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1538 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Mr. Jackson. Do you feel that the average member of the Com- munist Party is permitted to have any knowledge of that phase of party activity? Mr. Townsend. I think not. Mr. Jackson. I believe you said you were financial director or agent of the branch to which you were assigned? Mr. Townsend. Yes. Mr. Jackson. For how long a period did you serve in that capacity ? Mr. Townsend. I would guess about 6 months. Mr. Jackson. How many individuals were you responsible for in the matter of the collection of moneys? Mr. Townsend. Oh, probably 12. Mr. Jackson. How often did you make your collections? Mr. Townsend. Quarterly. Mr. Jackson. Quarterly? Mr. Townsend. Quarterly. Mr. Jackson. Would you care to give the committee an estimate of the amount of money that passed through your hands during the period of time you were financial director ? Mr. Townsend. Well, I mentioned this morning in answer to one of Mr. Tavenner's questions that during the time I was financial di- rector most of the high-salaried screen writers at that time were not employed so that there was never very much money passed through my hands. I would say never more than $200 a quarter. It may be $250. It is roughly around that figure. Mr. Jackson. How many of the men you have named as being Com- munists to your personal knowledge are still members in good stand- ing and in regular attendance at the Screen Writers* Guild ( Mr. Townsend. Members of the Screen Writers' Guild? Mr. Jackson. Members of the Screen Writers' Guild. Mr. Townsend. Well, I suppose all of them are. Any screen writer is a member of the Screen Writers' Guild unless he does not pay dues, unless for a certain period of time he has no screen credits, and I think then he becomes an associate member. Mr. Jackson. Have you attended the meetings of the Screen Writers' Guild recently? Mr. Townsend. I am sure I must have, yes. Mr. Jackson. Were any of the individuals you have mentioned as being members of the Communist Party present at the last meeting you attended? Mr. Townsend. Again I can't be sure. I would imagine so. I don't remember what the date was of the last meeting I attended. I probably did not attend the last couple of meetings because I live quite a ways away from town and my wife was having a difficult time with childbirth. So for the last two meetings I think I didn't attend. Mr. Jackson. Again out of your personal experience and your knowledge of the situation here in Los Angeles, would you say what organization is today carrying the brunt of the burden so far as Communist and Communist-front activities are concerned? Mr. Townsend. I would say it is the Arts, Sciences, and Profes- sions Council. Mr. Jackson. Is that the Hollywood Council of Arts, Sciences, and Professions? Mr. Townsend. Yes.