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COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 1447 mate American political aims advanced only in the arena of political action. I think the time for talk is past. Outlawing the party will smash it as an effective tool of the Soviet Union, which it is. If Americans generally do not know, the Communists do know that out- lawing the party will irreparably cripple it. It will be so preoccupied with its own internal security measures it will have little time for anything else, including subversive activity. All the past history of the Communist Party in its periods of illegality point to this conclu- sion, both in this country and in Europe, Recruiting of new mem- bers will be almost impossible. All members will die, and the party will wither on the vine. Its sources of money will dry up and the lunatic fringe will disappear. I think there is something fantastic, if not worse, in the fact that thousands of our men have died and are dying in Korea in a war against an international Communist enemy, yet we mealy-mouth about our own domestic branch of that enemy. Is it any wonder that many Americans, honest Americans, are con- fused? It lurs been argued that outlawing the party would drive it under- ground. I agree—6 feet underground, and without benefit of clergy, except, perhaps, a few who have betrayed their Christian teachings and are leading their trusting flocks out of the promised land. It has been suggested that outlawing the party will make martyrs of Communists. According to the logic of this argument—and I think it has been advanced before this committee—the logic of this group is that we should wipe off the statute, books laws denning murder as a crime. I believe some murderers have on occasion been cast in the role of martyrs. How stupid and illogical can we become in defend- ing, or failing to defend ourselves from the most dangerous enemy our Nation has ever faced—an enemy without aided by conspiratorial allies within ? If Americans do not understand the body blow that outlawing the Communist Party would be to this treasonable group, be assured that the Communists are in no doubt about it. Temporizing and vacilla- tion by the enemies of communism constitutes giving unwitting aid and comfort to the Communists. The recent history of the countries now 7 behind the iron curtain is a lesson from which we must profit, and fast, It is suggested that if the party is not outlawed it can be watched. Actually it is underground for all practical purposes right now. Why not legalize that fact? You cannot watch Communists, you can't control them; you must outlaw them. Let's be consistent, let's act as realists. Outlaw the party now. Tomorrow 7 may be too late for us, as it is already too late for the other once free peoples who hesitated in taking firm action and by their hesitation are now lost. Mr. Walter. Mr. Ashe, what was the maximum number of Com- munists in this area ? Mr. Ashe. During my period ? Mr. Walter. Yes. Mr. Ashe. I would say 1,500. Mr. Walter. That is in the Los Angeles area ? Mr. Ashe. That is in Los Angeles County. At that time about 2,600 to 3,000 in the State, Mr. Walter. That is all, Mr. Wood. Mr. Wood. Mr. Doyle of California.