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COMMUNISM EST MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 377 Mr. Willner. Well, I had various jobs in New York—clerical, selling jobs, executive jobs. As I stated previously; I was an agent. Then I became a full partner. Mr. Tavenneb. What do you mean by "agent" ? Mr. Willner. I was a writers' agent m Hollywood. Mr. Wood. The acoustics in this room are not too good. Would you mind elevating your voice a little so we can hear you up here. Mr. Willner. I will try to. Mr. Tavenner. Will you state what your clerical, selling, and exec- utive positions were—I assume in New York—before you went to the west coast. Mr. Willner. Well, I had many jobs in New York. I sold au- tomobiles. I was superintendent of a furniture factory. I did clerical work for one or two insurance companies in the accounting depart- ment, among other jobs. I had many jobs. Mr. Tavenner. What were the other jobs? Mr. Willner. I worked for the American Sugar Refining Co. Have you any specific jobs you are referring to, Mr. Tavenner? Mr. Tavenner. Yes, I have. Were you business manager of a pub- lication known as New Masses in New York from 1936 to 1939? Mr. Willner. Mr. Tavenner, the magazine New Masses happens to be one of those—one of many magazines and publications and organizations which are listed as subversive in the guide which this committee has put out. Therefore, as an American citizen I claim my privilege under the fifth amendment and refuse to answer this question on the ground that an answer might tend to incriminate me. You are trying to link me with one of those organizations which you list as subversive. Mr. Kearney. Mr. Chairman, I object to the statement on the part of the witness and ask that it be stricken from the record. Mr. Wood. The statement that counsel for this committee is trying to link you with subversive organizations is not responsive to the question that was asked. (Representative Francis E. Walter entered hearing room.) Mr. Wood. Please make your answers responsive to the question. I understood you to say that you declined to answer the question that was asked you whether or not you acted in the capacity of busi- ness manager for a publication known as the New Masses, and that your declination to answer that question is based upon your claim that such an answer might tend to incriminate you, and that you claim the privilege of the fifth amendment of the Constitution. Is that correct? (Representative Donald L. Jackson entered hearing room.) Mr. Willner. That is partly correct. Mr. Wood. Will you finish it. Mr. Willner. I think the answer is only partly correct, because I must give my reasons why I claim that privilege. Mr. Wood. Because the New Masses, as you contend, has been cited Mr. Willner. Not as I contend. As this committee contends. Mr. Wood (continuing). Has been cited by the Attorney General of the United States as being a subversive organization, and that an answer to an inquiry as to whether you have been interested as busi-