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Hiss also [[#refWard88|dared]] Chambers to repeat his charges outside of the immunity afforded in congressional hearings, so Hiss could sue him, adding, "and I hope you will do it [[#refHUAC8-17-48|damned quickly]]." Within ten days,<ref>[[#refWhite04|White 2004]]: 61</ref> on NBC's ''Meet the Press,'' Chambers called Hiss' bluff, saying, "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17982730/page/5/ Alger Hiss was a Communist] and may be now."

Hiss also [[#refWard88|dared]] Chambers to repeat his charges outside of the immunity afforded in congressional hearings, so Hiss could sue him, adding, "and I hope you will do it [[#refHUAC8-17-48|damned quickly]]." Within ten days,<ref>[[#refWhite04|White 2004]]: 61</ref> on NBC's ''Meet the Press,'' Chambers called Hiss' bluff, saying, "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17982730/page/5/ Alger Hiss was a Communist] and may be now."

Embarrassment mounted among Hiss' supporters as weeks dragged by and still no suit was filed.<ref>[[#refHK06|Haynes, Klehr 2006]]: 103</ref> Even the ''Washington Post'' began to have doubts,<ref>[[#refWeinstein78|Weinstein 1978]]: 162</ref> writing:

Embarrassment mounted among Hiss' supporters as weeks dragged by and still no suit was filed.<ref>[[#refHK06|Haynes, Klehr 2006]]: 103</ref> Even the ''Washington Post''&mdash;"the most implacable of the pro-Hiss newspapers," [http://www.aim.org/aim-report/aim-report-media-wont-give-up-on-red-spy-alger-hiss-july-b/ according to Chambers]&mdash;began to have doubts,<ref>[[#refWeinstein78|Weinstein 1978]]: 162</ref> writing:

{{cquote|As yet, no formal action to initiate a suit for slander has publicly been taken by Mr. Hiss ... Mr. Hiss himself has created a situation in which he is obliged to [http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,888461,00.html put up or shut up] ... Mr. Hiss has left himself no alternative. And each day of delay in making it known that he will avail himself of the opportunity Mr. Chambers has accorded him does incalculable damage to his reputation.}}

{{cquote|As yet, no formal action to initiate a suit for slander has publicly been taken by Mr. Hiss ... Mr. Hiss himself has created a situation in which he is obliged to [http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,888461,00.html put up or shut up] ... Mr. Hiss has left himself no alternative. And each day of delay in making it known that he will avail himself of the opportunity Mr. Chambers has accorded him does incalculable damage to his reputation.}}