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

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COMMUNISM IN HOLLYWOOD MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 2401 before the dates given on this photostat, which reflects thai Mr. Kraft was a member of the execul ive board. Mr. Walter. Proceed, Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Tavenner. The committee is also in possession of a letterhead bearing the date of October 1939 on which your name appears on the margin of the letterhead as a sponsor of the Hollywood Anti-Xazi League. Were you a sponsor of that organization? Mr. Kraft. I decline to answer on the previously stated grounds. Mr. Kearney. Mr. Chairman, may I ask Mr. Tavenner the date of the formation of the Anti-Xazi League ? Mr. Tavenner. My recollection is that it was in 1936. Mr. Walter. Yes. Mr. Tavenner. Or 1937. about that date. Mr. Walter. When was it captured, do you remember that ? Mr. Tavenner. The testimony in our hearings was to the effect that V. J. Jerome played a part in it when he went to Hollywood, but i s to the date, my recollection is the date was between 1936 and 1933, probably 1938/ Mr. Jackson. Do you want the citation, Mr. Chairman \ Mr. Walter. Yes. Mr. Jackson. Hollywood Ant i-Xazi League incorporated on June 8, L936, as the Hollywood League Against Nazism. It became the Holly- wood Anti-Nazi'League in September 1936. The Stalin-Hitler pact brought this front to abrupt termination in August of 1939. The Hollywood Motion Picture Democratic Committee was its successor. That is a citation of the California State Committee on Un-American Activities. Mr. Kearney. In other words, Mr. Chairman, the witness is sug- gested as being a member of this Anti-Nazi League pripr to the Hitler- Stalin pact, and long before this country entered the war. Now, for my own personal information, I would like to know why does the gentleman refuse to answer whether he was a member of that organization? Mr. Kraft. I decline because the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League has been cited as a subversive organization. Mr. Tavenner. The Artists' Front to Win the War was organized October 16, 1942. You are listed as one of the sponsors under the heading of "Literature." Do you. recall your membership in that organization ? Mr. Kraft. Could I see that ? Mr. Tavenner. Yes. (Document handed to Mr. Kraft, and Mr. Kraft and his counsel consult the document.) Mr. Kraft. I don't recall my membership in this group. Mr. Tavenner. Have you any explanation to give for the use of your name as a sponsor of the organization ? Mr. Kraft. I have no explanation, sir. Mr. Tavenner. Did you participate in any manner in the work of the Artists' Front to Win the War? Mr. Kraft. I have no knowledge of any activity in connection with the Artists' Front to Win the War. I cannot remember it specifically. Mr. Tavenner. The committee is also in possession of information that the New Masses of May 3, 1938, at page 19, contained the names