We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
330 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Garfield, after you were served with a sub- pena to appear before this committee as a witness, the New York Times carried a statement attributed to you which is as follows: I have always hated communism. It is a tyranny which threatens our country and the peace of the world. Of course, then, I have never been a member of the Communist Party or a sympathizer with any of its doctrines. I will be pleased to cooperate with the committee. Were you correctly quoted in the news article which I have just read? Mr. Garfield. Absolutely. Mr. Tavenner. Is it a fact that you have always hated communism, as stated in that news release ? Mr. Garfield. Absolutely, yes. Mr. Tavenner. Are you of the opinion and belief that communism is a tyranny which threatens our country and the peace of the world? Mr. Garfield. I believe so. I think it is a subversive movement and is a tyranny and is a dictatorship and is against democracy. Mr. Tavenner. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? Mr. Garfield. I have never been a member of the Communist Party. Mr. Tavenner. If you are willing to cooperate with the committee, as stated in this news release, in its endeavor to ascertain the extent of Communist infiltration into the entertainment field, particularly into the motion-picture industry, it will be necessary to ask you ques- tions relating to your knowledge of Communist activities in that field, and especially about your own conduct in connection with organ- izations to which you have belonged and as to experiences which you have had. I understand you are willing to cooperate with the com- mittee ? Mr. Garfield. Mr. Tavenner, I will answer any question you put to me. Mr. Tavenner. Now, you have stated to us that you went to Holly- wood, I believe Mr. Garfield. In 1938. Mr. Tavenner. In 1938? Mr. Garfield. Yes, sir. Mr. Tavenner. Let me ask you a few questions about the period prior to that time. Mr. Garfield. Yes, sir. Mr. Tavenner. I have before me the December 10, 1936, edition or issue of the Daily Worker, which has a column in it entitled "A YCL Drama Against War," and a subheading entitled "League Plans Gigantic Pageant for Lenin Memorial." In the course of that article appears the statement that "Jules Garfield of the Group Theatre is lending a hand in the promotion of this program." The program, of course, was a Young Communist League program. Will you hand the article to Mr. Garfield ? (Said article was handed to Mr. Garfield.) Mr. Tavenner. Will you examine it and state whether or not you did participate in any way, lending your influence or your help to the organization of that program by the Young Communist League of New York ? Mr. Garfield. I have no knowledge of lending my name to this or- ganization, particularly an organization called the "Young Communist