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COMMUNISM IN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 383
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is , the truth, the Avhole truth, iuul nothing but the truth, so help you God? Mr. Bessie. I do.
TESTIMONY OF ALVAH BESSIE
The Chairman. Sit down, please.
Mr. Bessie. Mr. Chairman, I also have a statement I would like to read to this committee if you would like to examine it, or would you prefer to have me read it ^
The Chairman. We will be pleased to examine it. First, I think Mr. Stripling ought to identify the witness.
Mr. Stripling. Mr. Bessie, will you state your full name and present address for the record, please ?
Mr. Bessie. My name is Alvah Bessie and I live at 369 South Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Mr. Stripling. When and where were you born, Mr. Bessie ?
Mr. Bessie. I was born in New York City on June 4, 1904.
Mr. Stripling. Are you here before the committee in response to a subpena which was served upon you on September 18, calling for your appearance before the committee on October 23 ?
Mr. Bessie. I am.
Mr. Striplixg. Did you receive a telegram dated October 11, addressed to you, Mr. Alvah Bessie, 369 South Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif., which read as follows :
In response to the subpena served upon you summoning you to appear before the Committee on Un-American Activities, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D. C, on October 23, you are hereby directed to appear on October 27, instead of October 23. at the hour of 10:30 a. m., room 226, Old House Office Building, Washington, D. C.
Signed, "J. Parnell Thomas, chairman."
Mr. Bessie. I did.
Mr. Stripling. You are here in response to the subpena and the summons *^^
Mr. Bessie. I am.
Mr. Stripling. In the form of a telegram from the chairman?
Mr. Bessie. I would like to ask about my statement at this point. May I be permitted to read the statement ?
Mr. Stripling. Just a moment, Mr. Bessie; the committee is considering the statement.
Mr. Kenney. Do you have a copy of it ?
]\[r. Bessie. I have another copy of it.
The Chairman. Mr. Bessie, while there is some doubt that your statement is pertinent to the inquiry, as will be very evident when you read it
Mr. Bessie. I would still like to have permission to read it.
The Chairman. Just a minute. Nevertheless, the committee is willing that you read the statement. We are just wondering, in order to save time, if you couldn't read the first couple of paragraphs and then let us put it in the record at this point, just as we did with the record of Mr. Maltz.
Mr. Bessie. In accordance with your request, I will read the first two paragraphs and the last two,
"^ See apiieiulix, p. 541, for exhibits 73 and 74.