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COMMUNISM IN HOLLYWOOD MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 3483 Mr. Odets. I did not, but I did meet him once or twice casually in restaurants. Mr. Tavenner. He was a witness before the committee in separate hearings of last year, but refused to testify. Did you know him to be a member of the Communist Party ? Mr. Odets. No, I did not. Mr. Tavenner. The New Theater magazine, of which you say he was the editor, was the official publication of the New Theater League, was it not? Mr. Odets. I don't know about that. I am willing to say it is, if you have notes about it. I didn't know that. Mr. Tavenner. Well, I show you the issue of February 1935. Win you examine it, please, and state what appears from pages 13 to 20? What is it, please? Mr. Odets. What is the question ? Mr. Tavenner. What do you find on pages 13 to 20 ? Mr. Odets. It does say that it is an organ of what you said, the organ of the New Theater League, National Film and Photo Workers League, and this edition prints Waiting for Lefty in its entirety. Mr. Tavenner. From pages 13 to 20. This play was based on a taxicab strike in New York City in February 1934, was it not? Mr. Odets. That is what they say. But it is just something I kind of made up. Mr. Tavenner. Wasn't it based on that strike? Mr. Odets. I didn't know anything about a taxicab strike. I had a few boyhood friends who were cab drivers. I knew their lingo, I knew their talk. I have never been near a strike in my life. Mr. Tavenner. There was a taxicab strike in February 1934 which you were familiar with, wasn't there? Mr. Odets. No ; I learned later there was such a strike. Mr. Tavenner. Were the pictures appearing in that article on pages 14,17,18, and 20 from the first production of the play ? Mr. Odets. Yes, sir; they were. Mr. Tavenner. Did John Garfield appear in the play ? Mr. Odets. Yes, sir; he did. Mr. Tavenner. Were you acquainted with John Garfield at that time ? Mr. Odets. Oh, yes. Mr. Tavenner. Did you ever know John Garfield to be a member of the Communist Party ? Mr. Odets. No, sir; I never knew. Mr. Tavenner. I believe you received an award from the New Thea- ter League for the production of Waiting for Lefty; did you not? Mr. Odets. After having been produced, written and produced, I think I told you the last time they came to me and said, "We have had a one-act play contest and no good material has shown up. Do you mind if we give you the prize?" I said "No; I don't mind." Mr. Tavenner. According to your statement 3-011 were told that yours was the only play submitted? Mr. Odets. Something like that. Nothing showed of any merit or value, and would I take the prize. Mr. Tavenner. In the February 2, 1939. issue of the Daily Worker, it is stated, "In 1935 the New Theater League first attracted wide