Communist infiltration of Hollywood motion-picture industry : hearing before the Committee on Un-American activities, House of Representatives, Eighty-second Congress, first session (1951)

1630 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Christ in this world, who came here for the purpose of making possible forgiveness upon repentance. I know of no better forum that could be provided for you today to let all of the acquaintances that you have, in the world so far as that is concerned, know if it is true that you have completely broken from all your ties with this subversive organ- ization, if indeed you have had such ties, which you have given every inference that you have had. I regret very much that you haven't seen fit to take advantage of that opportunity. With reference to any other persons whose names have been used that has been referred to as having been injured by the action of this committee, if they don't come here themselves and take advantage of this same forum to deny, affirm, or explain, then the results of the use of their names here are squarely upon their shoulders and not upon the shoulders of this committee, because this committee didn't re- quire them to enter any organization that they may have entered. They went into it without any sort of action, conduct, or encourage- ment from this committee. So I just couldn't let go unchallenged that accusation that you made, because it isn't supported by any fact on this earth. Do you desire to offer any fact as evidence of the efficacy of the state- ment you made that people were going to be punished as a result of the activities of this committee? Do you want to offer any justifi- cation for such an accusation ? If so I will be glad to hear you. Mr. James. Sir, this committee has been set up to investigate com- munism. However, this committee should not feel that only those people who are willing to totally cooperate with the committee are good Americans, and that is the implication of the chairman's speech. There are many people who have never been connected with commu- nism at all who have for one reason or another opposed this committee. The New Yorker magazine, not a political magazine, sir, has looked with some fear on what this committee might be doing to the cause of writing in this country. Mr. Wood. In that connection I take issue with you again, and deny that the statement you made is supported by any fact. I hope the time will never come when I, or any other Member of Congress, objects to constructive criticism of any act that I perform. I welcome it. I have never sought it, nor has any member of this committee, and certainly not as a committee action, ever sought to penalize or to even criticize any person who constructively criticizes our action, because we welcome it. We know we are not perfect and we are trying in our humble way to do the job that the American people, through its representatives in Congress, have evolved upon our shoulders. Is there any further question, Mr. Counsel? Mr. Tavenner. No, there are not, Mr. Chairman. . Mr. Wood. The witness may be excused from further attendance. Have you any other witnesses? Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir. Mr. Wood. I believe we will take a recess for about 15 minutes at this time. (A short recess was taken.) Mr. Wood. Please let's have order in the hearing room. Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Counsel ? Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.