Conservative political journalist and activist)

(Publisher of anti-communist newsletter, 1957-1971<br>Conservative political journalist and activist)

| spouse=(1) Mabeth Evans Smoot (married 1933; divorced)<br>​

| spouse=(1) Mabeth Evans Smoot (married 1933; divorced)<br>​

(2) Virginia McKnight Erwin Smoot (married at time of her death in 1996)​

(2) Virginia McKnight Erwin Smoot (married at time of her death in 1996)​

| children=From first marriage:<br>

| children=From first marriage:<br>

 

Bernard Evans Smoot<br>

Bernard Evans Smoot<br>Lawrence Edward Smoot​<br>

Lawrence Edward Smoot​<br>

Parents:<br>

Parents:<br>

William Bernard "Bernie" and Dora Allbright Smoot​

William Bernard "Bernie" and Dora Allbright Smoot​

| alma mater=[[Southern Methodist University]]<br>​

| alma mater=[[Southern Methodist University]]<br>​

[[Harvard University]]​

[[Harvard University]]​}}​

 

}}​

 

​

'''Howard Drummond Smoot''', known as '''Dan Smoot''' (October 5, 1913  &ndash; July 21, 2003), was a [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] agent and a [[conservative]] political [[activism|activist]]. From 1957 to 1971, he published ''The Dan Smoot Report.'' a newsletter which chronicled alleged [[communism|communist]] infiltration in various sectors of [[United States|American]] government and society.​

'''Howard Drummond Smoot''', known as '''Dan Smoot''' (October 5, 1913  &ndash; July 21, 2003), was a [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] agent and a [[conservative]] political [[activism|activist]]. From 1957 to 1971, he published ''The Dan Smoot Report.'' a newsletter which chronicled alleged [[communism|communist]] infiltration in various sectors of [[United States|American]] government and society.​

==Background==​

==Background==​

Smoot was born into poverty in a log cabin in East Prairie in Mississippi County in southeastern [[Missouri]], to William Bernard "Bernie" Smoot (died 1924), a sharecropper, and the former Dora E. Allbright (born 1892).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=Bernie+W._Smoot&event=_east+prairie-mississippi-missouri-usa_49370|title=William Bernard "Bernie" Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> As a six-year-old, Dan picked and hoed [[cotton]] and cultivated [[corn]] with a one-mule plow at the age of eight. He had a sister, Virginia Ruth, and a brother, Jewell Martin Smoot (1911-2003), who predeceased his brother by only ten days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?viewrecord=1&r=an&db=FindAGraveUS&indiv=try&h=23442108|title=Jewell Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> Despite the lack of material resources, Bernie Smoot taught young Dan how to read the classics.​

Smoot was born into poverty in a log cabin in East Prairie in Mississippi County in southeastern [[Missouri]], to William Bernard "Bernie" Smoot (died 1924), a sharecropper, and the former Dora E. Allbright (born 1892).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=Bernie+W._Smoot&event=_east+prairie-mississippi-missouri-usa_49370|title=William Bernard "Bernie" Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> As a six-year-old, Dan picked and hoed [[cotton]] and cultivated [[corn]] with a one-mule plow at the age of eight. He had a sister, Virginia Ruth, and a brother, Jewell Martin Smoot (1911-2003), who predeceased his brother by only ten days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?viewrecord=1&r=an&db=FindAGraveUS&indiv=try&h=23442108|title=Jewell Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> Despite the lack of material resources, Bernie Smoot taught young Dan how to read the classics.​

When he was orphaned at eleven, Dan was sent to live with an uncle who forbade scholarly pursuits. After three years, he ran away from the uncle's home at the age of fourteen with a dime in his pocket but determined to make a life of his own. In 1933 or 1934, at the age of twenty, Smoot married Mabeth Bertha "Betty" Evans, his 16-year-old childhood sweetheart, who became the mother of his two sons, Bernard Evans Smoot (1943-2007), and Lawrence Edward "Larry" Smoot (born 1953), both of whom were born in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=Lawrence+Edward_Smoot&event=_dallas-dallas-texas-usa_76758|title=Lawrence Edward Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> Later divorced, he married his secretary, Virginia McKnight Erwin (1914-1996), known as "Gin" Smoot, who preceded him in death by some seven years.​ She is interred at Holly Tree Cemetery in Hawkins in Wood County, Texas,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=60541&h=160585414&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=EOs329&_phstart=successSource|title=Virginia Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> but there is no indication whether Smoot is also buried at Holly Tree Cemetery.

When he was orphaned at eleven, Dan was sent to live with an uncle who forbade scholarly pursuits. After three years, he ran away from the uncle's home at the age of fourteen with a dime in his pocket but determined to make a life of his own. In 1933 or 1934, at the age of twenty, Smoot married Mabeth Bertha "Betty" Evans, his 16-year-old childhood sweetheart, who became the mother of his two sons, Bernard Evans Smoot (1943-2007), and Lawrence Edward "Larry" Smoot (born 1953), both of whom were born in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=Lawrence+Edward_Smoot&event=_dallas-dallas-texas-usa_76758|title=Lawrence Edward Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> Later divorced, he married his secretary, Virginia McKnight Erwin (1914-1996), known as "Gin" Smoot, who preceded him in death by some seven years.​ She is interred at Holly Tree Cemetery in Hawkins in Wood County, Texas,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=60541&h=160585414&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=EOs329&_phstart=successSource|title=Virginia Smoot|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> but there is no indication whether Smoot is also buried at Holly Tree Cemetery.

​Relocated to Dallas, Smoot graduated from high school and attended [[Southern Methodist University]] in University Park near Dallas, and later [[Harvard University]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]], from which he dropped out prior to receiving a PhD in American Civilization to enter the [[United States Army]] after the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]] by the empire of [[Japan]]. However, the Army rejected Smoot because of his flat feet.<ref name=newamericanmagazine>Book review, March 7, 1994,  in ''The New American,''  ''People Along the Way: The Autobiography of Dan Smoot'' (Big Sandy, [[Texas]]: Tyler Press, 1993), ISBN:978-1884441493.</ref>​

 

Relocated to Dallas, Smoot graduated from high school and attended [[Southern Methodist University]] in University Park near[Dallas, and later [[Harvard University]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]], from which he dropped out prior to receiving a PhD in American Civilization to enter the [[United States Army]] after the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]] by the empire of [[Japan]]. However, the Army rejected Smoot because of his flat feet.<ref name=newamericanmagazine>Book review, March 7, 1994,  in ''The New American,''  ''People Along the Way: The Autobiography of Dan Smoot'' (Big Sandy, [[Texas]]: Tyler Press, 1993), ISBN:978-1884441493.</ref>​

 

​

==Departure from the FBI==​

==Departure from the FBI==​

Smoot instead became an FBI agent, a position he held until  1951, when he resigned for what he cited as professional reasons: namely, the desire to go into the field of political pamphleteering and commentary.​ Rather than accept assignment to the FBI office in [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], Smoot resigned in part because he wanted to rear his family in the Dallas area. Smoot said that several fellow agents had complained to him about the supervisor's management decisions. Smoot said that he related to the inspector what he had heard from colleagues. Then, according to Smoot, the colleagues would not back up what they had told Smoot. The supervisor hence believed that Smoot had been disloyal to him.​

Smoot instead became an FBI agent, a position he held until  1951, when he resigned for what he cited as professional reasons: namely, the desire to go into the field of political pamphleteering and commentary.​ Rather than accept assignment to the FBI office in [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], Smoot resigned in part because he wanted to rear his family in the Dallas area. Smoot said that several fellow agents had complained to him about the supervisor's management decisions. Smoot said that he related to the inspector what he had heard from colleagues. Then, according to Smoot, the colleagues would not back up what they had told Smoot. The supervisor hence believed that Smoot had been disloyal to him.​

After Smoot left the FBI, he became a commentator and began producing ''Facts Forum'' newsletters in conjunction with Dallas [[oil]] billionaire [[H. L. Hunt]]. His salary doubled with his new assignment. From 1953 to 1954, ''Facts Forum'' was the source for the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] public affairs [[television series]], ''Answers for Americans.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112234003/http://www.jfredmacdonald.com/macfilms/Press%20Release%202.htm|title=MacDonald & Associates: Facts Forum press release|publisher=Jfredmacdonald.com|accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref>​

After Smoot left the FBI, he became a commentator and began producing ''Facts Forum'' newsletters in conjunction with Dallas [[oil]] billionaire [[H. L. Hunt]]. His salary doubled with his new assignment. From 1953 to 1954, ''Facts Forum'' was the source for the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] public affairs [[television series]], ''Answers for Americans.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112234003/http://www.jfredmacdonald.com/macfilms/Press%20Release%202.htm|title=MacDonald & Associates: Facts Forum press release|publisher=Jfredmacdonald.com|accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref>​

In 1954, Medford Bryan Evans (1907-1989), a conservative critic of American [[Cold War]] policies and a college [[professor]] who was dismissed in 1959 amid a controversy at [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], [[Louisiana]], was described as "News Editor" and "Editor" of ''Facts Forum News.'' Mary Helen Brengel was identified as an "associate editor."  She later worked for the ''Independent American,'' the conservative bimonthly newspaper founded in 1955 as ''Free Men Speak'' by [[Kent Courtney]], and his then first wife, Phoebe Carolyn Greene Courtney (1918-1998).​

In 1954, Medford Bryan Evans (1907-1989), a conservative critic of American [[Cold War]] policies and a college [[professor]] who was dismissed in 1959 amid a controversy at [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], [[Louisiana]], was described as "News Editor" and "Editor" of ''Facts Forum News.'' Mary Helen Brengel was identified as an "associate editor."  She later worked for the ''Independent American,'' the conservative bimonthly newspaper founded in 1955 as ''Free Men Speak'' by [[Kent Courtney]], and his then first wife, Phoebe Carolyn Greene Courtney (1918-1998).​

​Smoot dismissed Medford Evans from ''Facts Forum'' for "financial irregularities". On November 15, 1956, Hunt withdrew his subsidy to the monthly ''Facts Forum News'' because the publication was not financially self-sustaining.​

 

Smoot dismissed Medford Evans from ''Facts Forum'' for "financial irregularities". On November 15, 1956, Hunt withdrew his subsidy to the monthly ''Facts Forum News'' because the publication was not financially self-sustaining.​

 

​

==Spreading his conservative message==​

==Spreading his conservative message==​

Thereafter, Smoot published his weekly syndicated ''The Dan Smoot Report,'' a 15-minute broadcast aired on weekends on selected stations. He also carried his conservative message via. [[radio]]. One issue of the report was devoted to a mental health bill in [[Alaska]] in 1956, prior to statehood. Smoot claimed the Alaska bill was a communist conspiracy to establish concentration camps on American soil. Upon the death in the spring of 1964, Smoot lionized [[Douglas MacArthur]] and his call, "There Is No Substitute for Victory." ​

Thereafter, Smoot published his weekly syndicated ''The Dan Smoot Report,'' a 15-minute broadcast aired on weekends on selected stations. He also carried his conservative message via. [[radio]]. One issue of the report was devoted to a mental health bill in [[Alaska]] in 1956, prior to statehood. Smoot claimed the Alaska bill was a communist conspiracy to establish concentration camps on American soil. Upon the death in the spring of 1964, Smoot lionized [[Douglas MacArthur]] and his call, "There Is No Substitute for Victory." ​

A subsequent 1964 issue opposed a proposal by [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] to transfer sovereignty of the [[Panama Canal]] to the Republic of [[Panama]]. Johnson failed in his attempt, but President [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1978, with bipartisan U. S. Senate support led by [[Moderate Republican]] [[Howard Baker]] of [[Tennessee]], prevailed by a one-vote margin to extend control of the Canal Zone to Panama. It was Moderate Republican support for many Democratic proposals that particularly angered Smoot, who gave up on the national [[Republican Party]] as a viable alternative to the majority Democrats of his day.​

A subsequent 1964 issue opposed a proposal by [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] to transfer sovereignty of the [[Panama Canal]] to the Republic of [[Panama]]. Johnson failed in his attempt, but President [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1978, with bipartisan U. S. Senate support led by [[Moderate Republican]] [[Howard Baker]] of [[Tennessee]], prevailed by a one-vote margin to extend control of the Canal Zone to Panama. It was Moderate Republican support for many Democratic proposals that particularly angered Smoot, who gave up on the national [[Republican Party]] as a viable alternative to the majority Democrats of his day.​

In 1962, Smoot wrote ''The Invisible Government'' concerning early members of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Other books include ''The Hope of the World''; ''The Business End of Government''; and his autobiography, ''People Along the Way.'' Additionally he was associated with [[Robert Welch]]'s  [[John Birch Society]] and wrote for the society's ''American Opinion'' bi-monthly magazine.<ref>Smoot's autobiography and review by Jane Ingraham (1994)</ref>​

In 1962, Smoot wrote ''The Invisible Government'' concerning early members of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Other books include ''The Hope of the World''; ''The Business End of Government''; and his autobiography, ''People Along the Way.'' Additionally he was associated with [[Robert Welch]]'s  [[John Birch Society]] and wrote for the society's ''American Opinion'' bi-monthly magazine.<ref>Smoot's autobiography and review by Jane Ingraham (1994)</ref>​

In 2000, Conservative activist [[Peter Gemma]] wrote a biographical sketch of Smoot in ''The New American.'' Gemma recounts that Smoot, among his other aberrant positions, challenged [[Barry Goldwater]]  during the 1964 presidential campaign for the nominee's embrace of [[NATO]], which Smoot considered a  [[globalist]] organization of questionable value.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peterbgemma.com/2014/01/dan-smoot/|title=Dan Smoot: The Man and His Message|author=[[Peter Gemma]]|date=January 1993|publisher=''The New American''|accessdate=May 21, 2016}}</ref>

In 2000, conservative activist [[Peter Gemma]] wrote a biographical sketch of Smoot in ''The New American.'' Gemma recounts that Smoot, among his other aberrant positions, challenged [[Barry Goldwater]]  during the 1964 presidential campaign for the nominee's embrace of [[NATO]], which Smoot considered a  [[globalist]] organization of questionable value.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peterbgemma.com/2014/01/dan-smoot/|title=Dan Smoot: The Man and His Message|author=[[Peter Gemma]]|date=January 1993|publisher=''The New American''|accessdate=May 21, 2016}}</ref>

​

​

In 1970, Smoot opposed the selection of a future [[President of the United States|U.S. President]], [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], as the Republican nominee]for the [[United States Senate]] from Texas. He claimed that Bush's political philosophy was little different from the [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] that he sought to oppose. Bush lost the Senate election that year to [[Lloyd Bentsen]] of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. Oddly, eighteen years later, Bush would head the Republican presidential ticket when Bentsen would be the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] on theticket headed by  [[Michael Dukakis]].​

In 1970, Smoot opposed the selection in the Republican [[primary]] of a future [[President of the United States|U.S. President]], [[George Herbert Walker Bush]], as the nominee for the [[United States Senate]] from Texas. He claimed that Bush's political philosophy was little different from the [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] that he sought to oppose. Bush lost the Senate election that year to [[Lloyd Bentsen]] of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. Oddly, eighteen years later, Bush would head the Republican presidential ticket when Bentsen would be the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] on theticket headed by  [[Michael Dukakis]].​

​Smoot was a victim of the [[Federal Communication Commission]]'s [[Fairness Doctrine]] which prior to 1987 mandated "equal time" for opposing sides in political debate. As Smoot's critics demanded equal time to reply to his broadcasts, station after station dropped ''The Dan Smoot Report.'' His last broadcast was issued on March 1, 1971. Smoot told his viewers​

​Smoot was a victim of the [[Federal Communication Commission]]'s [[Fairness Doctrine]] which prior to 1987 mandated "equal time" for opposing sides in political debate. As Smoot's critics demanded equal time to reply to his broadcasts, station after station dropped ''The Dan Smoot Report.'' His last broadcast was issued on March 1, 1971. Smoot told his viewers​

​In 1972, Smoot opposed the reelection of President [[Richard M. Nixon]] and served as campaign manager for American Independent Party presidential candidate [[John Schmitz]], a departing Republican [[U.S. Representative]] for [[California]]'s 35th congressional district.​ Schmitz received 1.1 million votes but carried no states.

​In 1972, Smoot opposed the reelection of President [[Richard M. Nixon]] and served as campaign manager for American Independent Party presidential candidate [[John Schmitz]], a departing Republican [[U.S. Representative]] for [[California]]'s 35th congressional district.​ Schmitz received 1.1 million votes but carried no states.

==Books==​

==Books==​

Heather Hendershot, ''What's Fair on the Air? Cold War Right-Wing Broadcasting and the Public Interest'' (University of Chicago Press, 2011) 260 pages; covers the rise and fall of prominent conservative radio hosts  H. L. Hunt, Carl McIntire, and Billy James Hargis, and Dan Smoot.​

Heather Hendershot, ''What's Fair on the Air? Cold War Right-Wing Broadcasting and the Public Interest'' (University of Chicago Press, 2011) 260 pages; covers the rise and fall of prominent conservative radio hosts  H. L. Hunt, Carl McIntire, and Billy James Hargis, and Dan Smoot.​

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[[Category:Missouri]]​

[[Category:Missouri]]​

[[Category:Television]]

[[Category:Television]]

[[Category:Radio]]​

[[Category:Radio]]​

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Anti-Communism]]

[[Category:Anti-Communism]]