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.
COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 1633 Mrs. James. I believe this is a legal question. Mr. Doyle. I am not trying to make it a legal question, beeansp. you have a very able lawyer by your side there. Mr. Wirin. I will be glad to answer any questions that are put to me—most any questions. Mr. Doyle. You heard your husband a few minutes ago state that he thought that, in substance—I believe he stated, because I made a note of it, that he felt that this committee should investigate subversive people and programs. You heard him so state, and I think he added that, however, some of the crop might be hurt when we were getting at the weeds. Mrs. James. Yes. Mr. Doyle. You heard that? Mrs. James. Yes, sir. Mr. Doyle. Now, what is your idea about whether or not the United States Congress should investigate subversive people and programs of subversive groups? Should we or shouldn't we? Mrs. James. I feel this is a question of my opinion, sir. I don't know. I am not a student of political affairs. I know that this committee is acting within its rights. However, I have my own con- science, and I am taking my stand within my rights under the fifth amendment and what I feel right as my conscience dictates to me. Mr. Doyle. Well, I would agree with you, Mrs. James, that you must follow the dictates of your conscience in connection with your patriotic obligation to your whole nation which gave you birth, I think, and perhaps your children birth. We are not urging you to waive your conscience in any way. I am sure you understand that, don't you ? Mrs. James. Yes, sir. Mr. Doyle. But when you say that you are sure this committee is acting within its rights, we are not only acting within our rights, we are acting under a directive from the United States Congress which is embodied in a Federal statute which says that our duty is to come and ask you what you know about subversive people and subversive groups, so it is the United States Congress that is asking you, through us. It is not this committee, only. It is the whole United States Congress. You understand, don't you ? Mrs. James. Yes, I understand. Mr. Doyle. Now, your husband—I want to repeat to you—a few minutes ago, therefore, said he felt that we should investigate sub- versives, and what is your idea ? Should we or should we not ? Mrs. James. Yes, I feel you should do your job. Mr. Doyle. You help us, please, investigate it. Do you know of any Communist fronts active in this area now ? Mrs. James. I must decline to answer your question on the previous grounds. Mr. Doyle. Were you ever a member of the Communist Party ? Mrs. James. I decline to answer on the previous grounds. Mr. Doyle. Have you any recommendation as to how this com- mittee can investigate subversive people and programs, as long as you have stated you thought we ought to ? How shall we get at it ? Mrs. James. Are you asking my opinion, Mr. Doyle ? Mr. Doyle. Yes; I am.