The Friends of Progress
The Friends of Progress (FOP) was an antiwar organization formed in August 1941 by Robert Noble. Later Ellis O. Jones became a co-director. Noble in testimony to a California un-American activities committee said the organization was an the offspring of the Humanist Society.
The group was based in Hollywood, California.
Franz K. Ferenz, a German-American and dedicated National Socialist, was reported to be the "brains" behind the Friends of Progress.[1]
Mock impeachment of FDR
Just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor the FOP conducted several mock trials for the impeachment of President Franklin Roosevelt. A life-sized effigy of the President represented his presence at the 'court'. Contrived witnesses were called representing farmers, mothers, youths, and other special interest groups stating what little FDR had done to alleviate their personal situations. After December 7, weekly meetings continued to be held still attracting hundreds in attendance.[2]
The meeting on February 4, 1942, brought in Jack Tenney, chairman of the California legislative committee investigating subversive activities who served Noble, Jones, and Ferenz summonses to appear before his committee. Their last meeting was held on April 1, 1942 when Noble and Jones were arrested by the FBI.[3]
Trivia
Hollywood noticed Robert Noble and Ellis O. Jones and recast their characters as Robert Nelson and Elliot Jennings in the 1943 propaganda film Foreign Agent [4]
