Cy5 0(ro^^79/
HARVARD COLLEGE
LIBRARY
GIFT OF THE
GOVERNMENT
OF THE UNITED STATES
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT
OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY
Structure — Objectives — Leadership
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES
EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
PART 3
FEBRUARY 24 AND 25, 1959
Printed for the use of the Committee on Un-American Activities
INCLUDING INDEX
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
DEPOSITED BY THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MAY 14 1959
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
382fi3 WASHINGTON : 1959
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
U.S. House of Representatives
FRANCIS E. WALTER, Pennsylvania, Chairman
MORGAN M. MOULDER, Missouri DONALD L. JACKSON, California
CLYDE DOYLE, California GORDON H. SCHERER, Ohio
EDWIN E. WILLIS, Louisiana WILLIAM E. MILLER, New York
WILLIAM M. TUCK, Virginia AUGUST E. JOHANSEN, Michigan
RiCHAED Aeens, Slaff Director
n
CONTENTS
Part 1
September 2, 1958: Testimony of — I'aee
Dorothy Ray Healey 18
Afternoon session:
Dorothy Ray Henley (resumed) 49
Statements of Loren Miller and Al Wirin (attorneys for Don
Wheeldin) " 54
Mary Lois Newman 55
David Francis Arkin 68
Thomas D. Creed 63
Horace V. Alexander 68
September 3, 1958: Testimony of—
Cyril Valentine Briggs 75
Alexander Ende 82
Herbert Biskar 84
Marvin Biskar 90
Sophie Kishner 93
Joseph Solomon 96
Stella Choyke Biber 99
Afternoon session:
Joseph I. Gavron > 102
Esther Goldie Sokolow 110
Sakae Ishihara 114
Bernard Burton 118
Part 2
September 4, 1958: Testimony of —
Harriet Blair 137
Lorris Gosman 140
Jane Swanhuyser 142
Julius Kovner 144
Bertha Marshall 148
EUie Henrickson 152
Fay Kovner Mukes 159
Rosemary Lusher 162
Afternoon session:
Rosemary Lusher (resumed) 168
Reva Mucha Zwolinski 180
Leon Pape 187
Edith Weiner Pape.. 192
Naomi Claire Blair 196
Sophie Silver 201
Jessie Josephson 203
Archibald MacNair, Jr 205
Charles H. Mosley, Jr 207
Felix Padilla 209
EliKatz 210
ni
IV CONTENTS
September 5, 1958: Testimony of — Page
William A. Wheeler 213
Jerry Atinsky 214
Margarete Ann Byler 218
Elizabeth Ricardo Jackson 220
Ola Ross Pacifico 222
Henry Saz er 224
Vivian Vallens 227
Leo Baef sky 230
Estelle Parness 232
Irving SarnofF __ 233
William W. Talbot '__'_ 235
Part 3
February 24, 1959: Testimony of —
Charlene Mitchell 237
Seymour D. Brodsky 254
Admiral George Dawson 255
Eleanor Smith 258
Clarence George Young 260
Afternoon session:
Helen Blair 263
Ethel Biskar 267
Edward M. Enfiajian 270
August Maymudes 273
Shifra Goldman 274
February 25, 1959: Testimony of —
Matilda Molina Tolly 279
Mark Robinson 282
Delfino Varela 284
Ben Karr 288
Afternoon session:
Sophie Siminoski 290
Harry Hunt 293
Arthur Brown 296
Robert Klonsky 301
Philip Rafalow 304
Solomon Monroy 306
Index.
1
Public Law 601, 79th Congress
The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American
Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946], chapter
753, 2d session, which provides:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of A merica in Congress asse?nbled, * * *
PART 2— RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rule X
SEC. 121. STANDING COMMITTEES
:(: =(: * * * * *
18. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of jiine Members.
Rule XI
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
(q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities.
(A) Un-American activities.
(2) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommit-
tee, is authorized to make from time to time investigations of (i) the extent,
character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in tlie United States,
(ii) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propa-
ganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks
the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, and
(iii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in any necessary
remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such
times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting,
has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.
4: 4: 9): 4: >): 4= 4=
Rule XII
LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT BY STANDING COMMITTEES
Sec. 136. To assist the Congress in appraising the administration of the laws
and in developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem neces-
sary, each standing committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives
shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative
agencies concerned of any laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdic-
tion of such committee; and, for that purpose, shall study all pertinent report
and data submitted to the Congress by the agencies in the executive branch of
the Government.
V
RULES ADOPTED BY THE 86TH CONGRESS
House Resolution 7, Jumiary 7, 1959
*******
Rule X
STANDING COMMITTSES
1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commetieemeTit of each Coii-
p;ress,
*******
(f|) Com?nittee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members.
Rule XI
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
*******
18. Committee on Un-American Activities.
(a) Un-American activities.
(b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee,
is authorized to make from time to time investigations of (1) the extent, char-
acter, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States,
(2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American prop-
aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitu-
tion, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress
in any necessary remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session") the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-AmericaJi
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such times
and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, has
recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.
26. To assist the House in appraising the administration of the laws and in
developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem necessary,
each standing committee of tlie House shall exercise contiiuious watchfulness
of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws, the subject
matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that
purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the House by
the agencies in the executive branch of the Government.
VI
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT OF THE
COMMUNIST PARTY
Structure — Objectives — Leadership
(Part 3)
TUESDAY, FEBBUARY 24, 1959
United States House of Representatives,
Subcommittee of the
Committee on Un-American Activities,
Lo8 Angeles^ Calif.
EXECUTIVE session ^
The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met,
pursuant to call, at 9:30 a.m., in room 229, Federal Building, Los
Angeles, Calif., Hon. Francis E. Walter (chairman) presiding.
Committee members present: Representatives Francis E. Walter,
of Pennsylvania; Morgan M. Moulder, of Missouri; and August E.
Johansen, of Michigan.
Staff members present : Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., counsel ; William A.
Wheeler, investigator; and Mrs. William A. Wheeler, acting clerk.
Chairman Walter. The committee will come to order.
Will you raise your right hand, please? Do you swear the testi-
mony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I do.
TESTIMONY OP CHAELENE MITCHELL, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
JEAN KIDWELL
Mr. Tavenner. State your name, please.
Mrs. Mitchell. Charlene Mitchell.
Mr. Tavenner. Miss or Mrs. ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Mrs.
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted that you are accompanied by counsel.
Mrs, Mitchell. lam.
Mr. Tavenner. Counsel, will you please identify yourself?
Miss KiDWELL. Miss Jean Kidwell, Pestana & Kidwell.
Mr. Tavenner. Of the Los Angeles Bar ?
Miss Kidwell. Yes.
* Released by the committee and ordered to be printed.
The executive testimony herewith released formed part of the baclcground information
on which is based the "Report on the Southern California District of the Communist
Party: Structure — Objectives — Letadership," H. Rept, No. 259, released by the Committee
on Un-American Activities on Apr. 3, 1950.
237
238 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Chairman Walter. This is a continuation of the hearing begun by
the Committee on Un-American Activities in Los Angeles, Septem-
ber 2, 1958. It is authorized by a resolution adopted by the committee
on the 23d day of January 1959, which reads as follows :
Be it resolved, That a hearing by the Committee on Un-American Activities,
or a subcommittee thereof, to be held in Los Angeles, Calif., or at such other
place or places as the chairman may designate, on such date or dates as the
chairman may determine, be authorized and approved, including the conduct
of investigations deemed reasonably necessary by the staff in preparation there-
for, relating to the extent, character, and objects of Communist Party activities
in California, with special reference to such activities in southern California,
the legislative purpose being :
1. (a) To obtain additional information for use by the committee in its con-
sideration of section 16 of H.R. 9352 relating to the proposed amendment of
section 4 of the Communist Control Act of 1954 referred to the Committee on
Un-American Activities on August 19, 1957, prescribing a penalty for knovdngly
and willfully becoming or remaining a member of the Communist Party with
knowledge of the purpose or objectives thereof ; and
(b) To obtain additional information, adding to the committee's overall
knowledge on the subject so that Congress may be kept informed and thus pre-
pared to enact remedial legislation in the national defense and for internal
security, when and if the exigencies of the situation require it.
2. In the exercise of continuous watchfulness of the execution by the adminis-
trative agency concerned of laws, the subject matter of which is within the
jurisdiction of this committee, to obtain information to assist the House in
appraising the administration of such laws and in developing such amendments
or relate<i legislation as the committee may deem necessary.
Be it further resolved, That the hearings may include any other matter within
the jurisdiction of the committee, which it, or any subcommittee thereof appointed
to conduct this hearing, may designate.
Let the record show that pursuant to law and the rules of this com-
mittee, I, as chairman, appointed a subcommittee for the purpose of
conducting these hearings composed of Eepresentatives Morgan M.
Moulder and August E. Johansen, as associate members, and myself,
Francis E. Walter, as chairman.
Tlie order of appointment of the subcommittee will be set forth in
the record at this point.
(The order of appointment is as follows :)
February 5, 1959.
To: Mr. Richard Arens, Staff Director, House Committee on Un-American
Activities.
Pursuant to the provisions of the law and the rules of this committee, I hereby
appoint a subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities, consisting
of Representatives Morgan M. Moulder and August E. Johansen as associate
members, and myself, Francis E. Walter, as chairman, to conduct hearings in
executive session in Los Angeles, Calif., Tuesday, February 24, 1959, at 10 a.m.,
on subjects under investigation by the committee and take such testimony on
said day or succeeding days, as it may deem necessary. Please make this action
a matter of committee record.
If any member indicates his inability to serve, please notify me.
Given under my hand this fifth day of February, 1959.
/s/ Francis E. Walter,
Chairman, The Committee on TJn- American Activities.
Mr. Walter. The committee resolution adequately sets forth the
subject and purposes of this hearing. As stated at the inception of
the hearing in September, information has come to the committee of
renewed Communist Party activities in this area. The direction and
extent of this renewed activity and its purposes are deemed by the
committee to be of such importance to the welfare and defense of
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 239
the country as to justify this investigation in order that remedial
legislation may be recommended designed to meet new threats of
subversion.
You may proceed, Mr. Tavenner.
Mrs. Mitchell. I have a statement that I would like to submit
before the committee if this is possible.
Mr. Walter. You may submit the statement and it will be made a
part of our records.
Mr. Tavenner. State your address, please.
Mrs. Mitchell. 2411 West 23d Street.
Mr. Tavenner. Los Angeles?
Mrs. Mitchell. That is right.
IMr. Tavenner. AVhen and where were you born ?
J^Irs. Mitchell. 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your maiden name ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Alexander.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, briefly, what
your formal educational training has been ?
Mrs. Mitchell. The usual grammar school, high school, and com-
pleted 2 years of college.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you attend college ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Herzl Junior College in Chicago, 111.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the date of the completion of your
work ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I think June of 1950.
Mr. Tavenner. Wlien did you first come to California to make it
your place of residence?
Mrs. Mitchell. About 4 years ago.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you live prior to that?
Mrs. Mitchell. Chicago, 111.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation?
Mrs. Mitchell. I refuse to answer that question on all the grounds
afforded me by the United States Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you at this time a salaried employee of the
Communist Party in the Southern District of California?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your first employment after coming to
California 4 years ago?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your occupation in Chicago before
coming to California ?
Mrs. INiiTCHELL. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you be a little more definite as to the time that
you came here?
Mrs. Mitchell. It is roughly 4 years ago. I can't remember the
exact date.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you sent here by the Communist Party from
Chicago ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. T^^ien you first came from Chicago to California did
you engage in youth work in this area?
Mrs. IVIiTCHELL. Same answer.
Mr. TAATi:xNi:K. By youth work, I mean youth work within the
Communist Party.
38253 — 59— pt. 3 2
240 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you associated from the time of your arrival
in Los Angeles to a comparatively recent date with the Labor Youth
League ?
Mrs. Mitchell. You are going into the field of my aiRliations and
associations, and I must refuse to answer on the grounds afforded me
by the United States Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. What grounds are those ?
Mrs. Mitchell. All of the grounds of the Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you relying upon that part of the fifth amend-
ment relating to self-incrimination ?
Mrs. Mitchell. The Constitution and all its amendments.
Mr. Moulder. Mr. Chairman, may I interrupt? May I ask that
the witness be directed to answer the question for the reason that there
should be some showing of whether or not she is acting in good faith
in claiming the protection of the Constitution.
Mr. Walter. Yes ; I direct you to answer that question.
Mrs. Mitchell. I refuse on the grounds of the first, the fifth, and
all those amendments that protect my rights.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, I think I should read into the record
that the Labor Youth League was cited by Attorney General J. How-
ard McGrath in his letter released August 30, 1950, as a "Communist
organization" which "has taken the place of the two prior organiza-
tions as the organization for young Communists," — that is, the Young
Communist League and American Youth for Democracy.
Did you attend the Labor Youth League convention held in Los
Angeles in July of 1956 ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I refuse to answer on the grounds previously men-
tioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not one of the seven members of the pre-
siding committee of that convention ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. The Labor Youth League is not now in existence,
is it?
Mrs. IMiTCiiELL. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know why it went out of existence ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that it went out of existence because
its activity had become publicly known and, therefore, it could not be
supported ? Is that not true ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you at this time a member at large of the Com-
nmnist Party of the United States ?
Mrs._ Mitchell. You are again going into the field of associations,
affiliations, and I must refuse to answer you on the previous grounds
that I mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member at large of the National Com-
mittee of the Communist Party of the United States ?
Mrs. Mitchell. That is the same question, and the same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you in attendance at a meeting of the District
Council of the Comniunist Party for Southern California held on
July 27, 1958, at which time a report was made by delegates who
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 241
attended a meeting of the National Committee of the Communist
Party held in New York City June 28, 1958 ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on all previous grounds mentioned.
Mr, Walter. May I interrupt at that point, Mr. Tayenner. I
think it is very important if we could possibly induce this witness
to tell us what happened at that meeting.
Mr. Tavennek. I am asking her about a meeting which she attended
in Los Angeles, the purpose of which was to receive reports from the
delegates who attended the national committee meeting.
Dorothy Healey, who, according to the committee's information, is
the head of the Communist Party in the Southern District of Cali-
fornia, and is also a member of the National Committee of the Com-
munist Party, made an extensive report to the Southern California
District convention in April 1957. That report has been introduced
in evidence as exhibit 7 in her testimony. I want to read to you from
a page of that report :
Youth. We are not in a position to project a definitive program of work among
youth. We know that the future of our party lies in our ability to win youth to
the cause of socialism. But while we cannot yet answer the question of what
type of Marxist youth organization should emerge ,we can state that high on the
priority list on our party's program should be the planned and conscious ap-
proach toward the young people in the mass organizations and unions in which
we participate. This means developing teen-age programs in those organizations,
designed to answer the needs and interests of young people.
Were you present when that report was made ?
Mrs. Mitchell. All of these things, it seems to me, that you are
reading, are matters of public record. I just don't think the committee
is really interested in these things. I think it is more interested in
harassing people.
Mr. Tavenner. We are more interested in whether you knew about
it.
Mrs. Mitchell. I just refuse to answer on the grounds I have al-
ready given you.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not made cochairman of the Youth
Commission of the Communist Party in Southern California for the
purpose of carrying out the directives that came down from the na-
tional committee and as reported by Dorothy Healey ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer these questions on the
grounds that I have already given you.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee how many persons com-
pose the Youth Commission of the Communist Party in this area?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was Ethel Biskar made your cochairman?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is Shifra Goldman a member of your Youth Com-
mission ?
Mrs. Mitchell. It seems to me that you have subpenaed me here.
Why should I have to testify about other people ? I am not going to
give to this committee any kind of names or anything else that may
help this committee. I refuse to answer that question on the previous
grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction that the witness answer the
question ?
Mr. Walter. You are so directed.
242 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mrs. Mitchell. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds
previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Is Eleanor Smith a member of this commission ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was a person by the name of Edward Enfiajian a
member of this Youth Commission at one time ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was lie not dropped from this commission and re-
lieved of responsibility on it because his activities on this commission
might publicly identify him as a member of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer on the previous grounds
mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. How many youth organizations of the Communist
Party are there in the Southern District of California ?
Mrs. Mitchell. You are changing these questions around just like
that, but the same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. At the begining of 1959, were there not three youth
clubs in operation in this area ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were not one or two adult members of the Com-
munist Party assigned to each club ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Walter. What were the names of the clubs, Mr. Tavenner ?
Mr. Ta^t.nner. One was a study group, according to the committee's
information, Imown as Shifra Goldman Group. Is that correct?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You and August Maymudes were assigned to a
more advanced group of the young Communist group, were you not?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Ta'\^nner. The third group that I mentioned Avas made up of
ex-members of the Labor Youth League, is that not true ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that Admiral Dawson was the adult
member who was assigned to this last mentioned group ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Taatenner. In other words, if our information is correct that
you are cochairman of the youth movement in this area, you refuse to
give this committee any information about the advancement of its
work ?
Mrs. Mitchell. It seems to me if this committee is at all interested
in subversives then they should really go where the subversives are.
I know nothing of why this committee has to come to Los Angeles
when time after time incidents of terrors and bombings take place
against my people, the Negro people in the South, even here, as a mat-
ter of fact, and this committee does nothing about that but here it
comes into Los Angeles to investigate, as it calls it, so-called subver-
sives. This I can't understand. It seems to me if this committee is
really interested then they can investigate the KKK, the TAHiite Citi-
zens Council, any number of organizations that are really subverting
this organization.
COMMUlSfISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 243
Mr. Waliter. You know the difference between those activities
and the activities we are investigating. I am not going to waste
my breatli reminding you of what they are.
Mr. Moulder. Do you consider the Communist Party as being a
political party, or would you consider it to be a subversive activity 5
Mrs. Mitchell. You are again asking me as to opinions and ideas.
I will discuss these things with you in an open forum but I am not
going to answer you that in this type of committee hearing.
Mr. Moulder. My conclusion is that you consider the Communist
Party or the Communist Party activities as not being subversive.
Mrs. Mitchell. When and if we want to discuss the ideas and opin-
ions of any organization, then maybe we could go and discuss them in
an open forum but I will not sit here in this room and discuss these
opinions with you.
Mr.TAVENNER. Wliy?
Mrs. Mitchell. Because I feel I would be giving up my constitu-
tional liberties and I would not be acting as a decent American citizen.
]SIr. Tavenner. Is not the actual reason that you do not want to give
information regarding the activities of the Communist Party because
then Congress will have the full facts ?
Mrs. Mitchell. It seems to me that Congress has an awful lot of
facts on an awful lot of things and they have not done much about it,
especially this committee.
Mr. Tavenner. We are gathering more facts all the time and we
hope to get some from you. We certainly have obtained complete
information about this community.
Mrs. Mitchell. Did you get facts about Little Rock ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, we have.
Mrs. Mitchell. You have not moved on Little Rock and you have
been here twice.
Mr. Tavenner. We have obtained facts about what the Communist
Party wants to do about infiltration and that you are a member of the
national committee. What do you know about that ?
Mr. Walter. About what ?
Mr. Tavenner. About the decision of the Communist Party to
infiltrate into the NAACP.
Mrs. Mitchell. I have not violated any laws.
Mr. Tavenner. That is not my question. You brought up the
question, now let us follow it.
Mrs. Mitchell. Then I refuse to answer the question on the grounds
previously mentioned.
Mr. Moulder. May I ask what knowledge of subversive activities
you have at Little Rock ?
Mrs. Mitchell. It seems to me that this whole committee should,
if it does not know, know about the question of Governor Faubus who
has refused over and over again to follow the Supreme Court's mandate
of 1954 outlawing segregated schools, when children are having to go to
schools with bayonets at them and then all of a sudden they can't go
that way because the Congress has not yet seen fit to pass a bill that
will protect those children.
Mr. Moulder. Do you have such a personal knowledge ?
Mrs. Mitchell. There is a child who goes to Los Angeles High
School because he could not go to a decent school in Little Rock. My
244 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
father comes from Georgia, where, when he went to Georgia, they
strung him up on a pole outside of a high school. I know about these
things and I know the sheriff knew and I know there are Congressmen
who sit in Congress who sit there in defiance of the 14th amendment.
Because they are supposed to be elected by the people who vote. Here
are people in Mississippi — only three-tenths of 1 percent of Negroes
in Mississippi can vote. If this is not subverting the Government,
then I don't know what is. It seems to me this committee should be
perfectly willing to investigate such activity.
Mr. Walter. That is not within our jurisdiction, but since you have
been so willing to talk why do you not talk about the things pertinent
to this hearing ?
Mr. Tavenner. In the February 25, 1957, issue of The New Leader
there is an article entitled "U.S. Communists Convene," by Walter K.
Lewis. I read this paragraph :
* * * The Communists directed special emphasis to the Negro question in their
declaration of principles, and Carl Rachlin reported that a major effort to in-
filtrate the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the
National Urban League should be anticipated.
What has been done in this area to carry out what was indicated
should be anticipated in this field ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must stand on my constitutional rights and re-
fuse to answer the question.
Mr. Tavenner. As a matter of fact, have you not advanced $45 of
Communist Party money to a member of the NAACP at UCLA and
you did it in the name of the Youth Commission of the Communist
Party?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Moulder. That is a very interesting point. Do you mean by
the same answer that you are claiming protection of the fifth amend-
ment of the Constitution ?
Mrs. Mitchell. All the grounds that I previously stated.
^ Mr. Tavenner. On September 21, 1958, there was a District Coun-
cil meeting of the Southern California Communist Party, and accord-
ing to the committee's information, you were present. Before I ask
you any questions about that, I want to ask you whether or not it is
true that you are one of the 62 members of the District Council of the
Communist Party for the Southern District of California ?
Mrs. Mitchell. You are questioning again in the same way and I
give the same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you not one of the 10 executive board members
of the district council ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not true that Don Wheeldin, before he resigned
on March 26, 1958, was also a member of this same executive board
with you ?
Mrs. JSliTCHELL. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not true that Horace V. Alexander was 1 of
the 10 members ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Thomas Creed ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Cornelius Crowe ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 245
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that Ben Dobbs is also a member
with you ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not also a fact that Bernard Lusher, who is
prominent in the field of labor, is also a member of this executive
board with you ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. And Nemmy Sparks ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. When Don Wlieeldin resigned, according to the
committee's information, it was planned that William Taylor, form-
erly of Washington, D.C., was slated to become a member of the
board. Has he yet become a member ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I referred you to the fact, according to the com-
mittee's information, that there was a meeting on September 21, 1958 —
that was after the committee's hearing here in Los Angeles last Sep-
tember— of the District Council of the Communist Party for the
Southern District of California, and that you were present. I want
to ask you some questions about that meeting.
In fact, I have what purports to be a copy of the minutes of that
meeting. Will you examine it, please, and state whether or not the
action reported there was the action at that meeting.
(Papers handed to the witness.)
Mr. Tavenner. Can you identify that document as a copy of the
minutes ?
Mrs. Mitchell Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to offer the document in evidence and ask
that it be marked "Mitchell Exhibit No. 1."
Mr. Walter. It may be marked and made a part of the record.
(Document marked "Mitchell Exhibit No. 1" and retained in com-
mittee files. )
Mr. Tavenner. According to the committee's information and as
stated on those minutes, the meeting was held at Park Manor, 607
South Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Is that not correct ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Exhibit 1, which I showed you, has a statement that
there were in attendance 42 delegates and one visitor.
Mrs. Mitchell. Who was the visitor ?
Mr. Tavenner. Paragraph C, at the bottom of the first page, is as
follows :
Dorothy reported for the district board on the experiences, lessons, and of
the recently concluded hearings of the House Un-American Activities Commit-
tee. Twelve delegates spoke in the discussion.
What did Dorothy Healey have to say about the hearings of the
Committee on Un-American Activities ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same question and same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You seem to be smiling. Something of an unusual
character must have occurred.
Mrs. Mitchell. No ; I am laughing because you are asking me the
same questions in a different manner.
246 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. Did Dorothy Healey at this meeting explain why
the Communist Party did not call a meeting of the subpenaed
witnesses ?
Mrs. MrrcHELi.. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did she not explain before that meeting that it was
much better that a districtwide meeting of all the subpenaed people
be held under the auspices of the Citizens Committee To Preserve
American Freedoms?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. The Citizens Committee To Preserve American
Freedoms did hold such a meeting in August of 1958, did it not?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I ask the witness be directed to answer the question.
Mr. Walter. You are so directed.
Mrs. Mitchell. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds
afforded me by the Constitution and all its amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Frank Wilkinson was one of the speakers, was he
not?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Various subpenaed witnesses, including Don Wheel-
din, were called upon to stand up at the meeting, and some of them
spoke, did they not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. What functionary of the Communist Party made
the arrangements for, or negotiated with, the Citizens Committee to
Preserve American Freedoms for the sponsoring of that meeting ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Was it the purpose of this meeting to encourage or
induce the subpenaed witnesses to stand together in defying this
committee?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Citizens Committee
to Preserve American Freedoms in August of 1958 ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I will not discuss my affiliations with any organi-
zation before this committee. I refuse to answer on the previous
grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you present at the meeting of the Citizens
Committee to Preserve American Freedoms?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I now want to go back to this meeting of the District
Council of the Southern District of California, Communist Party, at
which Dorothy Healey, according to the minutes, spoke of the experi-
ences and lessons of the hearing before this committee, and I ask you
whether or not she did not admit to the group to which she was speak-
ing that the committee in questioning her had correct information of
what had transpired at a former meeting of the District Council.
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer on the grounds previously
mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Did she not tell you that the information was so
accurate that the committee must have had the meeting room bugged
or had an informer present ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
I
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 247
Mr. Tavenner. Referring again to exhibit 1, the minutes, I made
reference to the statement m the minutes that 12 delegates spoke in
the discussion relating to the committee.
"V^^io were some of them ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did Sophie Silver, as one of them, discuss the lack
of security which exists in the Communist Party of the Southern Dis-
trict of California ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Incidentally, was not a security provision taken at
the holding of this very meeting designed to deceive the public as to
the nature of the meeting that was being held ?
Mrs. JMitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was there not placed on the announcement board at
the Park Manor a sign that your meeting was the "Midtown Forum" ?
Mrs. Mitcpiell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was not Harry Hunt also a speaker on the subject
of the committee ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Did not Wally Talbot also participate in the debate ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You were cotreasurer with a white person for the
subpenaed witnesses' fund, were you not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Do you always make this big difference ?
Mr. Taa-enner. What big difference ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Is it something that is a white person? Do you
always make such a difference ?
Mr. Tavenner. I am in this case.
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I will state why. As 1 of the 12 persons who dis-
cussed the hearing of the committee, did you not charge that the
white Communist Party members were discriminating against you
by turning over their money to the white cotreasurer instead of paying
you?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You specifically charged, did you not, that Henry
Sazer was guilty of this type of conduct in connection with a $40
contribution made by him ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Exhibit 1, constituting the minutes of the meeting,
shows that a motion was made, seconded, and carried, that the party
be mobilized to participate in the campaign to abolish the House
Un-American Activities Committee. You recall that, do you not?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Was any action taken on your complaint with regard
to discrimination against a Negro member by the white members of
the Communist Party with regard to payment of contributions?
Mrs. Mitchell. I don't understand the question.
Mr. Tavenner. Was any action taken at the meeting with regard
to the complaint made by yon that you were being discriminated
against ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
38253 — 59 — pt. 3-
248 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Moulder. You were referring to discrimination a little while
ago in Little Kock and elsewhere. Don't you wish to give us informa-
tion about any discrimination which might be going on within the
Communist Party ?
Mrs. MrrcHELL. The outward terror, the harassment, the murder of
Negroes that has taken place in the South, in my opinion, is com-
parable— there is nothing comparable to it.
Mr. Moulder. I mean the principle of it, maybe not to the same
degree, but the principle.
Mrs. Mitchell. I don't think the principle anywhere else is the
same.
Mr. Moulder. You were complaining about discrimination. If it
is false, would you not want to deny it ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I will neither deny nor affirm anything this com-
mittee wants to know regarding my affiliations or ideas.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee has information that the last meet-
ing of the District Council of the Southern California Communist
Party was held at the same place on October 24, 1958, and that the
attendance at this meeting had fallen off to about 30 members. Can
you account for this percentage of decrease in attendance ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Is Bernard Lusher chairman of the Labor Commis-
sion of the Communist Party for the Southern California District
of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did he report at this meeting held on October 24
of the advantages of uniting in one group all the labor members from
the different sections and clubs of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did he not publicly state in that meeting that the
main purpose of this type of organization was to influence the political
thinkmg of the people in the imions ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the grounds previously mentioned.
Mr. Walter. Did he say what he meant by political thinking?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
You were present at that meeting ; were you not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner, According to the committee's information, you were.
The committee's information is that the next meeting followmg
that one was held in November of 1958 but you were not present.
Why were you not present ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you in New York at the time that meeting
was held ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not in attendance in November of 1958
at the National Committee meeting of the Conununist Party in New
York City?
Mrs. Mftchell. I stand on the previous grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Our information is that you were present at a
District Council meeting held not long thereafter in Los Angftles on
December 21, 1958. Am I correct that you were present ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
COMMUNIBM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 249
Mr. Tavenner. Did Dorothy Healey at this meeting announce that
you were not in agreement with a resolution passed at the national
committee meeting on "Theoretical Aspects of the Negro Question in
the United States"?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, did she not announce that you were
opposed to the action that had been taken ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the resolution to which Dorothy Healey
referred and with what did it deal ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not the resolution to which she referred relate
to a change in the party position tliat Im.d been taken as long ago
as 1928 with regard to the Negro people in the United States con-
stituting a nation within a nation ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. This has been the subject of considerable testi-
mony before the committee in the past where the committee was
rather ridiculed by the Communist Party for contending that the
Communist Party had adopted a program, or a line, taking the posi-
tion that the Negro people constituted under Stalin's definition a
nation within the United States. But vrhen this was attempted to
be changed, you opposed the change, did you not?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Ta\-enner. Do you admit that the Communist Party had been
wrong for 30 years, from 1928 until 1958, in its position that the
Negroes constituted a separate nation within the United States?
Mrs. Mitchell. We are discussing now opinions ?
Mr. Tavenner. No.
Mrs. Mitchell. I don't understand the question.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me restate it, then. Did you not state at this
meeting on December 21 that you were opposed to any change in the
position taken by the Commmunist Party as long ago as 1928
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Just a minute,
-which position was and continued to be up until 1958 that the
Negro people were a separate nation within the United States?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Plealey continue to point out that
she was in favor of the change and against the view taken by you?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Healey take a very strong position
against you in this matter ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. In fact, you and Dorothy Healey have not gotten
along very well together. You look surprised.
Mrs. Mitchell. Is the committee interested in how I get along
with people ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, when an issue is involved.
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer on the ground previously
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Healey run into a great deal of
diflSculty in the meeting of the District Council of July 27, 1958, re-
250 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
garding the Thompson report from the national committee and the
Dennis report in the matter of the discussion of Nagy in Hungary ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I will not discuss with you my opinions or any-
body's opinions before this committee. I must refuse to answer on
the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Dorothy Healey made a minority report about
which she was very severely taken to task by members of the Com"
munist Party. Is that not true ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Max Steinberg introduced a resolution to remove
her as chairman of the party and possibly the only thing that saved
her was that Pettis Perry moved that the motion be tabled. Is that not
correct ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. JoHANSEN. I wonder if the stenotypist could reread the state-
ment the witness made a few moments ago to the effect that she would
not discuss any opinions before this committee ; hers or anyone else's.
Mrs. Mitchell, is it not true you did discuss before this committee
your opinions about Little Rock and alleged wrongs in the South ?
Mrs. Mitchell. That is true.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Do you have a double standard ? There are some
qpinions you will discuss before this committee but not others; is
that right?
Mrs. Mitchell. I don't get the question.
Mr. JoHANSEN. You have just said you would not discuss your opin-
ions or anyone's before this committee ; yet you acknowledge that you
did discuss your opinions regarding Little Rock, so you have a double
standard. Some opinions you will discuss before the committee.
Mrs. Mitchell. It seems to me tliat I am not required to discuss
my opinions before this committee. There are those that I v/ill discuss
that I would like this committee to be aware of.
Mr. Moulder. Do you have any knowledge of any subversive plans
or acts of disloyalty to our Government occurring or being planned at
any of the meetings mentioned by Mr. Tavenner ?
Mrs. Mitchell. You have placed the same questions maybe in a
different way that Mr. Tavenner has and I must give you the same
answer.
Mr. Moulder. If you had such knowledge of subversive or disloyal
acts or plans to overthrow our form of government by force and vio-
lence or to cooperate with the international scheme of the world
Communist Party movement, would you tell us about it ?
Mrs. MncHELL. It is my feeling that this committee does not ac-
complish whatever it is set out to accomplish.
Mr. Moulder. That is not responsive to my question.
Mrs. Mitchell. I am trying to answer your question if you will
give me just a moment.
It seems to me if anyone is guilty of any crime or any criminal act
that she should be called before a jury, a regular court, and be given
his day in court to answer to such charges, but to come before such
a hearing as this where, admittedly, the Supreme Court says in the
Watkins decision that Congress has no riglit to investigate
Mr. Moulder. That is not responsive. You heard the chairman's
statement at the beginning of this hearing that the objective of this
f
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 251
committee is to secm'e inl'ormiition to enable the Congress to better
legislate upon problems facing our country — the threat of the Com-
munist movement, and the efforts on the part of the Soviet Union to
dominate the world, including our own country.
If you have any information along that line, would you give it to
us to enable us to properly formulate legislation for your protection
as well as the rest of the people of this Nation ?
Mrs. Mitchell. There are already such laws to protect this coun-
try.
Mr. Moulder. Do you have any such information or knowledge ?
Mrs. IMiTcnELL. I have to refuse to answer that question.
Mr. Moulder. That is what I thought.
Mr. Tavenner. Actually, the Communist Party attacks all laws
dealing with security such as the Smith Act, the Walter-McCarran
Act, and various acts relating to the employment of subversives. They
fight, also, the FBI, which is engaged m fighting espionage and sabot-
age and other matters affecting the national defense and safety of the
country.
These veiy minutes show that the Communist Party is endeavoring
to mobilize forces to abolish this committee. In fact, it is engaged in
every type of activity that it can think of against the interests of this
country in the field of subversion. Is that not true ?
Mrs. Mitchell. If I am here accused of any criminal acts, then I
think that I should be called before a grand jury, but I do not think
that
Mr. Tavenner. Will you answer my question ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer your question on the
grounds previously stated.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Do you believe in the Constitution of the United
States?
Mrs. Mitchell. I do. I believe in it and I fight for it.
Mr. Moulder. Does the Communist Party believe in it? Does it
support its principles ?
Mrs. Mitchell. You are asking me about organizations and af-
filiations and I will not answer those questions before this committee.
I refuse to answer on the grounds previously mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Has any action been taken on Steinberg's motion ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not oppose Dorothy Healey at the meeting
of July 27, 1958, to which I liave referred by making a motion that the
reports which had been made be adopted — that is, the majority re-
ports, which Dorothy Healey had opposed ?
Were you not the one who made the motion that the committee re-
ports be accepted ?
Mrs. Mitchell. What is the pertinency of this kind of question to
the legislation that Mr. Walter referred to ?
Mr. JoiiANSEN. Does the Constitution require the Congress to pro-
vide for the general defense of the Nation ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Does Congi-ess provide it ?
Mr. Johansen. Does the Constitution require Congress to provide
for the general defense ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I think so, but -what has this kind of question to
do with providing for the national defense of the country?
252 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Walter, As a result of hearings of this sort over a period of
years, recommendations have been made to the Congress which have
resulted in the enactment of close to three dozen different laws, and
I do not know how many Executive orders.
You see, the accomplishments have been great — perhaps too great
for your purpose.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Those laws were enacted pursuant to the constitu-
tional authority vested in the Congress of the United States.
Mrs. MrrcHELL. They are all reprehensive laws and also very anti-
democratic.
Mr. Tavenner. "Will you answer the question, please ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Will you repeat the question ?
Mr. Tavenner. The question is whether or not you made the mo-
tion to accept the majority report from the national committee. ^
Mrs. Mitchell. I must stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. In making that motion, in speaking to it, did you
not support the position of the Communist Party with regard to the
execution of Nag}', that is, were you not in favor of it ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Here again, this is an area of opinion and ideas on
a certain subject. What happens in Hungary, happens in Hungary,
and I must refuse to answer you on the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you support the sending of Soviet troops into
Hungary ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I think the Hungarians will take care of their own
problems in their own way. They are a countiy outside of our own
soil. I have nothing to do with Hungary and I feel that my efforts
can much better be put to use in our own country, whatever they may
be, and I must refuse to answer your question on the previous grounds
mentioned.
Mr. TA^^NNER. I want to go back for a moment to my questioning
of you regardin^T your work among the young Communist groups.
Referring again to the minutes introduced in evidence as Mitchell
Exhibit No. 1, I see that considerable emphasis was placed upon a
drive, a Communist Party drive, to suppoi-t the People's World. Sec-
tion E of the minutes carries nearly half a page relating to a report
made by "Ben." Is that individual Ben Dobbs ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Ta"\^nner. What was the quota assigned to the various units
of the Communist Party in this area for money to be raised for the
People's World?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photostatic copy of what appears to
be, or purports to be, a report of the SoutheiTi California District
People's World drive standings as of October 24, 1958, showing 28
sections of the Communist Party by name, the quota assigned to each,
the amount raised by each after October 9, 1958, and the total raised.
Mr. Walter. Where were those 28 sections ?
Mr. Taa^enner. In the Southern District of California. They are
the sections that comprise this new Southern District of California.
Mr. Walter. What is that new Southern District ?
Mr. Tavenner. That is the name of it.
Mr. Walter. Of what does it consist ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 253
Mv. Tavenner. The State was divided into two districts, as we
brought out at the September hearings, and the Southern District
was described in that testimonj'^ as being bounded on the north by
Santa Barbara and Keni (bounties and everything south of that was
in the Southern District.
Mr. Walter, Does that inchide San Diego?
Mr. Tavennek. Yes, sir.
I hand you the report and ask you whether you can identify it as a
cori'ect report.
Mrs. iSliTCiiELL. I must stand on the j^revious grounds.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Have you seen the report before ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavennek. Are the 28 sections named there the correct titles
for the sections of the Communist Party for this district ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. IMoulder. So you decline to answer for the same reasons previ-
ously stated as provided for in the Constitution?
Mrs. Mitchell. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. This report shows a quota assignment of $43,000 for
these 28 sections, does it not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. It further shows that as of the date of this report
$39,468.07 of that quota had been raised. \Vliat is the total mem-
bei-ship of the 28 sections of the Communist Party in this district?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer on the grounds previously
given.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no other questions.
Mr. Moulder. I assume you have heard this many, many times.
Are you now a member of the Commmiist Party ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse to answer you on the grounds of the
U.S. Constitution.
JNIr. Moulder. Have you ever been ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. James E. Jackson of New York was the individual
who, as a member of the National Committee of the Communist Party,
made the report which caused the change of the position of the Com-
munist Party with regard to the Negro question, was he not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. I must refuse on the same grounds as previously
given.
Mr. Tavenner. Jam.es E. Jackson is now in the Soviet Union, is he
not, as a representative at the 21st Congress of the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You opposed his report, did you not ?
Mrs. Mitchell. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You opposed it on the gromid that the Negro people
still constitute a nation within a nation in the United States?
Mrs. Mitchell. I stand on the previous grounds mentioned.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
Do you swear the testimony you are about to give will be the tmth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Brodsky. I do.
254 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
TESTIMONY OF SEYMOTJK D. BRODSKY, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
LEO FENSTER
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat is your name, please ?
Mr. Brodsky. Seymour Brodsky.
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted that you are accompanied by counseL
Will counsel please identify himself for the record?
Mr. Fenster. Leo Fenster, 11363 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los
Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you bom, Mr. Brodsky.
Mr. Brodsky. October 26, 1916, in Johnstown, Pa.
Mr, Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your for-
mal educational training has been ?
Mr. Brodsky. I graduated from high school and a couple of years
of college.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you attend college ?
Mr. Brodsky. Los Angeles Junior College, it was, at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside?
Mr, Brodsky. In Wilmington.
Mr. Tavenner. In Wilmington, Calif, ?
Mr, Brodsky, Yes, sir,
Mr, Tavenner. Wlien did you move to California ?
Mr, Brodsky. In 1921.
Mr, Tavenner, Wliat is your occupation ?
Mr, Brodsky, I work in a drug store.
Mr. Tavenner. According to the committee's information, you were
present as a delegate to the organizational meeting of the Southern
California District Council of the Communist Party held at Park
Manor, 607 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, on April 13 and 14,
1957. Is that information correct as to you ?
Mr. Brodsky. I will have to refuse that question on the grounds of
self-incrimination.
Mr, Tavenner, Wliat are the various functionary positions that you
have held in the Communist Party ?
Mr, Brodsky, I refuse to answer that question on the same grounds,
sir,
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not, as long ago as 1950, an organizer for
the Western Division of the Los Angeles County Communist Party?
Mr. Brodsky. I refuse that question on the same grounds, sir,
Mr, Tavenner. Has not your specialty or your field of particular
activity in the Communist Party related to organizational work and
building up the numerical strength of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Brodsky. I refuse that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party as
long ago as 1940 ?
Mr, Brodsky. I refuse that question on the same grounds, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not a member of the Young Communist
League as early as 1935 ?
Mr, Brodsky, I would refuse that on the same grounds, sir.
Mr, Tavenner, Are you aware that upon the reorganization of the
Communist Party in California by the establishment of a Northern
and Southern District that the plan of the organization for the
Southern District included the appointment of 62 District Council
members ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 255
Mr. Brodsky. I would refuse on the grounds of self-incrimination.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was chairman of the organizational meeting
held on April 13 and 14, 1957 ?
Mr. Brodsky. I would refuse on the grounds of self-incrimination.
Mr. Tavenner. Healey Exhibit No. 10 is a document entitled, "The
Constitution and Organizational Committee Moves the Following for
Action by the Convention." A part of tliis resolution related to the
organizational setup of the Commmiist Party in southern California.
Did you play any part in that organizational effort?
Mr. Brodsky. I refuse on the same grounds, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Commmiist Party ?
Mr. Brodsky. I refuse on the same grounds.
Mr. Walter. We have no questions. The witness is excused.
Will you raise your right hand ?
Do you swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Dawson. I do.
TESTIMONY OF ADMIRAL GEORQE DAWSON, ACCOMPANIED BY
COUNSEL, HERBERT W. SIMMONS, JR.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please ?
Mr. Dawson. Admiral George Dawson.
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted that the witness is accompanied by
counsel.
Will counsel please identify himself for the record ?
Mr. Simmons. Herbert W. Simmons, Jr., California Bar, 343 West
Vernon.
Mr. Tavenner. Los Angeles ?
Mr. Simmons. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Dawson ?
(The witness conferred witht his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. Summerville, Tex., April 26, 1927.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside?
(The witnesses conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. On the advice of my counsel I refuse to answer that
question on the grounds of the first and fifth amendment of the Con-
stitution.
Mr. Tavenner. The marshal's return on the service of the subpena
on you shows that you were served at 6511/^ West 59th Place, Los
Angeles. Is that your residential address ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I think I answered that question previously on the
grounds of the first and fifth amendment to the Constitution. I refuse
to answer that.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Dawson. Under advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that
question on the grounds of the first and fifth amendment to the Con-
stitution.
Mr. Walter. You have merely been asked where you live. Do you
feel if you told this committee where you live you might subject your-
self to criminal prosecution?
38253 — 59— pt. 3 4
256 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the ground of the
first and fifth amendment on advice of my counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you first come to California ?
(Tlie witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment upon the advice of my counsel.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
tlie first and fifth amendments of the Constitution upon advice of my
counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee has information that you were a
delegate to the California State convention of the Communist Party
held on January 19 and 20, 1957. Is that information correct?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
iNIr. Dawson. On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that
question on the basis of the first and fifth amendments to the Consti-
tution.
Mr. Tavenner. Yfei'e you a delegate to the California State con-
vention at the date indicated?
(Tlie vritness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that
(luestion on the basis of the first and fifth amendments to the Consti-
tution of the United States of America.
>.Ir. Ta\'enner. Were you a delegate to the Southern California
District convention of the Coromunist Party on April 13 and 14,
1957?
(The witness conferred with his coimsel.)
Mr. Dawson. On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer
that question on the grounds of the first and fifth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's investigation has shown that you
were active in the Labor Youth League work in Los Angeles for a
period of time. Will you tell the committee, please, whether you have
at any time been connected with the Labor Youth League in Los
Angeles ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. On the advice of my counsel, I refuse to answer that
riuestion on the grounds of the first, and fifth amendment to the
Constitution.
Mr. Moulder. Mv. C'hairman, I would like to ask the witness this
question : Is it because counsel so advises you to answer in that way
or do you, yourself, believe in good faith that if you answered that
([iiestion it would subject you to criminal prosecution?
CTlie witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to ansAver that question on the grounds of
the first and fiftli amendm(Mit to the Constitution of the United States
of America.
Mr. Taaionner. Were you not in 1956 the. legislative director of the
Los Angeles County Labor Youth League?
(The witness conferred x>:\th his counsel.)
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 257
INIr. Dawsojst. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fiftli amendment to the Constitution of the United States
of America.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you serve in the Armed Forces of the United
States ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fiftli amendment to the Constitution of the United States
of America.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question. Did you
serve in the Armed Forces of the United States ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the ground of
the first and fifth amendment of tlie Constitution of the United States.
Mr. Walter. Do you feel if you admitted that you served in the
Armed Forces of tlie United States that you would be subject to
prosecution ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendments of the Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not discharged from the United States
Army for refusing to sign the required loyalty oath ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fifth amendments of the Constitution to the United
States.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee is in possession of information indi-
cating that there is a youth organization of the Communist Party in
Los Angeles which is generally referred to as the Admiral Dawson
Group. Will you state, please, whether or not you have been assigned
by the Communist Party to serve as an adult in connection with the
work of a group of the young Communist members in this area ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fifth amendments of the United States.
Mr. Tavenner. I may have misdescribed the organization I had
in mind. The organization, as I understand it, is a group of former
members of the Labor Youth I^eague. Have you been assigned by
the Communist Party to work with a group of former members of
the Labor Youth League ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fifth amendments to the Constitution of the United
States of America.
Mr. Tavenner. You are a member of the Youth Commission of the
Communist Party of the Southern District of California at the pres-
ent time, are you not ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first amendment to the Constitution and the fifth amendment to
the Constitution of the United States of America.
Mr. Tavenner. At the April 1957 meeting of the Commimist Party
of the Southern District of California, did you hear the report made
by Dorothy Healey regarding youth organizational work ?
258 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first amendment to the Constitution and the fifth amendment to
the Constitution of the United States of America.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat is being done now in Los Angeles to imple-
ment the plans of the Communist Party with regard to youth in this
area?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America
and the fifth amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Mr. TA^^ENNER. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr, Dawson. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of
the first and fifth amendments of the Constitution of the United
States.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Smith. I do.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. ELEANOR SMITH, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
HERBERT W. SIMMONS, JR.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. Eleanor Smith.
Mr. Ta^t.nner. Miss or Mrs. ?
(The vritness conferred with her counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. You certainly do not have to consult with counsel to
answer that question.
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
IMrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of tlie
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mrs. Smith. Same answer.
]\Ir. Walter. Do you honestly believe that if you told this commit-
tee whether you were married you would be confronted with probable
criminal prosecution ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. S:\iiTH. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Moulder. As I understand the question, the question was to
determine whether or not she was acting in good faith.
You have not answered in response to the chairman's question.
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted that the witness is accompanied by the
same counsel who accompanied the former witness.
His name is Herbert Simmons.
Mr. Simmons. My name is Herbert Simmons, 343 West Vernon,
Los Angeles, Calif., of the California Bar.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 259
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you reside?
(The \^'itness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question as to where
you reside.
(Tlie witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. The same answer. I refuse to answer on tlie grounds
of the first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Tavtenner. The marshal's return shows that you were served at
651 West 59th Place, Los Angeles. Is that the place of your resi-
dence ?
(The Avitness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Moulder. The chairman propounded the question to you a few
moments ago testing your good faith in using the Constitution as a
protection in your refusal or declination to answer.
The questions that are being submitted to the witness are formal,
introductory requests. Do you realize and understand that taking the
position you do in refusing to answer any questions, regardless of what
they might be, may possibly place you in a position of being subject to
prosecution for contempt ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to tlie Constitution.
Mr. Moulder. I wanted the record to be clear that you are being-
advised by the committee of the position in which you are placing
yourself by just taking a belligerent attitude in refusing to answer any
question regardless of whom it is submitted by, either counsel or mem-
bers of this committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you acquainted with Admiral George Dawson ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted his address is 6511/^ West 59th Place,
which must be next door to you. Doesn't he live next door to you ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel. )
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. At this time you are a member of the Communist
Party in this area, are you not ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Ta\t;nner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. How are you employed ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel)
Mrs. Smith. I am unemployed.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your last employment ?
260 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Tavennee. Do you appear here pursuant to a subpena served
on you ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Moulder. Let the record show that the witness has stated her
name and that she has been unemployed.
How long have you been unemployed ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Smith. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
Will you raise your right hand ?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help
you God ?
Mr. Young. I do.
TESTIMONY OP CLARENCE GEORGE YOUNG, ACCOMPANIED BY
COUNSEL, HERBERT W. SIMMONS, JR.
Mr. Tavenner. State your name, please.
Mr. Young. My name is Clarence George Young.
Mr. Tavenner. Counsel will please identify himself for the record.
Mr. Simmons. Herbert W. Simmons, Jr., California Bar, 343 West
Vernon, JjOs Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you live, Mr. Young ?
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the fifth amendment.
Mr. Walter. You are here in response to a subpena, are you not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. Would you repeat the question, please ?
(The pending question was read by the reporter.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the ground of the
first and fifth amendment.
]SIr. Walter. What are you doing here then, if you are not appear-
ing in response to a subpena ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Would you not have very seriously incriminated
yourself if you had not responded to the subpena?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I don't understand the question that you just asked.
Mr. Moulder. The point is to find out whether or not you are the
proper person appearing here as a witness as a result of the issuance
of a subpena. If you are the wrong man, then most certainly an error
has been committed. Wliat is the name on the subpena ?
Mr. Tavenner. Clarence Young.
Mi\ Moulder. Is that yourname ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 2t)l
Mr. Young. I stated that Avlien I came in here.
Mr. Moulder, What is your address ?
Mr. Young. I refused to answer that question.
Mr. Moulder. What does the subpena served show ?
Mr. Tavenner. The subpena shows it was served upon Clarence
Young at Consolidated Western Steel at 5700 South Eastern.
Mr. Moulder. Is this the right man ?
Mr. Tavenner. Was this paper served on you or a copy of it?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the ground of tlie
fifth amendment.
Mr. Johansen. Why are you here ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. Repeat the question, please ?
Mr. Johansen. Why are you here ?
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you employ an attorney before you came into
this room ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. Yes ; I did acquire an attorney and he is sitting here
by my side.
Mr. Tavenner. Why did you do that if you were not subpenaed here
as a witness?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I don't particularly understand that question as you
put it.
Mr. Tavenner. Why would you go to the trouble of getting a lawyer
to come here with you unless you were subpenaed by the marshal to
come?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Let me see your driver's permit.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. You have handed me your driver's permit which is
in the nam^e of Clarence George Young, address, 6511/2 West 59th
Place, Los Angeles. Did you not live at that address in September of
last year, 1958?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment as previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. You do not live at the address on your driver's permit
now, do you ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. You have changed your address from that now
appearing on your driver's permit to 1503 Broadacres, Compton, have
you not ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
262 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. You are employed by Consolidated Western Steel
at 5700 South Eastern, Los Angeles, are you not?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds previ-
ously stated.
Mr. Moulder. In order to make the record clear, may I interpose
this statement : First, to explain to the witness that the normal ques-
tions now being submitted to you are, as I would understand it, to
ascertain whether or not you are the proper witness named in the
subpena. It is a very simple proposition and certainly there is no
question about the authority of this committee to issue subpenas.
The witness has refused to give us the information to ascertain
whether or not the person intended to be subpenaed is you and you
have refused to answer those questions. Now, you understand, do you
not, that by so refusing you may be placing yourself in the position
of being in contempt of this committee and the Congress of the United
States and subject to prosecution for refusing to answer those ques-
tions. You do understand that, do you not?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Young. I still refuse to answer the questions on the grounds
previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Young, in any event, you are the Clarence
Young wlio was on the organizing committee of the Labor Youth
League in Los Angeles, are you not ?
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you occasionally engage in the work of an
artist or cartoonist ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Ta"\^nner. Are you the Clarence Young who was active in
the Independent Progressive Party in 1947 ?
(The witnesss conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Where were you born ?
Mr, Young. I was born in New Orleans, La.
Mr. Ta\'enner. You came to Los Angeles from New Orleans in
1947, did you not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the first and fifth
am.endments.
Mr. Tavenner. You have done work in drawing cartoons under the
alias of "Clay" for the Pacific Coast Youth Recorder, a defunct official
organ of the Labor Youth League, have you not ?
(The witness conferred wdth his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the questions on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. You are the Clarence Yomig who has been active
in the Young Progressives of America, the Civil Rights Congress, and
the American Youth Peace Crusade, are you not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 263
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. You are the Clarence Young who is a member of
the District Council of the Communist Party for the Southern District
of California at this time, are you not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds of the
first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tav-ennek. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moulder. Do you still refuse to answer the question as to
whether or not a subpena was served upon you to appear before this
committee ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Simmons. For the purpose of the record, I will stipulate that
he is one and the same person.
Mr. Moulder. I am asking the witness. Were you subpenaed and
are you appearing here as the result of a subpena being served upon
you?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.) ^
Mr. Young. Would you repeat the question again, please?
(The pending question was read by the reporter.)
Mr. Young. Yes. I did receive a subpena and I am here because
of that reason.
Mr. JoiiANSEN. Then, it was not a truthful statement which you
made under oath that to answer that question would jeopardize your
rights under the first and fifth amendments ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Young. I refuse to answer the question on the ground of the
first and fifth amendment.
(Whereupon, at 12 :07 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 1959, the hearing
was recessed, to be reconvened at 2 p.m., the same day.)
AFTERNOON SESSION, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1959
Mr. Moulder (presiding) . The committee will be in order.
Do you solemnly swear that the e\'idence you are about to pve will
be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you
God?
Miss Blair. I do.
TESTIMONY OF HELEN BLAIR, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
ROBERT W. KENNY AND J. ERANKEL
Mr. Tavenner. State your name, please.
Miss Blair. Helen Blair.
Mr. Tavenner. Miss or Mrs. ?
Miss Blair. I use Miss. I am divorced.
Mr. Tavenner. It is noted that you are accompanied by two gen-
tlemen. Will they please identify themselves for the record ?
Mr. KJENNY. Robert W. Kenny.
Mr. Frankel. J. Frankel.
Mr. Tavenner. You are both members of the State Bar of Cali-
fornia ?
38253 — 59— pt. 3 5
264 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Kenny. Yes, sir.
Mr. Frankel. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you reside, Miss Blair ?
Miss Blair. 1774 North Orange Grove Avenue, Hollywood.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a native of the State of California ?
Miss Blair. No.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliere were you born ?
Miss Blair. Michigan.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in California ?
Miss Blair. Since 1932.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation ?
Miss Blair. I am unemployed at the moment. I was self-employed
for a period and then I have done free-lance secretarial work. Part
of the time I was married and then I had jobs.
Mr. Tavenner. What type of employment when you were self-
employed ?
Miss Blair. In the silk screen art business.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat has been your formal educational training?
Miss Blair. I graduated from the Morenci, Mich., high school and
attended the University of Michigan for a year and tlien, later, went
to a business school, both in Boston and in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's information is that you attended
the organizational meeting of the newly formed Southern California
District organization of the Communist Party which was held on
April 13-14, 1957. I would like to ask you whether you did attend
that convention.
Miss Blair. I will decline to answer that question on the grounds
of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you receive in advance of that convention a
report by a Dorothy Healey regarding the National Committee meet-
ing of the Communist Party held in February 1957 ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that on the same grounds as pre-
viously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Dorothy Healey presented at the meeting to which
I referred, the one of April 13-14, 1957, a program for the advance-
ment of the Communist Party in this area. Have you participated
in any way in the advancement of that program ?
Miss Blair. This question I also refuse to answer on the same
grounds.
Mr. Moulder. Miss Blair, do you know Dorothy Healey ?
Miss Blair. This question I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you personally acquainted with the program
of reorganization of the Communist Party in the Los Ajigeles area ?
Miss Blair. I refuse to answer this question on the same grounds
as previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the executive board of the
Southern California Chapter of the Arts, Sciences, and Professions?
Miss Blair. This question I decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. You stated that you are divorced. Was your mar-
ried name Helen B. Stewart?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 265
Mr. Tavenner. The committee from time to time has included in
its investigation the activities of the Communist Party in connection
with the Rosenberg case. Were you active in the work of the Com-
mittee to Secure Justice in the Rosenberg Case back in the year 1953 ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photostatic copy of a letterhead un-
der the date of July 2, 1953, of the Committee to Secure Justice in the
Rosenberg Case, and ask you to examine the seventh name in the list
of sponsors and state whether or not you find your name there as one
of the sponsors of that organization.
(A document was handed to the witness.)
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Miss Blair. I refuse to answer this question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to introduce the document and ask that it
be marked "Helen Blair Exhibit No. 1."
Mr. Moulder. It will be so marked and made a part of the record.
(Document marked "Helen Blair Exhibit No. 1," and retained in
committee files.)
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a thermofax copy of an excerpt from
the September 11, 1952, issue of the People's World, and I ask if you
see there an item headed, "24 Sponsor Rosenberg LA Meeeting."
(Document handed to witness.)
Miss Blair. This I decline to answer also on the same grounds.
Mr. Ta\^nner. I desire to introduce this document into evidence
and request that it be marked Helen Blair Exhibit No. 2.
Mr. Moulder, The document will be so marked and made a part of
the record.
(Document marked "Helen Blair Exhibit No. 2," and retained in
committee files.)
Mr. Tavenner. I read into the record a part of this document with
the chairman's permission :
Twenty-four prominent Southern Californians were listed today as sponsors
for Friday's rally to secure justice for Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, sentenced to
die in a frameup "spy" case. Atty. William Esterman, local chairman of the
National Lawyers Guild, will chair the meeting at 8 :30 p.m., Sept. 12, at Em-
bassy auditorium. Ninth st. and Grand ave.
Speakers will include John Howard Lawson, Samuel Ornitz and Horace V.
Alexander. * * *
On the sponsors list are Dr. Murray Abowitz, Jack Berman, Helen
Blair, and others named there. Were you a sponsor of the meeting
described in this article ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you know William Esterman as a member of
the Communist Party ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question, also, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party in
1952, the date of Blair Exhibit No. 2, and, also, on July 2, 1953, the
date of the letterhead of the Committee to Secure Justice in the Rosen-
berg Case ?
. Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what knowl-
edge you have of the activity of the Communist Party in this area in
266 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
the promotion of the work of the Committee to Secure Justice in the
Eosenberg Case ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question, also, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a sponsor of the Los Angeles Committee
for Protection of Foreign Bom in a conference held on February 28,
1954, on the campaign to repeal the Walter- McCarran Law ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a thermofax copy of an excerpt from
the February 2, 1954, issue of the People's World and ask you to
state wliether or not you see there a statement that joining the com-
mittee in sponsorship of the conference w^ere Dr. Murray Abowitz,
Jacob Aspiz, Helen Blair, and certain other persons ?
Miss Blair. Same answer.
Mr. Moulder. May I pursue the statement here for a moment ?
The question is, do you see that on that document ? The document
is handed to you and it is a very simple question. Does your name
appear in the article ?
Miss Blair. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds of the
fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you participate in a sponsorship of that move-
ment ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to introduce the document in evidence and
ask that it be marked "Helen Blair Exhibit No. 3."
Mr. Moulder. It will be admitted into evidence as requested by
counsel.
(Document marked "Helen Blair Exhibit No. 3," and retained
in committee files.)
Mr. Tavenner. Did I ask you where you were born ?
Miss Blair. Yes ; Morenci, Mich.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds
as previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moulder. You came to California from Michigan ?
Miss Blair. Yes.
Mr. Moulder. In what year ?
Miss Blair. 1932.
Mr. Moulder. You say by professional occupation you are a stenog-
rapher, self-employed ?
Miss Blair. Yes. I do free-lance work, mostly.
Mr. Moulder. Do you work out of an office ?
Miss Blair. Occasionally.
Mr. Moulder. Do you have a headquarters ?
Miss Blair. Not in other offices.
Mr. Moulder. You are just subject to call at your residence ?
Miss Blair. Yes.
Mr. Moulder. How long have you been here in California?
Miss Blair. It is 25 years.
Mr. Moulder. During that period of time were you permanently
or continuously occupied in any office?
Miss Blair. At various times for periods of a couple of years.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 267
Mr. Moulder. Law offices or other business enterprises ?
Miss Blair. A couple of short periods in law offices, generally in
small industry or other offices.
Mr. Moulder. In the performance of such service, were you ever
called upon to perform services for any Communist Party organi-
zation ?
Miss Blair. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds
as previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you live at one time in Seattle, Wash.?
Miss Blair. No.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Moulder. The witness is excused.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony which you are about to
give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. BisKAR. I do.
TESTIMONY OF ETHEL BISKAR, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
JOHN T. McTERNAN
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state you name, please ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. Mrs. Ethel Biskar.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please
identify himself for the record ?
Mr. McTernan. I am John T. McTernan, 112 West 9th Street, Los
Angeles, 15.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mrs. Biskar ?
Mrs. Biskar. I was born in New York City in 1935.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mrs. Biskar. Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your address ?
Mrs. B1SKA.R. 4112 Palmwood Drive.
Mr. Ta%'enner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mrs. Biskar. Ten years.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that, where did you live ?
Mrs. Biskar, New York City.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your
formal educational training has been ?
Mrs. Biskar. Junior high school, senior high school, and junior
college.
Mr. Tavenner. What has been your employment record since you
have been in Los Angeles ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Biskar. It is very difficult for me to remember each job. Do
you want me to go into every job I have ever had?
Mr. Tavenner. What is your present employment?
Mrs. Biskar. I am employed by the Pacific Telephone and Tele-
graph Co.
Mr. Tavenner. For how long ?
Mrs. Biskar. Four and a half years,
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that, what was your employment?
Mrs. Biskar. I worked for an insurance company.
Mr. Tavenner. For how long a period ?
268 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mrs. BisKAR. About 6 months.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that, how were you employed?
Mrs. BisKAR. I worked in tlie garment industry.
Mr. Tavenner. What phase of the garment industry ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. I was an operator.
Mr. Tavenner. Over what period of time were you so employed?
Mrs. BiSKAR. The year was 1953.
Mr. Tavenner. Mrs. Biskar, the committee's investigation has dis-
closed that on January 20, 1957, you were a delegate to the California
State convention of the Communist Party held in Los Angeles; is
that information correct ?
Mrs. Biskar. I am going to have to refuse to answer that question
on, first of all, the grounds of the first amendment which gives me
freedom of speech, press, assembly, etc., and also, on the grounds that
I feel if I were to answer this question I would be undermining the
traditional liberties and rights of the people of this country.
I also refuse to answer this question on the grounds of the fifth
amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party in
1957?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. To be more specific, on January 20, 1957.
Mrs. Biskar. I will have to refuse to answer on the grounds previ-
ously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you think it would undermine the rights of
the people of this country if you were to tell this committee what you
know about communism in Los Angeles ?
Mrs. Biskar. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds
previously stated.
Mr. TA^^:NNER. Were you in attendance at the organizational meet-
ing of the Southern District of the Communist Party for the State of
California held in Los Angeles on April 13-14, 1957?
Mrs. Biskar. Same answer.
Mr. Taatenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party at
that time ?
Mrs. Biskar. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee has information that you are pres-
ently under assignment of the Communist Party in youth work. Are
you engaged in that type of work for the Communist Party?
Mrs. Biskar. I will refuse to answer that question on the grounds
previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you at this time a member of the Youtli Com-
mission of the Communist Party for the Southern District of Cali-
fornia?
Mrs. Biskar. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to the reorganization of the Communist
Party in Southern California in April of 1957, had you at any time
been a member of the Labor Youth League ?
Mrs. Biskar. I will have to refuse to answer that on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you attend a meeting of the Labor Youth
League at the Danish Auditorium, 1359 West 24th Street, on Febru-
ary 17,1956?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 269
Mrs. BisKAR. Same answer.
Mr, Tavenner. Did you attend a lecture on dialectical materialism
given by Frank Carlson before the Los Angeles County Labor Youth
League on August 16, 1956, at a meeting held at 1261 South Andrews
Place in Los Angeles ?
Mrs. BisKAR. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. What is the answer?
Mrs. BisKAR. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you refuse to answer ?
Mrs. BisKAR. On the grounds that I have already stated.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's investigation discloses that the
Labor Youth League was dissolved on February 24, 1957. Were you
a member of it at the time of its dissolution ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. During the course of this hearing — in fact that
pliase of it which was held in September of 1958 — there was introduced
in evidence a copy of a letter known as the letter of the 22 persons
who signed grievances against the Communist Party. That is, by
22 persons who were members of the Communist party.
Are you acquainted with the preparation of that letter ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. I refuse to answer on the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Subsequent to that, there was a letter of resigna-
tion sent into the Communist Party under date of March 26, 1958.
Do you know anything about the preparation of that letter?
Mrs. Biskar. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you aware of the fact that the persons who
signed that letter of resignation did so in part for the reason that the
Communist Party was under the complete control of the Soviet
Union ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds pre-
viously stated.
Mr, Taat3nner. Did anyone approach you about the signing of a
letter of resignation ?
Mrs. Biskar, Same answer,
Mr, Tavenner, Do you know how many youth group organizations
there are in the Communist Party in Los Angeles at this time ?
Mrs, BiSKAR, Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner, Do you laiow whether adult members of the Com-
munist Party are, or have been, assigned to these groups of young
Communists for the purpose of directing them in their studies?
Mrs, BisKAR, I refuse to answer that question on the grounds pre-
viously stated,
Mr, Tavenner, Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mrs. BiSKAR, Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Moulder. I have one or two questions which I think should go
into the record.
You say you were born in New York ?
Mrs. Biskar. That is true.
Mr. Moulder. You came to California at what age ?
Mrs. BiSKAR, Thirteen.
Mr. Moulder. You came here with your parents ?
Mrs. BisKAR. Yes.
270 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Moulder. Were they born in New York ?
Mrs. BiSKAR. I don't see where this has any bearing on this
investigation.
Mr. Moulder. Maybe not. It is just preliminary questioning into
your background. I was wondering whether your people were born
in America or if they were naturalized.
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. BiSKAR. I do not think it is pertinent to this investigation.
Mr. Moulder. I do not have any other questions. Do you have any
questions, Mr. Tavenner ?
Mr. Tavenner. I have no other questions.
Mr. Moulder. You are excused.
liaise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony which you are about to
give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and noth-
ing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. ENriAJLA^N. I do.
TESTIMONY OF EDWAUD M. ENFIAJIAN, ACCOMPANIED BY
COUNSEL, JOHN T. McTERNAN
Mr. Ta\^nner. \Yiil you state your name, please ?
Mr. Enfiajian. My name is Edward M. Enfiajian.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identif v himself for the record ?
Mr. McTernan. John T. McTernan, 112 Northwest 9th Street,
Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I was born in Los Angeles in 1928.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Enfiajian. 944 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, 29.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you lived in Los Angeles all your life ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I have, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What has been your formal educational training ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I was educated in the public schools in Los Angeles,
Los Angeles City College, and I have a bachelor of arts degree from
Los Angeles State College and I have done graduate work since then.
Mr. Tavenner. When were you awarded your B.A. degree?
Mr. Enfiajian. I am not sure of the date. I believe it was in 1954
or 1955. It was in the summer.
Mr. Tavenner. How are you employed?
Mr. Enfiajian. I am employed as an engraver, a trophy engraver,
and related work.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been so employed ?
Mr. Enfiajian. About 4 years.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's investigation has disclosed that the
first interest that you have shown in the Communist Party was around
the year 1956 when you became active in the Labor Youth League.
Did your first interest in the Communist Party begin at that time
and in that phase of Communist work ?
Mr. Enfiajian. Are you asking me of my interests ?
Mr. Tavenner. Was that your first interest in the Communist
Party?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 271
Mr. Enfiajian". Would you repeat that question, please?
Mr. Tavenner. Is the committee's information correct that your
first interest in the Commimist Party was during the year 1956 ?
Mr. Enfiajiax. I will have to decline to answer that question, sir.
on the constitutional grounds which are afforded me.
Mr. Tavenner. The constitutional grounds?
Mr. Enfiajian. That's right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What constitutional grounds?
Mr. Enfiajian. I have specificaUy in mind the first amendment
of the Constitution and the fifth amendment of the Constitution and
other privileges granted by the Federal Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you including that provision of the fifth
amendment relating to self-incrimination?
Mr. Enfiajian. Yes, sir, I am including that.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you active in the Labor Youth League work
of the Communist Party in 1956 ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I Avill not answer that question for the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. As a matter of fact, were you not on the finance
coimnittee of the Labor Youth League?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question on the same
grounds.
Mr, Tavenner. The coimnittee has introduced into evidence during
the course of these hearings a statement purportedly made by Dorothy
Healey at the organizational meeting of the Communist Party in
April of 1957 in which she outlined the program of the youth work
of the Communist Party. We have introduced evidence relating to
the type of youth work performed since that time in conformity with
that program.
Now, I want to ask you whether or not you were at any time, or
whether you have at any time since April 1957, been a member of the
Youth Commission of the Commimist Party for the Southern District
of California.
Mr. Enfiajian. I will decline to answer that question on the same
grounds, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that in October of 1958 you were
given a position on the section level of the Communist Party in
Southern California which made it inadvisable for you to continue
work with the Youth Commission?
Mr. Enfiajian. Are you asking me a question, sir ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Enfiajian. Would you mind restating the question?
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that you were given a position in
October of 1958 on the section level of the Communist Party which
necessitated your removal from the position of a member of the Youth
Commission of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I will not answer that question on the same
grounds, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party in
October, 1958?
Mr. Enfiajian. I will not answer that question for the same
grounds.
38253— 59— pt. 3-
272 COMMtTNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. Are you at this time organizational S4>iretary of
the Communist Party ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question on the same
grounds, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moulder. What did you say your age was ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I said I was born in 1928.
Mr. Moulder. Have you ever served in the Armed For.ws of the
United States?
Mr. Enfiajian. I have,
Mr. Moulder. In what capacity and what period of time f
Mr. Enfiajian. I enlisted in the Air National Guard of California
and that unit was called into Federal service on May 1, 1951 . I served
until 1953 in the Air Force of the United States.
Mr. Moulder. You were discharged ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I was.
Mr. Moulder. Did you receive an honorable discharge?
Mr. Enfiajian. Yes, sir.
Mr. Moulder. Are you married ?
Mr. Enfiajian. No, sir.
Mr. Moulder. What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I am doing engraving work for a trophy shop.
Mr. Johansen. Did you, as a member of the Armed Forces, take an
oath stating that you were not a member of any organization com-
mitted to the overthrow of the Government of the United States by
force and violence ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question, sir, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Johansen. Do I understand you, then, to say tliat you believe
that it would incriminate you to answer a factual question as to
whether you did take such an oath?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Enfiajl^n. My attorney advises me that I do not have to state
the reason for claiming my privileges under the Constitution.
Mr. Johansen. You were honorably discharged ?
Mr. Enfiajian. That is correct.
Mr. Johansen. Did you serve in Korea ?
Mr. Enfiajian. No, sir, I did not. The principal part of mj serv-
ice was in Germany.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party before
you became a member of the Armed Forces ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question, sir, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Moulder. Were you a member of the Communist Party at any
time while serving in the Armed Forces ?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question, sir, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Moulder. Were you a member of any organization which seeks
to overthrow our present form of Government by force or violence?
Mr. Enfiajian. I decline to answer that question on the same
grounds.
Mr. Moulder. The witness is excused.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 273
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony which you are about to
give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Maymudes. I do.
TESTIMONY OF AUGUST MAYMUDES, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
JOHN T. MeTERNAN
Mr. Tavenner, Will you state your name, please ?
Mr. I^Iatmudes. August Maymudes.
Mr. Tavenner. Spell your last name.
Mr. Maymudes. M-a-y-m-u-d-e-s.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record?
Mr. McTernan. John T. McTernan, 112 Wast Ninth Street, Los
Angeles 15, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. "Wlien and where were you born ?
Mr. Maymudes. I was born August 25, 1930, in the city of New
York.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Maymudes. At 811 or 813 North Iliberian. There are two
apartments with a common entrance and I have never been quite sure,
Mr. Tavenner. Los Angeles ?
Mr. Maymudes. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mr. Maymudes. Since 1933.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation ?
Mr. Maymudes. Pharmacist.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been following that occupation?
Mr. ]VL\YMUDEs. I have been employed in the field for 8 years. I
have been a licensed pharmacist for about a year and a half.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee briefly, please, what
your formal educational training has been ?
Mr. Maymudes. Public schools in Los Angeles through high school
and a degree in doctor of pharmacy from the University of Southern
California.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you acquainted with Shif ra Goldman ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer that question on the basis of the
first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you also acquainted with Edward M. Enfiajian ?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse on the same basis.
Mr. Tavenner. Admiral Dawson ?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse on the same basis.
Mr. Tavenner. Ethel Bi; kar?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse on the same basis.
Mr. Tavenner. And Charlene Mitchell ?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse on the same basis.
Mr. Tavenner. Eleanor Smith?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse on the same basis.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Maymudes, are you familiar with a report made
by Dorothy Healey at the organizational meeting of the Communist
274 COMMUNISM m southern CALIFORNIA AREA
Party for the Southern District of California held in April, 1957,
relating to the youth movement in southern California?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. TA^'T:NNER. Shortly after that meeting, in April of 1957, were
you appointed to the Youth Commission of the Communist Party com-
posed of the persons whose names I asked you about a few moments
ago?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Youth Commission of
the Communist Party for the Southern District of California ?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answ^er on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you served in the Armed Forces of the
United States ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Maymudes. Yes, I have.
Mr. Tavenner. Over what period of time ?
Mr. Maymudes. FromMarchof 1951 until February of 1953.
Mr. Tavenner. In what branch of the service were you ?
Mr. Maymudes. I was in the Army.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you receive an honorable discharge ?
Mr. Maymudes. Yes, I did.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party prior
to your entry into the armed service ?
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds as previous-
ly stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party at any
time while you were serving in the Armed Forces of the United States !
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. In w^hat area did you serve ? Were you in Korea ?
Mr. Maymudes. I served in Japan the majority of my time.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you in Korea during any part of your service ?
Mr. Maymudes. No.
Mr. Johansen. Did you, upon entering the Army, take an oath
swearing that you belonged to no organization which advocated the
overthrow of the Government by force and violence ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Johansen. Are you a member of the Communist Party now *
Mr. Maymudes. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moulder. The witness is excused.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony which you are about
to give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Goldman. I do.
TESTIMONY OP SHIFRA GOLDMAN, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
ESTHEE SHANDLER
Mr. Tavenner. State your name, please.
Mrs. Goldman. Shif ra Goldman.
Mr. Tavenner. Miss or Mrs. ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 275
Mrs. Goldman. Mi's.
Mr. Tavenner. Spell your first name, please,
Mrs. Goldman. S-h-i-f-r-a.
Mf. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please iden-
tify herself ?
Miss Shandler. Esther Shandler.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your maiden name, Mi-s. Goldman ?
Mrs. Goldman. Before I answer that question, I would like to in-
quire to the nature of this discussion here today.
Mr. Moulder. May we ask counsel for additional information con-
cerning her location and so forth ?
Miss Shandler. I am located at 208 West 8th Street, Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. The witness has asked to be advised with respect to
this hearing.
At the beginning of this meeting, the chairman announced that this
is a continuation of the hearing begun here in September of 1958.
He read into the record the resolution adopted by this committee on
the 23d of January 1959, authorizing the holding of this hearing,
which I will review with you. Tlie resolution is as follows :
Be it resolved,, That a hearing by the Committee on Un-American Activities,
or a subcommittee thereof, to be held in Los Angeles, Calif., or at such other
place or places as the chairman may designate, on such date or dates as the
chairman may determine, be authorized and approved, including the conduct
of investigations deemed reasonably necessary by the staff in preparation there-
for, relating to the extent, character and objects of Communist Party activities
in California, with special reference to such activities in southern California,
the legivSlative purpose being :
1. (a) To obtain additional information for use by the committee in its con-
sideration of section 16 of H.R. 9352 relating to the proposed amendment of
section 4 of the Communist Control Act of 1954 referred to the Committee on
Un-American Activities on August 19, 1957, prescribing a penalty for knowingly
and willfully becoming or remaining a member of the Communist Party with
linowledg*' <«f the purposes or olgectivrs theroof : and
Cb) To obtain additional information, adding to the committee's overall
knowledge on the subject so that Congress may be kept informed and thus
prepared to enact remedial legislation in the national defense, and for internal
security, when and if the exigencies of the situation require it.
2. In the exercise of continuous watchfulness of the execution by the admin-
istrative agency concerned of laws the subject matter of which is within the
juridiction of this committee, to obtain information to assist the House in
appraising the administration of such laws and in developing such amendments
or related legislation as the committee may deem necessary.
Now, my question to you is, will you please state your maiden name ?
Mrs. Goldman. In view of what you just read to me, what relevancy
does my maiden name have to your discussion?
Mr. Tavenner. May I haA^e a direction? It is a matter of iden-
tification of the witness.
Mr. Moulder. It is purely an introductory statement asked of you
so you may identify yourself for the record as a witness subpenaed
here before this committee and you are directed to answer the question.
(The witness conferred with her counsel. )
Mrs. Goldman. If I understand the question correctly, you want
my identification. I have identified myself as the person identified
in the subpena.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you please answer my question ?
(The witness conferred with her comisel.)
276 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. I am not certain whether the chairman directed her
to answer the question.
Mr. Moulder. Yes, she has been directed to answer the question.
Mrs. Goldman. I feel that this is an invasion of my rights under
the Constitution of the United States to freedom of speech and as-
sociation and I will claim the privileges of the two amendments that
guarantee me these rights, the first and the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you relying upon that part of the fifth amend-
ment which relates to self-incrimination ?
Mrs. Goldman. I would say the right of a witness not to testify
against himself, yes.
Mr. Ta\'enner. Do you honestly believe that to answer the ques-
tion as to what your maiden name was would tend to incriminate
370U?
( The witness conferred with her counsel. )
Mr. Tavenner. If you do not honestly believe that, you are just
attempting to play with this committee.
Mrs. Goldman. I stand on the same answer I gave previously.
Mr. Moulder. I did not understand the witnesss' name stated in
the beginning. "^^Hiat did you say it was ?
Mrs. Goldman. G-o-l-d-m-a-n.
Mr. Moulder. What is the first name ?
Mrs. Goldman. S-h-i-f-r-a.
Mr. Moulder. Is that Miss or Mrs. ?
Mrs. Goldman. As I stated before, it is Mrs.
Mr. Moulder. Then you are married ?
Mrs. Goldman. No, I am not.
Mr. Moulder. You are divorced?
Mrs. Goldman. Yes, I am.
Mr. Moulder. Since you answered those questions concerning your
marital status, will you tell us what your name was before you were
married ?
Mrs. GoLMAN. I would like to decline to answer the question on
the same grounds previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. A^^ien and where were you born ?
Mrs. Goldman. I was born in the United States in 1926,
Mr. Tavenner. In what part of the United States ?
Mrs. Goldman. New York.
Mr. Tavenner. WiU you state the date and place, please ?
Mrs. Goldman. 1920 ; that makes me 32 years old.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliere do you now reside ?
Mrs. Goldman. Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. At what address ?
Mrs. Goldman. 4419 Seventh Avenue.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mrs. Goldman. Approxunately 15 years.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you lived in Los Angeles continuously since
that date?
Mrs. Goldman. Yes, I have.
Mr. Tavenner. Tell the conmiittee what your formal educational
training has been.
Mrs. Goldman. I graduated high school and I proceeded to college.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliere did you attend college ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 277
Mrs. Goldman. The University of California at Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. How many years did you attend ?
Mrs. Goldman. Four and a half years.
Mr. Taatenner, What was your last year of attendance ?
Mrs. Goldman. Do you mean which year did I leave the school?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mrs. Goldman. 1948.
Mr. Tavenner. That was your last attendance?
Mrs. Goldman. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat is your profession ?
Mrs. Goldman. I am a bookkeeper.
Mr. Tavenner. Hom- long have you been employed as such?
Mrs. Goldman. It has been several years, about 4 years or there-
abouts. Three or four years.
Mr. Tavenner. Mrs. Goldman, the committee has introduced in
evidence as Healey Exhibit No. 7, a report which she made to the
Communist Party Southern District of California convention held
on April 13, 1957. A part of that report deals with the youth move-
ment of the Communist Party. Are you familiar with that part of
her report?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline to answer on the gromids previously
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Shortly after the report made by her in April 1957,
did you take any part in the implementation of the program for the
Commmiist youth in this area ?
Mrs. Goldman. I still decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not a member and are you not now a
member of the Youth Conmiission of the Communist Party for the
Southern District of California ?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline on the same grounds.
Mr.' Tavenner. Is there not a youth group in existence now which
is known as the Shif ra Goldman Study Group ?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now engaged in the education of youth in
Commmiist principles in this area ?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline on the same grounds. I wish to state that
I am going to decline all answers to these questions on that same
ground.
Mr. Moulder. Do you take the position that you are not going to
answer any questions ?
Mrs. Goldman. No ; I did not say that. I mean this type of ques-
tion.
Mr, Moulder. Do you have any knowledge of any subversive or
disloyal acts on the part of any person whom you would consider to
be a danger to our form of Government ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Goldman. I still decline to answer on the same groimds.
Mr. Moulder. Do you have any knowledge whatsoever concerning
any action being taken by any organization involved with, and in co-
operation w^ith, the Communist conspiracy or the Soviet Union, Mre.
Goldman ?
Mrs. Goldman. I still decline to answer on the same grounds.
278 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Moulder. In other words, you are taking the position that you
will not answer any questions as an American citizen concerning any-
thing which might endanger our Government, our people of America,
is that correct ?
( The witness conferred with her counsel. )
Mrs. Goldman. As I stated, I am not going to answer any questions
which invade my rights under the first and fifth amendment. That
is what I meant when I said I would not answer such questions.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Do you mean you will invoke such rights but you
will decline to answer any questions which relate to a threat to the
Government and the Constitution which guarantees the very rights
youenj(w?
Mrs. Goldman. I invoke my rights and I think I have explained
why I invoked them and I am still invoking them, if that is in answer
to your question.
Mr. Tavenner. I referred to what the committee has ascertained to
be a youth group of the Communist Party which goes by the name of
the Shifra Goldman Group. Is it correct that the age spread of the
members of that youth group is 17 to 30 years ?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. What percentage of that group is ready for induc-
tion into regular membership in the Communist Party at this time?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it the practice in your group to have different
functionaries of the Communist Party appear before the group as
instructors ?
Mrs. Goldman. I decline on the same grounds.
Mr. Moulder. You are an American citizen, are you not ?
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Goldman. Yes, I am.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Have you ever served as a member of any branch of
the Armed Forces ?
Mrs. Goldman. No, I have not. I was not old enough.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Coimnunist Party ?
Mrs. Goldman. I still decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Moulder. You are excused.
The committee will recess until 9 :30 a.m., tomorrow.
(Wliereupon, at 3 :40 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 1959, the hearing
was recessed, to be reconvened at 9 :30 a.m., on the following day.)
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT OF THE
C03IMUNIST PARTY
Structure — Objectives — Leadership
WEDNESDAY, EEBRUARY 25, 1959
United States House of Representatives,
Subcommittee of the
Committee on Un-American Activities,
Los Angeles, Calif.
executive session ^
The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met,
pursuant to notice at 9 :30 a.m., in Room 229 Federal Building, Los
Angeles, Calif., Hon. Francis E. Walter, chairman, presiding.
Committee members present: Representatives Francis E. "Walter,
of Pennsylvania, Morgan M. Moulder, of Missouri, and August E.
Johansen, of Michigan.
Staff members present : Frank S: Tavenner, Jr., counsel ; and Wil-
liam A. Wheeler, investigator; Mrs. William A. Wlieeler, acting clerk.
Chairman Walter. The committee will come to order.
TESTIMONY OF MATILDA MOLINA TOLLY, ACCOMPANIED BY
COUNSEL, JOHN T. McTERNAN
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please?
Do you swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Tolly. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please ?
Mrs. Tolly. Matilda Tolly.
Mr. Tavenner. How do you spell your last name ?
Mrs. Tolly. T-o-l-l-y.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record ?
Mr. McTernan. I am John T. McTernan, 112 West 9th Street,
Los Angeles, 15.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you "Miss" or "Mrs." ?
Mrs. Tolly. "Mrs."
Mr. Tavenner. What was your maiden name ?
Mrs. Tolly. Molina.
^ Released by the committee and ordered to be printed.
279
280 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. Have you also been known by the married name of
Berry ?
Mrs. Tolly. That was my previous name.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you reside, Mrs. Tolly ?
Mrs. Tolly. 1822 Bellevue.
Mr. Tavenner. Where were you born ?
Mrs. Tolly. Arizona.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mrs. Tolly. I believe since 1926.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your edu-
cational training has been ?
Mrs. Tolly. I went a year to high school.
Mr. Taatsnner. What is your present occupation ?
Mrs. Tolly. I am a housewife.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your last occupation other than that of
a housewife ?
Mrs. Tolly. I don't remember. I have worked all over the city at
sometime or other, so I really couldn't tell you. I have done practi-
cally everything.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you at any time used the name Hilda Knox ?
( The witness conferred with her counsel. )
Mrs. Tolly. I invoke the fifth amendment. I refuse to answer that
question because it might tend to incriminate me and it is not pertinent.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that you joined the Communist
Party in 1083 here in Los Angeles and that you registered under the
name of Hilda Knox ?
(The witness conferred with her comisel.)
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photostatic copy of an affidavit of
registration sworn to on August 16, 1939, to vote, in which it shows
the affiliation of the affiant. Will you examine it, please, and state
whether or not this is an affidavit prepared by you ?
(A document was handed to the witness.)
(The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to offer the document in evidence and ask
that it be marked Tolly Exhibit No. 1.
Mr. Walter. It may be so marked.
(Docinnent marked "Tolly Exhibit No. 1" and retained in com-
mittee files.)
Mr. Tavenner. Will you examine the name appearing in the affi-
davit as the affiant, namely, Mrs. Matilda Berry, and state whether
or not that is your signature ?
(A document was handed to the witness.)
(The witness conferred with her coimsel.)
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, the affidavit shows that the affilia-
tion given by the affiant is that of the Communist Party.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 281
Weie you a member of the Communist Party on August 16, 1939?
( The witness conferred with her counsel.)
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I Iiand you a similar affidavit of registration, sworn
and subscribed to on July 16, 1942, and ask you to examine it and state
whether or not you identify the signature thereto as being your
signature.
(A document was handed to the witness.)
(The witness conferred with her coimsel.)
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to offer the document in evidence and ask
that it be marked Tolly Exhibit No. 2.
Mr. Walter. It will be so marked.
(Document marked "Tolly Exhibit No. 2" and retained in com-
mittee files.)
Mr. Tavenner, Were you a member of the Communist Party on
July 16, 1942 ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Belmont-Temple Club
of the Communist Party during the year 1947 ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not press director for that club as shown
by tlie February 28, 1947, issue of the People's World?
Mrs. Tolly. T refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. It is the committee's information that you were a
delegate to the California State convention of the Communist Party
held on January 19-20, 1957. Were you a delegate to that convention ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. It is the committee's information that you were also
a delegate to the Southern California District convention of the Com-
munist Party lield on April 13-14, 1957. Were you a delegate to that
convention ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what assign-
ments were given to you to carry out Communist Party obligations
and functions since April 13, 1957 ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee, from its investigation, has deter-
mined that special instructions were given from time to time to party
members to perform certain types of work within churches. Were you
assigned work of that character ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer that question, also, on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mrs. Tolly. I refuse to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 9 : 55 a.m., the witness was excused.)
282 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
TESTIMONY OF MARK ROBINSON, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
JOHN T. McTERNAN
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Robinson. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please ?
Mr. Robinson. Mark Robinson.
Mr Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record (
Mr. McTernan. John T. McTeman, 112 W. 9th Street, Los
Angeles, 15. in- -r. i •
Mr. Ta\^nner. When and where were you born, Mr. Robinson «
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Robinson. I was born in Alberta, Canada, in 1915.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you come to the United States ?
Mr. Robinson. In 1918.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a naturalized American citizen ?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Robinson. I have a certificate of naturalization. I also claim
citizenship because of the citizenship of my parents.
Mr. Ta\t3NNEr. In other words, derivative citizenship ?
Mr. Walter. No. He is naturalized and he claims derivative citi-
zenship.
Mr. McTernan. Xo, sir.
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Robinson. I was born in Canada of American citizens and claim
citizenship thereby.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your father's name ?
Mr. Robinson. James Roger Robinson.
Mr. TA^T.NNER. You state you also have a certificate of naturaliza-
tion. When and where were you naturalized? ^ ^
Mr. Robinson. I was naturalized in Pulaski County, Missouri, m
December, I believe, 1942, while a member of the Armed Forces.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Robinson. At 4441 Lynnfield Street, Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you resided in Los Angeles?
Mr. Rorinson. Since 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you live prior to that ?
Mr. Robinson. Immediately prior to my coming to Los Angeles, I
was a member of the Armed Forces practically all over the world.
Do you want me to go further? Do you want to know where I lived
before that ?
Mr. Tavenner. When did you enter the armed services?
Mr. Robinson. In 1942.
Mr. Tavenner. You were discharged when ?
Mr. Robinson. 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you hold an honorable discharge ?
Mr. Robinson. Yes, sir.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 283
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your edu-
■cational training has been ?
Mr. Robinson. I am a graduate of a public high school. I have
one semester in one subject m college.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Robinson. I am a furniture worker.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party at
the time of your naturalization in Missouri in 1942 ?
Mr. Robinson. I decline to answer this question on the grounds
of the first amendment to the Constitution which invades my right
to free speech and association and on tlie further grounds that such a
question is not pertinent to any matters into which this committee may
legislate.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Robinson, in September, the committee con-
ducted a hearing in Los Angeles and this is a continuance of that
hearing. At that time there was introduced in evidence as "Healey
Exhibit No. 24," a letter under date of March 26, 1958, addressed to
the National Committee of the Communist Party of the United States
which was a letter of resignation from the Communist Party of a
number of individuals.
Your name does not appear as one of the signatories to that letter.
However, from the investigation that the committee has made we
understand that this letter was submitted to you and that you have
seen it, and that you have endorsed it, and actually have withdrawn
from the Communist Party. If that is true, we want this record to
show it. Will you state whether or not you have withdrawn from
the Communist Party ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Robinson. I decline to answer this on the same grounds as
previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. This letter contains a statement, Mr. Robinson, on
behalf of those who signed it, that, "We do not believe that conditions
are yet ripe for the emergence of a definitive program and organiza-
tion. But we do feel that more limited steps can be taken which will
help prepare the soil for something new * * *."
What is that "something new" referred to in that letter by those who
resigned ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Robinson. I will decline to answer that question on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know who composed this letter?
Mr. Robinson. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you agree with its contents?
Mr. Robinson. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. As a worker in the furniture business, I assume that
you were a member of a union in that field, were you not, or are you
not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Robinson. I decline to answer this question on the same
grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Numerous meetings of the Communist Party have
been held at which Bernard Lusher, the head of the Labor Commis-
sion of the Communist Party, spoke and made plans for the work
284 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
of the Communist Party within the field of labor. Are you acquainted
with his plans ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. EoBiNSON. I decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mr. Robinson. I decline to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. JoHANSEN. When you entered the armed services, did you sign
an affidavit under oath or otherwise swear that you did not belong to
any organization which advocated the overthrow of the Government by
force and violence ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Robinson. I decline to answer this question on the same
grounds.
Mr. JoHANSEN. In what branch of the armed services did you serve ?
Mr. Robinson. The U.S. Army.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon at 10 :45 a.m., the witness was excused.)
TESTIMONY OF DELFINO VARELA, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
ESTHER SHANDLER
Mr. Walter. Will you stand and raise your right hand ?
Do you swear that the testimony which you are about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Varela. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
Mr. Varela, ]\Iy name if Delfino Varela.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please
identify herself for the record ?
Miss Shandler. Esther Shandler, 208 West 8th Street, Los Angeles,
14.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Varela ?
Mr. Varela. Pecos, N. Mex., November 14, 1926.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Varela. Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. How lon^ have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mr. Varela. For approximately 3i^ years ; September, of 1955.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your edu-
cational training has been ?
Mr. Varela. I hold a bachelor of ai^ts degree from the University
of New Mexico, in education and a master of social work degree from
the University of Michigan.
Mr. Tavenner. The University of Michigan ?
Mr. Varela. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Varela. Social worker.
Mr. Tavenner. In Los Angeles ?
Mr. Varela. In Los Angeles, yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been engaged in that occupar
tion?
Mr. Varela. In Los Angeles or in general ?
Mr. Tavenner. In Los Angeles.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 285
Mr. Varela. The same time as my residence, approximately three
and a half years.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that period of time, what was your em-
ployment ?
Mr. Varela. Prior to that period of time I was a social service
worker in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you a social worker in Detroit
Michigan, and between what dates ?
Mr. Varela. Between March of 1954 and around July of 1955.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that time, how were you employed?
Mr. Varela. I was also a social worker.
Mr. Tavenner. Where?
Mr. Varela. Pittsburgh.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give us the dates of your employment at
Pittsburgh?
Mr. Varela. Approximately between September of 1952 and March
of 1954.
Mr. Tavenner. While you were engaged in the work of a social
worker in Pittsbugh, were you a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Varela. My civic activity has been dedicated to helping dis-
abled people and the Mexican- American people, of which I am one,
to assume the full responsibilities of their citizenship and to partici-
pate more fully in their democracy. However, I find that this type
of questioning into people's associations and beliefs has been a detri-
ment to these objectives in the sense that it has created suspicions and
fears about any type of civic work.
Furthermore, answer's to questions on associations and beliefs, in
my opinion, violate the first amendment to the Constitution which
forbids Congress from legislating in this area and consequently, from
investigating in this area.
Therefore, I must also — questions asked at hearings of this type
can and often have been used against people in future proceedings
no matter how innocent these people may be, and, therefore, I must
respectfully decline to answer the question and avail myself of the
privileges afforded me by the first and fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you referring to that provision of the fifth
amendment relating to self-incrimination ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Varela. I refer to that part of the fifth amendment which pro-
vides that no person need be a witness against himself.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party while
you were engaged in social work in Detroit between 1954 and 1955 ?
Mr. Varela. Again, sir, I must respectfully decline to answer the
question on the same grounds as I have previously stated.
Mr. Walter. By whom were you employed while in Detroit?
Mr. Varela. I wonder if the committee at this time would inform
me as to the subject under inquiry here today and how this subject
relates to my place of employment.
Mr. Walter. This is merely a preliminary question.
Mr. Varela. I would like the —
Mr. Walter. You have already testified that you were engaged in
this type of work and I think we have a right to know whether or not
you were doing it for a private organization, a public organization,
286 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
or you were doing it as an act of charity yourself. You have opened
the door for this line of questioning.
Mr. Varela. I would like to request again that the committee ex-
plain to me the subject under inquiry and the relevancy of my place of
employment to the specific subject under inquiry here.
Mr. Walter. Are you going to answer the question ?
Mr. Varela. Since I fail to understand the relevancy or the perti-
nency of the question, I would like to request that it be withdrawn.
Mr. Walter. The committee is endeavoring to ascertain what the
objective of the Communist movement is at the moment, and in en-
deavoring to ascertain these facts, we would like to know just exactly
what you have been doing, because we have information that you are
and have been connected with this Communist movement.
Mr. Varela. Mr. Chairman, my employer in Detroit is engaged in
providing social service and bringing the name of an employer into
these types of hearings, I am afraid, might jeopardize the ability of
these employers to provide the social service.
Furthermore, the chairman of this committee made it quite clear
some time ago that he had no intention that these liearings should be
the cause of people losing their jobs. I am sure that you can api)re-
ciate the problems that a disabled person like myself would have in
gaining employment when dismissed under these circumstances and
combining that with the problems of any disabled persons
Mr. Walter, I appreciate that very fully and I feel very sympa-
thetic, and for that reason I cannot understand why you would not lean
over backward to avoid doing anything that would make your posi-
tion or any position less secure.
Mr. Varela. For that reason — that was one of my reasons for re-
questing that questions as to my employers' identity be withdrawn.
Mr. Walter. Mr. Tavenner can ask the question, and you can de-
cline to answer it if you see fit.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. We are merely asking you for whom you were
working while you were in Michigan.
Mr. Varela. I would rather not say.
Mr. Walter. Do you decline to answer that ?
Mr. Varela. Yes, sir.
Miss Shandler. That was not a direction, was it?
Mr. Walter. No.
Mr. Taa^enner. You mentioned the fact that you were interested
in Mexican affairs. Have you read the resolution presented at the
organizational meeting of the District Council of the Communist
Party for the Southern District of California which was held in
April of 1957?
Mr. Varela. Sir, I would like to decline to answer that question,
respectfully, on the grounds that I have previously stated.
Mr. Taa^nner. Is there an organization within the Communist
Party in the Southern District of California which centers upon ac-
tivities, Communist Party activities, with Mexicans ?
Mr. Varela. I respectfully decline to answer the question, sir, on
the grounds that I have previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you currently a member of the Boyle Heights
Club of the Communist Party ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA ' 287
Mr. Varela. Again, sir, I would like to respectfully decline to an-
swer your question on the grounds I have previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Is the Boyle Heights Club within the Zapata Sec-
tion of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Varela. I decline to answer that question, respectfully, sir, on
the grounds I have previously stated.
Mr, Walter. Where is that section ?
Mr. Wheeler. Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now acting under any assignment from
the Commmiist Party ?
Mr. Varela. I respectfully decline to answer the question on the
gi'ounds I previously stated.
Mr. JoHANSEN. Mr. Chairman, in that connection I would like the
record to show very clearly that the witness gave as one of his
grounds for declining to answer that to do so would involve testifying
against himself.
Mr. Walter. I think the record will show that.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what new plans
have been evolved by the Communist Party with respect to the Mexi-
can question ?
Mr. Varela. I respectfully decline to answer the question, sir, on the
grounds that I previously stated.
Mr. Walter. This is particularly important. There has been intro-
duced in Congre.ss several bills, one by Mr. Celler of New York, im-
posing a quota on Mexican immigration. Ever since I have been
chairman of the Immigration and Naturalization Subcommittee, we
have felt that there ought not to be any quotas in the Western Hemi-
sphere and there are not any, as you know, and anyone from the
Argentine all the way from Newfoundland, for that matter, can come
into the United States. It has proved satisfactory.
Now, if there is going to be an organization of Communists within
this Mexican-American group, it may well be that the same thing will
happen that has happened in other areas, and it would be indeed un-
fortunate for our diplomatic relations in this hemisphere. So I think
you ought to consider this very carefully.
You are employed and you can render a great service to the people
in whom you say you are interested and, if you are sincerely interested
in them, I think you will answer these questions.
Mr. Varela. Sir, it is because of the reasons that I stated previously
that I do feel that questions into people's associations and beliefs make
the work of helping people to be good citizens and participate fully
in the community because I do believe that this type of inquiry does
violate the first amendment to the Constitution and, also, questions,
no matter how you answer them, can and have been used in later
proceedings, and for that reason I must respectfully decline to answer
on the grounds that I previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mr. Varela. Again, sir, I must respectfully decline to answer the
question on the grounds I have previously stated.
Mr. Walter. For how long did you state you have been in Cali-
fornia ?
Mr. Varela. Approximately three and a half years.
288 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Walter. Did you come here for the purpose of engaging in
colonization work among Mexicans or Americans of Mexican
extraction ?
Mr. Varela. I must respectfully decline to answer that question on
the grounds I previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 11 : 40 a.m., the witness was excused.)
TESTIMONY OF BEN KARR, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL, ESTHER
SHANDLER
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you swear that the testimony which you are about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth, and nothmg but the truth, so help you
God?
Mr. Karr. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please, sir?
Mr. Karr. Ben Karr.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel identify herself for the record, please?
Miss Shandler. Esther Shandler, 208 West 8th Street, Los An-
geles 14.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Karr. May 1, 1916, New York City.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Karr. Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles ?
Mr. Karr. Since December of 1949.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your
educational training has been ?
Mr. Karr. I have a baccalaureate in education from the City Col-
lege of New York.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you receive that degree ?
Mr. Karr. In 1937.
Mr. Tavenner. What is yoiu" occupation ?
Mr. Karr. I am a presser.
Mr. Tavenner. Is that in the needle trade work?
Mr. Karr. That's right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Your degree is what ?
Mr. Karr. Bachelor of business administration.
Mr. Tavenner. You have not, then, followed the particular work
for which you prepared yourself?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Karr. I am not following it now ; no, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you followed it?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. IvARR. I intend to invoke my constitutional privileges in re-
gard to this question.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Karr. In that regard, I would like to say that it is my con-
sidered opinion that the work of this committee has had the objective
effect of creating in this country a climate of fear, one which makes
very difficult, if not impossible, that free exchange of ideas which are
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 289
SO necessary or which is so necessary to the growth of ourselves as in-
dividuals and as to the maintenance of our democratic institutions.
In addition, I feel this committee has used its power for an un-
warranted invasion of personal privacy and for prosecution by
exposure.
For that reason, I feel that aiding or abetting the work of tliis
committee would not be in the best interests of our country. For the
above and for the additional protection of myself, I decline to answer
that question on the constitutional grounds, specifically the first and
fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you referring to that provision of the fifth
amendment against self-incrimination ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. KAim. I refer to that provision that no person need bear witness
against himself.
Mr. Tavenner. You came to California in 1949. Have you been
engaged in the occupation of a presser during that entire period?
Mr. Karr. I went into pressing several months after I came here
and I have been in that occupation ever suice.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you work in that occupation prior to coming
to California?
Mr. Karr. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you disclose to your employer in 1949 the fact
that you had the degree from college that you told us you have?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. IL\RR. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Why did you select the position of a presser with
all the educational qualifications that you had?
Mr. E^ARR. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you advised in New York to get out into the
trades for any Communist Party purpose?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you represent the Needle Trades Section of the
Communist Pa.rty in the Communist Party organization in this area ?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner, The committee's information is that you are one
of the 62 members of the District Council of the Communist Party
for the Southern District of California. Are you a member of the
district council?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Walter. What comprises the southern district?
Mr. Tavenner. From the list that we have, there were 28 sections
south of a certain line drawn through the state.
Mr. Walter. Is this one of the sections that you are talking about ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir. Our testimony back in September showed
that there is a district council set-up composed of 62 members elected
from these various sections. I have just asked the witness whether
he is on the district council.
This district council also has an exexiutive board composed of ten
persons, according to the committee's information. Will you verify
that as being correct?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
290 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. The committee has considerable information re-
garding the monthly meetings that have been held by this district
council, but according to our information you have not been in at-
tendance at many of them.
Is that because you are working in the labor field and have been
instructed to stay away from these particular meetings ?
Mr, Karr. Same answer.
Mr. TAArENNER. Are you acquainted with Bernard Lusher, the head
of the Labor Commission of the Communist Party for the Southern.
District of California?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Tavexner. What are the present plans of tlie Communist Party
within the field of labor, or in this area?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not true that a new organizational set-up has
been resorted to, that of uniting in one group the representatives
from the field of labor from all of the different sections of the Com-
^nunist Party?
Mr. Karr. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your particular assignment at this time in
the Communist Party ?
Mr. Karr. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Karr. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Waliter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 11 : 47 a.m., the witness was excused.)
Mr. Walter. The committee will be in recess until 2 o'clock.
(Whereupon, at 11 : 50 a.m. WednevSday, February 25, the hearing
in the above-entitled matter was recessed, to be reconvened at 2 p.m.
of the same day.)
AFTERNOON SESSION— WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1&59
Mr. Walter. The committee will be in session.
TESTIMONY OF SOPHIE SIMINOSKI, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
WILLIAM B. MURRISH
Mr. Walter. Do you swear that the testimony which you are about
to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.,
so help you God ?
Mrs. SiMiNosKi. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please ?
Mrs. Siminoski. Sophie Siminoski.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record ?
Mr. MuRRiSH. William Murrish, member of the Los Angeles Bar.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you "Miss" or "Mrs." ?
Mrs. Siminoski. "Mrs."
Mr. Tavenner. Will you spell your maiden name ?
Mrs. Siminoski. S-m-o-r-i-d-o-n.
Mr. Tavenner. Where were you born ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 291
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. 1612 Cerro Gordo Street.
Mr. Tavenner. Is that G-o-r-d-o ?
Mrs. SiMiNosKi. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi, Approximately 17 years.
Mr. Tavenner. Tell the committee, please, what your educational
training has been.
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. High school.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation ?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. I am a housewife.
INIr. Tavenner. What is the last occupation you followed other than
•a housewife ?
iSIrs. SiMiNOSKi. A stenographer.
Mr. Tavenner. When were you last working as a stenographer ?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. About 2 years ago.
Mr. Tam5Nner. The committee has information that the new organ-
ization of the Communist Party for the Southern District of California
is comprised of at least 28 sections and that these sections are divided
into clubs. One of these sections, we are advised, has the name of
Eclw Park Section.
Have you been a functionary within the past 2 years in this section
of tlie Communist Party, the Echo Park Section ?
ivlrs. SiMiNOSKi. That question violates my rights and my duties
under the United States Constitution, both in its entirety as a guaranty
of free, democratic government, and in several of its vital amendments
and provisions as hereafter stated, and I will, therefore, decline to
answer that question and all like it upon each and all of the follow-
ing constitutional legal grounds :
1. I decline to answer, first, upon the ground of freedom of speech,
thought, and association under the first amendment, and because this
committee under that amendment has no authority, power, or jurisdic-
tion to inquire into my beliefs, speech or associations in this or any
particular.
2. I decline to answer, secondly, because this committee in its entire
proceedings here, and particularly respecting this stated question, is
without lawful jurisdiction, power or authority under the due process
claufe of the fifth amendment and under the provisions in whole of the
Constitution.
This is so because the authorizing statute and resolution under
which it operates is unconstitutionally vague and lacking in standards,
terms or provisions communicating to me or to any witness, or to a
court or hearing body, any meaningful or definable contents or cri-
teria, either as a matter of substantive or of procedural law.
Mr. Tavenner. Don't read quite so rapidly, please.
Mrs. SiMiNosKi. To the contrary, it is standardless and establishes
an instrument of arbitrary power only, and of censorship. Further,
neither said authorizing statute or resolution, nor any statement, act
or declaration of this committee establishes, evidences or communi-
cates any manner or respect in which the said stated question is or can
be pertinent in law and under the Constitution, and particularly under
292 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
the decision in Watkins v. U.S., to any lawful investigative object or
purpose of Congress, or of this committee, or at all.
3'. I decline to answer, thirdly, upon the ground that this committee
has no jurisdiction in this hearing and as to the stated question be-
cause the committee, its activities, its autliorizing resolution, and the
specific question concerned here, all violate the Constitutional separa-
tion of Congress' legislative power from the judicial power. This is
contrary to Articles I and III of the Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Slow down in reading, please.
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. There is also a viohition of the even more funda-
mental separation of Congress' legislative power from the sovereign
power of the people over all the branches of government as secured
by Articles I, II and III of the Coristitution, the Preamble, the guar-
anty of republican government secured in Article IV and the provi-
sions of the whole of the Bill of of Rights Amendments I to X.
4. Finally, inseparably from the first amendment I will decline to
answer the stated question under the rights given me by the fifth
amendment and the decision of the Supreme Court in Quinn v. U.S.,
upon the grounds that the published hearings, reports, releases and
newspaper declarations of this committee and its officers and its rep-
resentatives, including the circumstance that it has declared it possesses
eleven rooms and more of files of accusatory dossiers upon or affecting
more than a million individuals and more than 1,000 organizations,
and has denounced as "subversive", "un-American," and "treason-
able," all of such and all other individuals, causes, groups and ideas
affecting any and every humanitarian subject or purpose known to
me —
Mr. Tavenner. Slow down, please.
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. Afford me basis in law for refusing to be a wit-
ness against myself and for protecting myself in the Supreme Court's
words against "tyrannous prosecution," under said fifth amendment,
and under said amendment, I do therefore decline to answer.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Will you tell the committee, please, whether Eliza-
beth Spector is section organizer of the Echo Park Section of the Com-
munist Party ?
Mrs. SiMixosKi. Under all the grounds previously stated I decline
to answer.
^ ^ ^i 7^ Sfs ^ ^
Mr. Tavenner. What are the present Communist Party directives
being carried out by this section of the Communist Party, if you
know?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKT. On all the grounds previously mentioned, I de-
cline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you been a regular attendant at the meetings
of this section of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi. On all the grounds previously mentioned, I de-
cline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member at this time of the Echo Park
Section of the Communist Party of Los Angeles ?
Mrs. SiMiNOSKT, On all the grounds previously mentioned, I de-
cline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. What type of a campaign is being waged now with-
in that section to maintain its membership ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 293
Mrs. SiMiNOSKi, On all the grounds previously mentioned, I de-
cline to answer.
Mr. Tavennek. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 2 :35 ]D.m,, the witness was excused.)
TESTIMONY OF HAERY HUNT, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
DANIEL G. MARSHALL
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please.
Do you swear that the testimony vvhich you are about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you
God?
Mr. Hunt. I do.
Mr. Ta\t.nner. State your name, please.
Mr. Hunt. Harry Hunt.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please iden-
tify himself for the record.
Mr. Marshall. Daniel G. Marshall.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer this question upon the following
grounds: Primarily, upon my rights under the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, supplemented by the self-
incriminating clause of the fifth amendment and upon the further
ground that it lacks pertinency and is beyond the powers of this
committee.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question,
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer this question upon the following
grounds : Primarily, upon my rights under the first amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, supplemented by the self-incrimi-
nating clause of the fifth amendment and upon the further ground
that it lacks pertinency and is beyond the powers of this committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you honestly contend that to give this commit-
tee your address might subject you to criminal prosecution?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer this question upon the following
grounds: Primarily, upon my rights under the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, supplemented by the self-
incrimination clause of the fifth amendment and upon the further
ground that it lacks pertinency and is beyond the powers of this
committee.
Mr, Moulder. You are appearing here as a witness in response to a
subpena ?
Mr. Hunt. Yes, sir.
Mr. Moulder. After being directed by (he chairman of our com-
mittee to answer the question wliich was propounded to you by comi-
sel, do you realize that you might be making yourself subject to being
in contempt of Congress and subject to prosecution?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer this question upon the following
grounds: Primarily, upon my rights under the first amendment to
294 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
the Constitution of the United States, supplemented by the self-
incrimination clause of the fifth amendment and upon the further
ground that it lacks pertinency and is beyond the powers of the
committee.
Mr. Marshall. May I address the Chair ?
In the event that other questions are asked of this witness as to
which he desires to exercise his privilege, will it be stipulated that
whenever he states that he declines to answer, that it will be deemed
that his grounds are the grounds he has stated with respect to the
questions heretofore asked of him ?
Mr. Walter. Yes, that will be understood — that when the witness
declines to answer it will be on the grounds heretofore stated.
Mr. Tavenner. You stated you are here pursuant to a subpena
served upon you. Will you examine the paper that is being handed
to you and state whether or not that appears to be a copy of the sub-
pena served on you ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you examine the reverse side of it and see
whether or not there is a return by the sheriff's office, showing that
there was service on you ? The name appears at the bottom.
Mr. Marshall. The witness probably does not comprehend that.
The endorsement shows the service of this subpena on Harry Hunt
and it purports to bear the signature of a person whom I take to be a
deputy sheriff.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you see on the back of the subpena the state-
ment just read by your counsel ?
Mr. Hunt. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Does not the return show that service was made on
you at 824 West T4th Street, Los Angeles ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. That is your correct address, is it not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a subscriber to the Daily People's World ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I call to your attention that you are listed as a sub-
scriber and that your address is listed as 824 West 74th Street. Does
that change your answer ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your edu-
cational training has been ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. AYliat is your jjresent occupation ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a resident of Los Angeles?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Hunt, do you expect us to believe that you are
acting in good faith in refusing to answer those questions on the
ground of possible self-incrimination ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Ta\'enner. We have shown in evidence, Mr. Hunt, through an
earlier hearing that upon the reorganization of the Communist Party
COMMUNISM IN SOUTPIERN CALIFORNIA AREA 295
for the Southern District of California in 1957 that various meetings
have been held of the district council of that organization. One of
those meetings was held on July 27, 1958.
It is the committee's information that you were present at that
meeting and took part in the meeting. Did you take part in that
meeting?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Ta^tinner. Do you recall that at that meeting considerable dis-
trust was spread of the chairman of the Communist Party for the
Southern District of California, and that in fact. Max Steinberg of-
fered a resolution to remove her fi-oni office?
"Were you present when that motion was made ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not arise and address the gathering and
state in substance that the suggestion of removing Dorothy Healey
was no good, in other words, that you opposed the suggestion of her
removal ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not take the position that her removal would
not solve the problems with which the Communist Party in this area
was faced ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you are on Dorothy Healey 's side?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer^ sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not at that time state that the main problem
of the party was that the party had been isolated from the masses ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What plans were made by the Communist Party to
try to solve this problem of isolation from the masses ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. According to the committee's information, the
monthly meeting of the district council of the Communist Party for
the month of September was held on September 21, 1958, and you
were also present at this meeting and participated in it.
Did you participate as a speaker in that meeting?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. According to the committee's information you also
participated in the monthly meeting of the district council held on
November 23, 1958. Did you so participate ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee is informed of the activities at a
monthly meeting of that organization held as late as January 25, 1959.
Did you participate at that meeting?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer,
Mr. Tavenner. Was not that meeting of the district council greatly
divided in its views regarding a report made by Charlene Mitchell
regarding action taken on the Negro question at the national executive
committee meeting in New York ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
296 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not arise and state at this meeting that
the bringing up of this question at this time had caused a serious split
in the Commimist Party ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not express at this meeting that the rela-
tionship of the Communist Party to the Negro people had not been
good?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Had the relationship of the Communist Party to
the Negro people been good ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what plan the
Communist Party has in this area to solve this problem in this dispute
which has been raised within the party ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you present at the time that Charlene Mitchell
complained that the white members of the Communist Party were
discriminating against her by not paying contributions to her but on
the other hand, paying them to her cotreasurer, a white person?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. With all the talk that goes on by the Comnmnist
Party about its interest in the Negro people, as a matter of fact, there
is discrimination against the Negro people within the Commmiist
Party, is there not ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Walter. Did you not hear the charge coming from this colored
girl that there was discrimination against Negro people?
IVIr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. You are a member of the 62-member District Coun-
cil of the Conununist Party for the Southern District of California,
are you not ?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. You hold that position today, do you not?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Walter. Are there any questions ?
Mr. MouiJ)ER. Did you state your occupation?
Mr. Hunt. I decline to answer, sir.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 2:55 p.m., the witness was excused.)
TESTIMONY OF ARTHrR BROWN, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
MORTIMER VOGEL
Mr. Walter. Will you stand and raise your right hand, please.
Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Brown. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. "WTiat is your name, please?
Mr. Brown. Arthur Brown.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel identify himself for the record, please?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 29?
Mr. VoGEL. Mortimer Vogel of Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you what purports to be the subpena served
upon you and will you examine it and state whether or not it appears
to you to be a copy of the subpena requiring your presence here today ?
Mr. Brown. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. You will note it is made out in the name of Art
Brown. You are commonly known by that name of Art Brown, are
you not ?
Mr. Brown. Yes, sir.
^Ir. Tavenner. Where do you live, Mr. Brown ?
Mr. Brown. 9946 Woodale Avenue, Pacoima, California.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Brown. New York City, November 4, 1915.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in California ?
Mr. Brown. A little less than 2 years.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you live immediately before coming
to California?
Mr. Brown. New Jersey.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you live in New Jersey ?
Mr. Brown. Sir, I must decline to answer that question on the
basis of the first and fifth amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Walter. Do you honestly feel that if you told where you lived
in New Jersey you might be subject to criminal prosecution?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Jlr. Brown. I must refuse to answer that question.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. I must refuse to answer the question on the basis of
the first and fifth amendment and the pertinency of the committee to
this question.
Mr. Ta\t]nner. By stating that you rely on the fifth amendment
are you referring to that part of the fifth amendment relating to self-
incrimination ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brovv'N. I believe the counsel is fully aware of the importance
and meaning of the fifth amendment and I have based my refusal to
answer on tlie fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. There are various parts of the fifth amendment,
some of which mean one thing and some another, so if you refuse to
state which part you rely upon, I will again ask the chairman to
direct you to answer the question.
Mr. Walter. Yes ; you are directed to answer the question.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. I base my refusal to answer on the basis of the fifth
amendment and all the parts of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you honestly believe that to answer that question
might tend to incriminate you ?
Mr. Brown. The same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, how long you
lived in New Jersey ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
]\Ir. Brown. I lived all my life in New Jersey, sir, except for a short
period as a baby and up until the time I came to California.
298 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. Can you tell us if you served in the Armed Forces
of the United States ?
Mr. Brown. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Over what period of time ?
Mr. Brown. I was in the Armed Forces for just shy of five years.
Mr. Tavenner. From what date to what date ?
Mr. Brown. From June, I believe, the 11th — what year was it before
Pearl Harbor ?
Mr. Tavenner. 1940 was before Pearl Harbor.
Mr. Brown. Pearl Harbor was in December. I was drafted June
before Pearl Harbor and served until the end of the war and was
separated from service as a first lieutenant in February 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. In what branch of the service did you serve?
Mr. Brown. I was in the Adjutant General's division.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your
formal educational training has been ?
Mr. Brown. I graduated from high school in New Jersey, in Cran-
ford. New Jersey, and I attended Union Junior College for two
years. I attended three years at night and I had two years college
credit.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat is your present occupation ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. I must refuse to answer on the grounds previously
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your occupation while living in New
Jersey, say, from the time you got out of the Army up until the time
you came to California ?
Mr. Brown. The same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you have any regular employment at all for
which you received compensation while in New Jersey between the
time of your discharge from the Army and the time of your coming
here?
Mr. Brown. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you leave the State of New Jersey and come to
California for any reason related to activities of the Communist
Party?
Mr. Brown. The same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You were an organizer for the Communist Party at
Middlesex, New Jersey, between 1946 and 1947, were you not ?
Mr. Brown. The same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's information is that you were a
delegate to the national convention in New York City but that you
did not attend. Were you elected as a delegate ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you attend ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you in attendance at a New Jersey State
leadership meeting during the year 1954 ?
Mr. Brown. Sir, I must give the same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not transferred in 1956 from Union
County, N.J., to Essex County, N.J., for work in the Communist
Party?
Mr. Brown. The same answer, sir.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 299
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not active in the raising of funds for the
Communist Party in New Jersey as late as 1956 ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. TA^"ENNER. On your arrival in California, did you immediately
affiliate with a local group of the Communist Party ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. We are informed that there is a section of the Com-
munist Party known as the "Valley" group. Have you heard of it?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member of it now ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I do not want to leave the inference that I think you
are a member of it now, but I will ask you whether you were a mem-
ber of it prior to March 26, 1958.
Mr. Brown. I must give the same answer, sir.
Mr. Walter. Before the question is asked, do not tell him, counsel,
"same answer." Wait until the question is asked before you prompt
the witness.
Mr. VoGEL. It is fairly obvious what the question is going to be.
Mr. Walter. Let us be fair about it and let the question be asked
before you do the very improper thing of prompting a witness.
Go ahead, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. While in New Jersey, were you not a member of
the State Youth Commission of the Communist Party for that State?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not also a member of the State Veterans
Commission of the Communist Party in New Jersey ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mv. Tavenner. Did you not arise to the position of a member on the
State committee of the Communist Party in the State of New Jersey ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. In New Jersey, were you not veiy active in the work
of the Civil Rights Congress; in fact, you were its executive secretary ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Moulder. Are you responding to all of the questions pro-
pounded to you by counsel for the committee on advice of your own
counsel to refuse to answer all questions claiming the privileges under
the first and fifth amendments, or in good faith ?
I am asking the witness, not his counsel. I am asking you if all of
your responses to questions are being answered by you solely by what
counsel tells you to do, or are you in good faith claiming the privileges
under the Constitution ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. I am claiming the privilege of the first and fifth
amendment on my own. At the same time I am seeking the advice of
my counsel.
Mr. Walter. You have not asked counsel one single question. He
has, before the question has been completely asked, told you what to
Mr. VoGEL. Is it not obvious what is going to be asked ?
300 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Walter. Let us do this right. If there is anything left of
ethics, let us pay a little more attention to what ought to be.
Mr. VoGEL. It is obvious what the question is going to be and it
should be obvious what the answer might hi\
jMr. Walter. Go ahead, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. I referred a few moments ago to the date of March
26, 1958. Yv^'e introduced in evidence at an earlier hearing, a letter
under date of March 26, 1958 referred to as "Healey Exliibit No. 24,"
which purports to set forth reasons why those who signed it were
resigning from the Communist Party.
We find one of the signatories is "Art." Does the word "Art," refer
to you as Art Brown ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. Sir, the same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you sign this letter of resignation ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. You resigned from the Communist Party on March
26,1958?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Brown, I want to call your attention to one
rather significant thing in this letter.
Mr. Walter. Before you do that, Mr. Tavenner, is the witness a
member or is it evidenced that he was a member of the executive board ?
Mr. Tav-^enner. Not of the executive board but of the district comi-
cil. There were 62 persons on the district council and ten of them
were on the executive board of that council. It is not our information
that he was a member of the executive board, but it is that he was a
member of the district council and attended the meetings.
I will read from the letter of resignation :
We have no blueprint to offer for the future. We do not believe that conditions
are yet ripe for the emergence of a definitive program and organization. But we
do feel that more limited steps can be taken which will help prepare the soil for
something new * * *.
What new thing was it that this group desired to promote or to
advocate?
Mr. Brown. Sir, I must refuse to answer that question on the basis
of the first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you participate in the preparation of that
letter?
Mr. Brown. Same answer.
Mr. Moulder. Do you believe that the Communist Party in the
United States is part of the international scheme or conspiracy of the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union ?
]Mr. Brown. I must refuse to answer that on the basis of the first
and fifth amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know who prepared that letter ?
Mr. Brown. Same answer,
Mr. Tavenner. Do you have a middle initial ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr, Brown. No, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. You have no middle name or initial ?
Mr. Brown. No, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 301
Mr. JoHANSEN. At the time you entered the Armed Forces did you
take an oath or sign an affidavit under oath to the effect that you did
not belong- to anj^ organization advocating the overthrow of the Gov-
ernment by force and violence?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Brown. It is a good many years ago and I don't remember
what I signed.
IMr. Walter. The witness is excused. Call your next witness, Mr.
Tavenner.
( Wliereupon, at 3 :13 p.m., the witness was excused.)
TESTIMONY OF EOBERT KLONSKY, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
AL WIRIN
Mr. Walter. Will you stand up, please, and raise your right hand ?
Do you swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Klonsky. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please, sir ?
Mr. Klonsky. My name is Robert Klonslcy .
Mr. Tavenner. Will you spell your last name ?
Mr. Klonsky. K-1-o-n-s-k-y.
Mr. Tai'enner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please iden-
tify himself for the record ?
Mr. WiRiN. My name is Al Wirin. I am an attorney in Los An-
geles and a member of the State Bar of California.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you reside, Mr. Klonsky?
Mr. Klonsky. I will avail myself of the constitutional privileges
and refuse to answer to that under the privileges of the first and firth
amendments.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you appear liere pursuant to a subpena served
upon you by the United States marshal on February 11, 1959?
Mr. Klonsky. That is right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. The return on the marshal's subpena shows that
service was made on you at 2105 South Crescent Heights Boulevard,
Los Angeles, Calif., Apartment #^. Is that your address?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the fifth amendment on that, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you believe that an honest answer to that ques-
tion might tend to incriminate you ?
Mr. Klonsky. The question I do not believe to be a proper and
correct statement of the law and, therefore, I will still utilize the
fifth amendment in refusing to answer that.
Mr. Walter. I will direct you to answer the question as to your
residence. It is purely a preliminary question for the purpose of
identification and I direct you to answer the question.
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Klonsky. I will continue to refuse to answer that question on
the ground that the question is not pertinent.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Klonsky. The same, the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. How are you employed ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will refuse to answer that under the same condi-
tions.
302 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. Did you serve in the Armed Forces of the United
States ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Klonskt. I will refuse to answer that under the same condi-
tions.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you mean to state in good faith that an honest
answer to that question might tend to incrimmate you ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Klonsky. The answers to any such questions as you have just
asked may lead to prosecution in one form or another and, therefore,
I will refuse to answer that one under the same conditions.
Mr. Tavenner. You were one of the Smith Act defendants in the
Philadelphia case, were you not ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the same constitutional privilege.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you personally acquainted with Matthew
Cvetic?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the same constitutional provision.
Mr. Tavenner. When MattheAv Cvetic testified before this com-
mittee he identified a number of members of the Communist Party,
in what is generally referred to as Cvetic Exhibit No. 91. You were
identified as the secretary of the Eastern Pennsylvania area of the
Communist Party. Is that identification correct?
Mr. Klonsky. My answer is the same, the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. According to the testimony of Mr. Cvetic, Mr. Bart
Avas the chairman of the organization of which you were the secre-
tary. Is that correct ?
Mr. Klonsky. My answer remains the same.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Thomas F. Delaney testified before this com-
mittee in Philadelphia on October 13, 1952, that he had b^.en a former
member of the Communist Party, and he testified that you were a
functionary on the district level of the Eastern Pennsylvania District
of the Coixununist Party. Was that a truthful statement ?
Mr. IvLONSKY. The answer remains the same.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's investigation indicates that the
June 21, 191:9, issue of the Daily Worker reports you to have been at
tliat time the organizational secretary of the Communist Party of
Eastern Pennsylvania. Is that correct ?
Mr. Klonsky. The answer remains the same, sir.
Mr. Taa'enner. The Daily Worker issue of April 25, 1951 shows
as late as that date that you were secretary of the Communist Party
of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Is that correct ?
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Abraham Lincoln
Brigade?
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at one time the circulation manager of
the Daily Worker?
Mr. KiONSKY. Same answer, sir.
yir. Tavenner. Did you also serve as Communist Party organizer
in the Bronx in the late 30's?
]SIr. IvLONSKY. The answer is the same, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. As late as 1956, were you the editor of the Pennsyl-
vania edition of the Daily Worker ?
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 303
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer.
Mr. Ta\"enner. According to the committee's information you were
in the Armed Forces of the United States and served in Korea, is
that correct?
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I am referring to World War II and not the
Korean war.
Mr. Klonsky. The answer remains the same, regardless.
Mr. Tavenner. You were with the 7l3th Tank Battalion of the
24th Corps, were you not ?
]\fr. Klonsky. The answer is the same, sir.
]Mr. Moulder. Do you receive any financial compensation or as-
sistance from any foreign country ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the same privilege on that one.
Mr. Tavenner, You did receive a commendation from the Com-
munist Party of Korep. written to the Communist Party of the
United States complimenting you, did you not ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the same privilege, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. While you were in the armed services, did you ever
confer with Steve Nelson ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will take the same privilege, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. While you were in the Armed Forces, did you ever
furnish information to Steve Nelson regarding Army manuals or
other information regarding U.S. tanks and guns?
Mr. Klonsky. My answer remains the same, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. While you were serving in the Armed Forces of
the United States, did you know that Steve Nelson was an espionage
agent of the Soviet Union ?
Mr. Klonsky. My answer remains the same, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. This committee has from time to time received
considerable evidence relating to Alice Hyun, Peter Hyun, and
Diamond Kim.
Did you at any time ever confer, either in person or by any
form of communication, with any one of these three persons?
Mr. Klonsky. My answer remains the same.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you not meet each of those persons in Korea ?
Mr. KJLONSKY. My answer remains the same, sir.
Mr. Taa^enner. Did you attend Communist Party meetings with
any one of the three in Korea?
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer.
Mr. Taaiinner. The committee's investigation does not indicate that
you have at any time been a member of the District Council of the
Communist Party for the Southern District of California, but its
information is that you attended the meetings. Is that correct ?
Mr. Kjlonsky. Same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mr. Klonsky. I will give you the same answer now.
Mr. Tavenner. Our mformation is that you are not a member at
this moment. Is that correct ?
Mr. Klonsky. Same answer, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the date of your last organizational
effort with the Communist Party of this area ?
304 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Klonskt. Again, under the first amendment, I will refuse to
answer that.
Mr. Tavenner. May I ask for a direction on that ?
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer that.
Mr. Klonskt. I will utilize the fifth amendment in refusing to
answer that.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 3 :30 p.m., the hearing was recessed, to reconvene
on the same day.)
TESTIMONY OF PHILIP RAFALOW, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
LEO FENSTER
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Eafalow. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat is your name, please?
Mr. Rafalow. Philip Eafalow.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please iden-
tify himself for the record ?
Mr. Fenster. Leo Fenster, 113G3 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Rafalow ?
Mr. Rafalow. 1925, May 17, New York City.
INlr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Rafalow. 3670 Colonial Avenue, Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
Mr. Rafalow. Approximately 10 years.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your
formal educational training has been ?
Mr. Fenster. You are talking about high school and college, for
example ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.
Mr. Rafalow. Grade school and in part high school.
Mr. Ta\'enner. Have you had any educational training in other
recognized schools?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Rafalow. No.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you attended any training classes?
Mr. Rafalow. I refuse to answer on the basis of self-incrimination
under the provision of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Taa'enner. What is your occupation ?
Mr. Rafalow. Plumber.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been engaged in that occupa-
tion?
Mr. Rafalow. Approximately 16 years.
Mr. Tavenner. You are a plumbing contractor, are you not?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Rafalow. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you had any military service in the Armed
Forces of the United States ?
Mr. Rafalow. Yes.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 305
Mr. Tavenner. During what period of time?
Mr. Kafalow. During World War II.
Mr. Tavenner. It is the committee's information that you are not
now a member of the Communist Party. Is that correct ?
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer on the grounds of self-incrimina-
tion under the provisions of the fifth amendinent.
Mr. AValter. You have been told that we have information that
you are not a member of the Coimnunist Party. Do you honestly
feel if you answered that you might be confronted with prosecution ?
Mr. Fenster. You are asking the witness to adjudicate what mem-
bership is and when he ceased and I do not think it is fair to ask him
that. That is the venue of this committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Then your answer must be based on sonie uncer-
tainty as to whether you are still a member of the Communist Party
or not. Is that the reason that to give an honest answer to that ques-
tion might tend to incriminate you?
Mr. Rafalow. I refuse to answer on the gi'ound of the fifth amend-
ment dealing with self incrimination.
Mr. Tavenner. I notice by the subpena served on you that you
were served as Phil Kafalow. Is your middle initial "K", or do you
have a middle initial ?
Mr. Kafalow. I do not.
Mr. Tavenner. Healey Exhibit No. 24 has been mtroduced m evi-
dence, which consists of a letter bearing the date March 26, 1958, and
signed by a number of individuals expressing their desire to resign.
The fact of their resignation from the Communist Party as of that
date. „ , . , • , .1 ^
The name of Phil K. appears as one of the signatories to that
letter. Did you sign it? , , . <. .1 -j.^i j
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer on the basis of the ntth amend-
ment with respect to self incrimination ?
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, although going through the form
of a resignation, there is some form of attachment still remaining to
the Communist Party, is there not? -, ,
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer, based on the fifth amendment
and self incrimination. „ , o .i ^ ^^J:
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the bouthem Calitornia
District Council of the Communist Party before March 26, 1958?
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer on the basis of the fifth amend-
ment on self incrimination. . ,, ^ , -, ^
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not a representative on that board trom
the Western Division of the Communist Party, which is sometimes
referred to as the Santa Monica-Bay Cities? -,<,., -,
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer on the basis of the fifth amend-
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a delegate to the California State con-
vention on January 29 and 30, 1958 ? r ^, nj-^i J
Mr. Kafalow. I refuse to answer on the basis of the filth amend-
ment on self incrimination. • J.- 1
Mr. Tavenner. Were you not also a delegate to the organizational
meeting of the Southern District of the Communist Party for the
State of California?
306 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Rafalow. I decline to answer on the fifth amendment of self
incrimination.
Mr, Tavenner. Have you served in any capacity in the raising of
funds for tlie Smith Act defendants?
Mr. Rafalow. I decline to answer under the fifth amendment of
self incrimination.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you active in behalf of the Communist Party
in the Independent Progressive Party of California?
Mr. Rafalow. I decline to answer under the fifth amendment of
self incrimination.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Walter. The witness is excused.
TESTIMONY OP SOLOMON MONROY, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
WILLIAM M. SAMUELS
Mr. Walter. Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give before this
committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?
Mr. MoNROT. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir?
Mr. MoNROY. Solomon Monroy.
Mr. Tavenner. Spell your last name, please.
Mr. MoNROY. M-o-n-r-o-y.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel accompanying the witness please iden-
tify himself for the record ?
Mr. Samuels. William M. Samuels.
Mr. Tavenner. Wlien and where were you born ?
Mr. MoNROY. Los Angeles, December 31, 1925.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside?
Mr. MoNROY. Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation?
Mr. MoNROY. Salesman.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your educational backgi-ound ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. Grammar school, high school, and some City (college,
approximately a year.
Mr. Tavenner. City College of what city ?
Mr. MoNROY. Of Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Monroy, it is the committee's information that
you are a member of the District Council of the Communist Party for
the Southern District of California and that as such a member you
were in a convention of those members held on the 21st day of Septem-
ber 1958. I want to ask you several questions about things that occur-
red at that meeting.
At that meeting Dorothy Healey, the chairman for this district,
discussed at length the experience that she had had and the expe-
rience that other members of the Communist Party had had at the
hearings that were conducted by this committee in the earlier part of
September 1958.
In the course of her discussion, she made reference to the American
Civil Liberties Union. According to the committee's information she
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 307
referred to the great advantage or the great aid that was given to the
Communist Party by the American Civil Liberties Union taking out
an ad which was carried in many papers. Do you recall that?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROT. I refuse to answer this question because I feel that this
committee does not have the power to inquire.
Mr. Tavenner, May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer that question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, basing my refusal on
the first and fifth amendment of the United States Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall that Dorothy Healey made an ex-
planation to you and others present at that meeting as to why the
subpenaed witnesses were called before a meeting sponsored by the
Citizens Committee to Preserve American Freedoms instead of by a
meeting called by the Communist Party? Do you remember that?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. MoNROY. I again refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. Basing it on the first and supplementing it by the fifth
amendment of the United States Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Did Dorothy Healey announce in your presence
that there would be a meeting under the auspices of the Citizens Com-
mittee to Preserve American Freedoms at 118 North Larchmont, Octo-
ber 1, 1958, featuring two speakers, Horace Alexander and Frank
Wilkinson, to discuss the abolishment of the Committee on Un-Ameri-
can Activities?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. Sir, I would like to know what is the pertinency of
these questions that you are asking me in relationship to the nature of
this committee's investigation.
Mr. Tavenner. I would be very glad to tell you. The Citizens Com-
mittee to Preserve American Freedoms, after considerable advertising,
called a meeting at which the subpenaed witnesses were corraled and
speeches were made in their presence and they were asked to stand up.
I want to ask you if it is not a fact that that was done for the purpose
of encouraging and inducing those subpenaed witnesses to stand to-
gether and defy this committee ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. You have asked me two questions.
Mr. Tavenner. Answer the last one.
Mr. Monroy. I can't see how this is pertinent to the investigation
that the committee is conducting.
Mr, Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. Monroy. I refuse to answer this question as previously stated,
under the guarantees of the first amendment supplemented by the fifth
amendment of the United States Constitution.
Mr. Tavenner. Was an announcement made by Dorothy Healey
that such a meeting would be held under the auspices of the Citizens
Committee to Preserve American Freedoms ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. Sir, I cannot see where this is pertinent and I again
refuse to answer this question.
308 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr, MoNRoY. I refuse to answer this question basing, as formerly
stated, as I had previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Was Horace Alexander a member of the District
Council of the Communist Party for the Southern District of Califor-
nia at that time ?
Mr. MoNROT. I still cannot see where this is pertinent to the in-
vestigation, sir, and I again refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. W.vlter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I again refuse to answer this question basing it on the
previously stated first amendment supplemented by the fifth amend-
ment.
Mr. Tavenner. Was Frank Wilkinson known to you to be a member
of the Communist Party ?
Mr. MoNROY. I still cannot see where this is pertinent to the inves-
tigation, sir, and I again refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer this question.
Mr, MoNROT. I refuse to answer this question on the basis of the
first and fifth amendment, as I do not see where this is pertinent to
this investigation.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you at this meeting hear discussed a question
as to when the next convention of the Communist Party from this
area would be held ?
Mr. Monroy. I cannot see where this is pertinent to this investi-
gation and I again refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer that question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the previously
stated grounds.
Mr. Walter. Is this man a member of the council ?
Mr. Ta^'enner. Yes, sir ; according to the committee's information.
Did you at this meeting make a motion as a representative from
Zapata Section of the Communist Party that there be a guarantee
that the Mexican work would be on the convention agenda?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. Sir, I again refuse to answer the question.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. Again I refuse to answer this question based on my
previous statement.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Monroy, what Mexican work was it that the
Communist Party had planned to engage in?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner, May I have a direction ? .
Mr. Walter. On what grounds do you refuse to answer the question ?
(The witness consulted with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. Sir, I do not feel that this committee has the power
to inquire and also I feel it is not pertinent to the investigation that
the cDnunittee is conducting.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 309
Mr. MoNROY., Sir, I must then refuse to answer under the guaran-
tees of the first amendment supplemented by the fifth amendment of
the United States Constitution.
Mr. Walter. Do you honestly feel that if you answered a question
as to activities in connection with Mexican work you might be prose-
cuted criminally ?
( The witness conferred with his counsel. )
Mr. MoNROY. Sir, I again must refuse to answer this question
which was put to me on the same gromids as I have previously stated.
Mr. Walter. You are not under any compulsion. You say "I
must."
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. IMonroy, the committee has information that
you also attended as a delegate the nieetii)^ of the District Council
of the Communist Party of the Southern District of California held
on November 23, 1958. At that meeting did Dorothy Forest make
a report to you and the others present regarding the plans to abolish
the Un-American Activities Committee ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. On the grounds of the fifth amendment ?
Mr. MoNROY. The first supplemented by the fifth.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Forest aimounce in your presence
that the main way to express opposition to this committee was
through petitions which are now being circulated by the American
Civil Liberties Union ?
(The witness confeiTcd with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. Sir, I would like to know what is the pertinency of
the questions you are putting to me with respect to the investigation
the committee is conducting? Particularly the last question.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the grounds pre-
viously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Forest also state in your presence
that this was the first time in the history of the American Civil Lib-
erties Union that there has been a petition of this character circu-
lated by them ?
Mr. Monroy. I would again like to ask, sir, wliat is the pertinency
of this question you are putting to me to the investigation that the
committee is conducting.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer the question on the grounds pre-
viously stated, and also the lack of pertinency.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it not a fact that Dorothy Forest stated in your
presence and to those assembled that the Conmiunist Party has been
officially delegated to circulate this petition for signatures?
Mr. Walter. Officially delegated by whom ?
Mr. Tavenner. It does not say.
(The witness conferred with his comisel.)
Mr. Tavenner. Please answer the question.
Mr. Monroy. I cannot see the pertinency of this question to the
investigation that this committee is conductmg.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
310 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the first and sup-
plementing it by the fifth amendment of the United States Consti-
tution and also the lack of pertinency.
Mr. Tavenner. Was not Dorothy Forest the liaison between the
American Civil Liberties Union and the Communist Party on this
question ?
Please answer the question.
]SIr. MoNROY. I cannot see the pertinency of this question in rela-
tionship to the investigation that this committee is conducting and I
refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the grounds pre-
viously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Dorothy Forest state that the Communist
Party had been delegated to play a role in getting the signatures
on this petition and that the Communist Party had been assigned the
specific job of covering the Negro churches in the Los Angeles area
on November 30 and December 6 ?
Mr. MoNROY. I cannot see the pertinency of this question to the
investigation that this committee is conducting and I refuse to answer
this question.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question based on the pre-
viously stated — on what I have previously stated.
Mr. Ta\^nner. Did not Dorothy Forest further state that a letter
had gone out to the Negro ministers of these churches advising them
that a person would be there to get persons to sign these petitions?
Mr. Monroy. I cannot see the pertinency of this question that you
are putting to me, sir, the investigation of this conmiittee is conduct-
ing, and I refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question based on the previous
statement that I have made, that I refuse to answer on the first amend-
ment supplemented by the fifth and the lack of pertinency.
Mr. Tavenner. Was it not openly stated at the meeting that all
tlie petitions which are being circulated by the Communist Party
members should be turned into the Comminiist Party so that the
ACLU can see what a good job the Communist Party w^as doing on
these petitions?
Please answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question. I cannot see the
pertinency of it to the investigation that the committee is conducting.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question as previously stated
on the basis of the first and supplemented by the fifth amendment
and also the lack of pertinency.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee's information is that you were also
in attendance at the meeting of December 21, 1958, at which Charlene
Mitchell made her report regarding the Negro question. Do you
recall that discussion?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer that question.
COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA 311
Mr. MoNROT. On the same grounds as previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did not Charlene Mitchell state in your presence
and the other members of the district council, that the resolution
changing the Communist Party line with regard to the Negro
question was introduced at the national committee meeting by a new
comrade from the South who is field secretary for the Communist
Party in the South by the name of Comrade Charles ?
Please answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. On the ground of the fifth amendment ?
Mr. Walter. I direct you to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the grounds pre-
viously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall Charlene Mitchell, in opposing the
change of the Communist Party line, asking the question : "Does a
nation stop being a nation because of the Negro migration to the north
or because many of the Negroes have now gone from peasantry to
industrial jobs?"
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir. I cannot see
the pertinency of this question to the investigation that the committee
is conducting.
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. Sir, I refuse to answer this question on the grounds
previously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Did Cyril Briggs disagree with the action taken by
the national committee on the Negro question ?
Mr. Monroy. I refuse to answer this question, sir, as I cannot clearly
see the pertinency of this question to the investigation that this com-
mittee is conducting.
Mr. Walter. Now, you said you cannot clearly see. By that I
gather that you have an impression about the pertinency. Can you
tell us what you think the pertinency is ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. I have been advised by my counsel that it is my legal
right that the committee show me the pertinency of this question to
the investigation that they are conducting.
Mr. Walter. You said that you could not clearly see the perti-
nency and that is why I asked the question.
If I told you that we were deeply concerned over the attempts being
made by this group, of which you were a member, to influence low-
income groups toward being disloyal to the United States, would that
give you some idea of what we are driving at ?
Mr. MoNROY. I cannot see the pertinency at all, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction that he answer?
Mr. Walter. Ask another question. That does not matter.
Mr. Tavenner. Did Pettis Perry, Bill Taylor, Herschel Alexander,
and Shirley Taylor all oppose the change of the Communist Party
line and argue against it from the floor of the meeting?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction that he answer?
312 COMMUNISM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question on the grounds pre-
viously stated. .
Mr. Tavenner. Do you have a particular assignment m the Com-
munist Party with regard to work among Mexican people?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROT. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. May I have a direction ?
Mr. Walter. You are directed to answer the question.
Mr. MoNROT. I refuse to answer this question on the grounds pre-
viously stated. .
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. MoNROY. I refuse to answer this question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Walter. We have information that you are the one who has
been selected by this district council to prepare the program or
the membership drive among Mexicans and Negroes. Is our informa-
tion correct ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. MoNROY. Sir, I would like to ask you what information there
is and if I might see it.
Mr. Walter. We have sworn testimony to that effect, and we
have sworn testimony as to the meetings that were discussed. I am
asking you whether or not it is the fact. Have you been selected as
the representative from the district council to prepare the program
for the drive with the Mexicans and Negroes?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Monroy. Sir, I refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Walter. That is all. The witness is excused.
(Whereupon, at 4 :20 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, 1959, the com-
mittee recessed.)
INDEX
Individuals
A
Page
Abowitz, Murray 265, 266
Alexander, Charlene. (See Mitchell, Charlene.)
Alexander, Herschel (William) 311
Alexander, Horace V 64, 68-73 (testimony), 244, 265, 307, 308
AUen 170
Allen, James (S.) 45
Alvarez, Ida 70
Arkin, David Francis 5S-63 (testimony)
Aspiz, Jacob 266
Atinsky, Jerry (Julius) 214-218 (testimony)
Baefsky, Leo 230-232 (testimony)
Baron, Louis 43
Bart (Philip Abraham) 302
Baskin, Dorothy Rose. [See Forest, Dorothy Rose.)
Bass, Charlotta A 70
Benson, Elizabeth. {See Spector, Elizabeth Leach Glenn.)
Berman, Jack 265
Berry, Matilda. ( See Tolly, Matilda. )
Biber, Stella (Mrs. Henry J. Biber; nee Choyke) 99-102 (testimony)
Biskar, Ethel (Mrs. Herbert Morris Biskar; nee Hoffman) 241,
267-270 (testimony), 273
Biskar, Herbert (Morris) 84^90 (testimony), 93
Biskar, Marvin 90-93 (testimony)
Blair, Harriet (nee Lewis) 137-140 (testimony)
Blair, Helen (formerly Mrs. Helen B. Stewart) 263-267 (testimony)
Blair, Naomi Claire ("Nan") 196-201 (testimony)
Boags, Robert L 220, 222
Borough, Reuben W 70
Brahm, Mary Lois. {See Newman, Mary Lois.)
Bridges, Harry 39
Briggs, Cyril Valentine 75-82 (testimony), 311
Brodsky, Seymour (Douglas) 254-255 (testimony)
Browder (Earl) 28
Brown, Arthur "Art" 296-301 (testimony)
Burton, Bernard 118-136 (testimony)
Byler, Margarete Ann (Mrs. Albert E. Byler ; nee Haller)__ 218-219 (testimony)
C
Campbell, Bernie Christopher 91
Carlson, Frank (born Soloman Scolnic) !__! 42, 87, 269
Carlson, Lillian (Mrs. Frank Carlson; nee Lillian Dinkin^ 42
Celler, Emanuel 287
Chelnick, Sophie. (See Silver, Sophie.)
Choyke, Stella, (fifee Biber, Stella.)
Clark, Joseph 27
Clark, Tom C 1_„ ~I_II___I__ 62. 183
Connelly, Philip__ IP
Connelly, Mrs. Philip Marshal. (See Healey, Dorothy Bay?)
i
U INDEX
Page
Correa, Anna 50
Creed, Thomas D 36,63-67 (testimony), 244
Crowe, Cornelius Charles "Neil" 36, 244
Crystal, Frances 91
Cvetic, Matthew 302
D
Davis, Benjamin 35, 46, 52, 53
Davis, Dave 50
Dawson, Admiral George 242, 255-258 (testimony), 259, 273
Debs, Eugene 131
Delaney, Thomas F 302
Dennis, Eugene 35, 45, 49, 50, 53, 202, 250
Dobbs, Ada (Mrs. Ben Dobbs; nee Martin) 42
Dobbs, Ben 36, 49, 50, 52, 64, 245, 252
Duclos, Jacques 28, 32, 33, 134
Dulles, John Foster 27
E
Edney, Steve 98
Einstein, Albert 60
Ende, Alexander 82-84 (testimony)
Enfiajian, Edward M 242, 270-272 (testimony), 273
Esterman, William (B.) 265
F
Falk, Moe 91
Faubus (Orval) 81, 243
Fenster, Leo 254, 304
Forest, Dorothy Rose (Mrs. James Frederick Forest; nee Dorothy
Rose Baskin) 309. 310
Forest, James Frederick 36, 50, 64
Foster, William Z 22, 26-29, 31, 33, 35, 41, 45, 53, 65, 135
Frankel, J 263
O
Galpert, Ida 91, 92
Garrett, Jane. (See Swanhuyser, Jane.)
Gates, John 22, 26, 27, .30, 32, 35, 124-126
Gavron, Joseph I 42, 102-110 (testimony)
Gerson, Simon (W.) 50
Gilels (Emil) 177, 178
Goldman, Shifra (Mrs. Albert Goldman; nee Meyerowitz; also known
as Shifra Meyers) 241,273,274-278 (testimony)
Goldstein, Beatrice ("Bebe") 42
Goldstein, Morty 91
Goodman, EUie. (See Henrickson, Ellie.)
Gosman, Lorris 140-142 (testimony)
Gosman (Mollie) (Mrs. Lorris Gosman; nee Wilinsky) 141
Green ( Sidney) 161
Greenhill, Jack 200
Gntman, Ellie. (See Henrickson, Ellie.)
Haller, Marga rete Ann. ( See Byler, Margarete Ann. )
Hartle, Barbara 156, 157
Haskell, Rosemary. {See Lusher, Rosemary Haskell.)
Healey, Don 20
Healey, Dorothy Ray (Mrs. Philip Connelly; nee Dorothy Rosenblum ;
also known as Dorothy Ray) 17-53 (testimony),
63-65, 73, 81, 88, 92, 93, 95, 101, 102, 104, 106, 114, 118, 132, 133,
134, 139, 141, 147, 150, 161, 171, 188, 189, 194, 202, 205, 207, 215,
221, 225, 228, 230, 231, 235, 241, 245, 246, 249-251, 255, 257, 264,
271, 273, 277, 283, 295, 300, 305-307.
Hearst (William Randolph, Jr.) 170
INDEX lU
Page
Henrickson, EUie (Mrs. Stanley William Henrickson, nee Gutman, alias
Ellie Groodman) 152-159 (testimony)
Henrickson, Stanley William 156-158
Hillman, Sidney 122
Hinshaw (Carl) 24
Hoover, J. Edgar 45
Hunt, Harry (Simon) (born Harold Schlasberg) 247, 293-296 (testimony)
Hyun, Alice 303
Hyun, Peter 303
Ishihara, Sakae 114-118 (testimony)
Jackson, Elizabeth Ricardo (nee Smith) 42,220-222 (testimony)
Jackson, James E 35, 45, 253
Josephson, Jessie (Eileen) 203-205 (testimony)
Josephson, Julius 204
Kaplan, Celeste Strack (Mrs. Leonard Kaplan) 42
Kaplan, Leonard (Kappy) 42
Karr, Ben 288-290 (testimony)
Karson, Morris R. "Red" (born Moishe Karszon) 54
Katz, Eli 210-212 (testimony)
Kenny, Robert W 263
Khrushchev (Nikita) 124, 134
Kidwell, Jean 237
Kim, Diamond 303
Kishner, Sophie 43, 93-96 (testimony)
Klonsky, Robert 301-304 (testimony)
Knox, Hilda. ( See Tolly, Matilda Berry. )
Kogan (Leonid) 178
Kovner, Fay. ( See Mukes, Fay. )
Kovner, Julius 144-148 (testimony), 160, 161
Kuppersmith, Bertha. ( See Marshall, Bertha. )
Kurland, Estelle ( Shirley ) . ( See Parness, Estelle. )
Kurrier, Chester 91
Kushner, Sam 52
L
Lancaster, Dennis 205
Lawson, John Hovpard 265
Levine, Robert 98
Lewis, Harriet. (See Blair, Harriet.)
Lewis, Walter K 24, 47, 244
Lima, Mickey 50
London, Sidney (Sid) 43
Lusher, Bernard 36, 64, 65, 163, 206, 245, 248, 283, 290
Luslier, Rosemary Haskell (Mrs. Bernard Lufiher, nee Wylde) 162-
180 (testimony)
M
MacNair, Archibald, Jr 205-207 (testimony)
Majchrzyk, Eddie 91
Mandel, Seymour 214, 218
Manes, Hugh R 187, 192
Margolis, Ben 18, 49, 54, 63, 75, 82, 84, 90, 227, 230, 232, 233, 235
Markward. Mary Stalcup 91, 92, 123
Marshall, Bertha (nee Kuppersmith) 148-152 (testimony), 159
iv " INDEX
Jr'age
Marahall, Daniel G 55,68,93,148,152.159,293
Martin, Ada. (See Dobbs, Ada.)
Maymudes, August 242, 273-274 (testimony)
McGratli, J. Howard 86, 240
McTernan, John T 162, 180, 196, 201, 203, 209, 210, 267, 270, 273, 279, 282
Meany, George 39
Meyerowitz, Vivian. ( See Vallens, Vivian. )
Miller, Loren 54, 55, 99
Mitchell, Charlene (Mrs. William H. Mitchell, nee Alexander) 36,
49, 50, 64, 237-253 (testimony) , 273, 295, 296, 310, 311
Molina, Matilda. ( See Tolly, Matilda Berry. )
Monroy, Solomon (P.) 306-312 (testimony)
Moos, Elizabeth 185
Morel (William) 98
Mosley, Charles H., Jr. ("Chuck") 207-208 (testimony)
Mucha, Peter 180
Mucha, Reva. ( See Zwolinski, Reva. )
Mukes, Fay (Mrs. Richard Mukes, nee Kovner) 159-162 (testimony)
Munoz, Frank (E.) 75, 82, 205, 207
Murrish, William B .___ 290
N
Nagy (Imre) 40, 50, 53, 101, 134, 138, 250, 252
Nelson, Steve 33, 34, 50, 303
Newman, Horace Morton (Mort) 43,57
Newman, Mary Lois (Mrs. Horace Morton Newman, nee Brahm) 43,
55-58 (testimony)
O
Omltz, Samuel 265
Pacifico, Ola (Mrs. Laurence M. Pacifico; nee Roes) 222-224 (testimony)
Padilla, Felix 209-210 (testimony)
Pape, Edith (Mrs. Leon Pape; nee Weiner) 192-196 (testimony)
Pape, Leon 186, 187-192 (testimony)
Pamess, Estelle (Shirley) (Mrs. Jacob Parness; nee Kurland) 232-
233 (testimony)
Patterson, Haywood 80
Perry, Pettis 49, 50, 53, 73, 205, 221, 226, 250, 311
Phillips, Howard 91
Phillips, Robert 91
R
Rachlin, Carl 47, 244
Rafalow, Philip 43, 304-306 (testimony)
Ray, Dorothy. ( See Healey, Dorothy. )
Remington, William 185
Reno, Earl 122
Richmond, Al 50, 124
Robello, Helen 98
Roberts, Joe 50
Robinson, James Roger 282
Robinson, Mark 282-284 (testimony)
Roosevelt (Franklin D.) 173
Rosenberg, Ethel (Mrs. Julius Rosenberg) ^ 217,265
(Rosenberg. Julius 217, 265
Rosenberg, Rose S 222, 224
Rosenblum, Dorothy. ( See Healey, Dorothy Ray. )
Ross, Ola . (See Pacifico, Ola. )
S
Samuels. William M 306
Santo, Johnny 126, 127, 129, 130
Sarnoff, Irving 233-235 (testimony)
INDEX '
Page
Sazer, Henry 224-227 (testimony) ; 247
Schlasberg, Harold. (See Hunt, Harry.)
Schmorleitz, Robert J 27
Schwartz, Harry ~274~284 288
|uver,topm?(n;;-6L7l^^^^^
Siminoski, Sophie (Mrs. Abe Siminoski; nee Smoridon or Smorodin)—- ^JU-
293 (testimony)
Simmons, Herbert W. Jr """7 ^^ — :~" ^^' ^^'oa9
Smith, Eleanor (Mrs. Ernest Carl Smith; nee Ruth Kenegsberg)— _ ^4^
^ ' 258-260 (testimony), 273
Smith, Elizabeth. (See Jackson, Elizabeth Ricardo.)
Smoridin, or Smorodin. (See Siminoski, Sophie.)
Sobell, Morton ZZ7r::':Z'7r"4.~ ^ 3\
Sokolow, Esther Goldie ^^tMt testimony)
Solomon, Joseph 96-99 (testimony)
Sparks, Nemmy (born Nehemiah Ish-Kishor) db, b4, -i4t>
Spector, Elizabeth Leach Glenn (Mrs. Frank Spector; nee Benson) __ 42, 171, 292
Spector, Frank (born Frank Efrion Spector) . ^ oIq
Stalin 24, 249
Starobin (Joseph) ^o
Steinberg, Henry (Carl) ^
Steinberg, Max (born Max Steinberger) 43,250,251,295
Stone, Martha ^
Strack, Celeste. (See Kaplan, Celeste.)
Swanhuyser, Jane (nee Garrett) 142-144 (testimony)
T
Talbot, William (Wallace)— 235-236 (testimony) ; 247
Taylor, Shirley 311
Taylor, William (BiU) 36, 50, 72, 245, 311
Tenner, Jack . — ,: 140
Thompson, Bob 35, 49-52, 202, 250
Timofeyev, T — 29
Togliatti (Palmiro) 125
Tolly, Matilda Berry (Mrs. Joe Tolly; nee Molina; also known as Hilda
Knox) 27^281 (testimony)
Towbin, Cyril 185, 186
Truman (Harry S.) -. — 172
Vallens, Vivian (Mrs. Leon Vallens; nee Meyerowitz) 227-229 (testimony)
Varela, Delfino 284r-288 (testimony)
Vickers, Elmo 137
Vogel, Mortimer 142, 144, 296
W
Weiner, Edith. ( See Pape, Edith. )
Wheeldin, Donald C 35, 54, 55, 73, 171, 219, 244-246
Wheeler, William A 213-214 (testimony)
Wilkinson, Frank 246, 307, 308
Wilson, E. Raymond-- 191
Wirin, A. L. (Al) 54, 58, 96, 110, 114, 118, 301
Wright, William 98
Wylde, Rosemary. (See Lusher, Rosemary Haskell.)
Y
Young, Clarence George (alias Clay) 260-263 (testimony)
Z
ZwolinskI, Reva (Mrs. Eugene Zwolinski, nee Mucha)- 166, 180-186 (testimony)
vi INDEX
Oboanizations
Admiral Dawson Group 257
American Civil Liberties Union 307, 309, 310
American Youth for Democracy 104
Four Freedoms Club (UCLA) 231
American Jewish Labor Council 227
American Russian Institute of Southern California (Los
Angeles) 166, 168, 169, 177, 179, 181-186
Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America,
Local 230 66
B
Bethlehem Steel Corp 123
California Emergency Defense Committee 210
Camp Beacon 120
Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Brotherhood of, AFL : Local
1913 (Van Nuys, Calif.) 144
Citizens Committee To Preserve American Freedoms 246, 307
Civil Rights Congress (Southern California) 170
Echo Park Branch 161
Civil Rights Congress, New Jersey 299
Communist Party, Soviet Union 27,32
Twenty-first Party Congress, January 27-February 5, 1959, Moscow— 253
Communist Party, USA :
National Structure:
National Committee 21, 34, 41, 48-50, 52, 53, 120, 135, 225, 240, 253
Executive Committee 34, 35, 52
National Training School 120
Sixteenth National Convention, February 9-12, 1957, New York
City 22, 24, 26, 29, 45, 53, 105, 298
District Organization :
Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware (District 3) 302
Northern California District 35
Southern California District 17-312
Boyle Heights-City Terrace Section 42
Building Trades Section 43, 83
Convention, April 13-14, 1957, Los Angeles 37, 38, 64, 65
District Council 36, 43, 45, 49-53, 83, 101, 104, 186, 197, 202,
204, 211. 215, 223, 228, 234. 244, 263, 289. 296, 300, 305, 306, 308
Executive Board 36, 64, 72, 73. 244, 245
Echo Park Section 42, 291, 292
Labor Commission 64, 65, 248, 283, 290
Miscellaneous Industrial Section 42, 43, 206
Moranda Smith Section 42, 221
Needle Trades Section 289
San Gabriel Section 43, 57
Valley 21st Section 299
Valley 22d Section 42, 106
Youth Commission 241, 242, 244, 257, 268, 271, 274, 277
Zapata Section 42, 80, 157, 197, 308
Boyle Heights Club 286, 287
Highland Park Club 60
State Organization :
California :
Juarez Division, Review Commission 202
Los Angeles County 21
Belmont-Temple Club 281
Eastern Division 99
Haywood Section 67
Juarez Club 76, 78, 79
Mid Town Section 151
INDEX vll
Communist Party, USA — Continued
State Organization — Continued
Ca Tif ornia — Continued
Los Angeles County — Continued Page
62d Assembly District 100
22d Congressional District 109, 110
Van Nuys Club 143
West Adams Club I_I 43
Western Division ~~43~i43~254, 305
Wiggins Club 101
State Convention, January 19-20, 1957, Los Angeles 35
District of Columbia, Students Club 91
Maryland :
Baltimore 122, 123
Steel Club 123, 124
New Jersey:
State Committee 299
Veterans Commission 299
Youth Commission 299
New York State 27
Washington State, Everett Section 156
Communist Political Association, San Pedro Club 98
Community Service Organization (East Los Angeles) 204
D
Downtown Club 199, 200
E
Eastside Defense Committee 205
Emergency Free Press Committee 71, 72
F
Federation of American Scientists 189, 190, 191
Ford Foundation 130
Friends Committee on Legislation 191
G
George Washington University 91, 92
H
Howard University 91
I
Independent Progressive Party :
Central Committee 70, 97, 98, 139, 145, 199, 208
Downtown Club 199, 200
East Los Angeles Club 138
Students Organizing Committee (UCLA) 229
Institute of Pacific Relations 183
Labor Youth League (Los Angeles Coimty) , 8&-88
105, 211, 235, 240, 256, 257, 262
UCLA Chapter 233
Los Angeles Board of Education 58, 59
Los Angeles County Progressive Youth League 88
Los Angeles Housing Administration 161
H
Marxist Institute of Los Angeles County 210
yjH DSTDEX
N
Page
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) — 47,
71, 243, 244
National Council of the Arts, Sciences, and Professions, Southern Cali-
fornia Chapter, Executive Board 264
National Negro Labor Council, Los Angeles 67
National Urban League 47, 244
Nisei Progressives ^^^
P
Progressive Forum ^^^> 201
S
Servicemen's Defense Committee — - — — ^Z^'n rr o^o
Shifra Goldman Study Group T:;;.n7r"^- ' ' tIo
Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (VOKS)__ 183
Southern California Committee Against Re-Nazification of Germany 224
Southern California Committee To Repeal the Smith Act and Other Anti-
Labor Legislation 1J2
Students for Wallace ^9
T
Textile Workers Organizing Committee, CIO 121
Trade Union Action Conference for Peace (Los Angeles) 209,210
U
University of California at Los Angeles 228-231,233
y
VOKS. ( See Society for Cultural Relations with Fordgn Countries. )
W
Wells Defense Committee 205
Y
Young Citizens' League 91
Publications
American Socialist 131
California Eagle (newspaper) 76
Communist, The 80
Daily People's World 50, 72, 124, 127-129, 171, 221, 252
Daily Worker 27, 80, 119, 124, 126-129, 302
Defender, The 170, 175
Downtown Club News 200
Labor Defender 80
Los Angeles Times . 127-129
National Discussion Bulletin of the Communist Party 125, 133
National Guardian 131
New Reasoner 131
Pacific Coast Youth Recorder — ^— .> ' 262
Partinaya Zhizn 27
Party Forum, The 79
Progressive News 200
Roots of American Communism, The 130
Sovetskaya Rossiya -. 27
University and Left Review 131
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