Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

2364 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES school. * * * He contended that all of these people have public appeal and carry Influence. He stated that the lATSE has tried to the fullest extent to uphold the traditions of the A. F. of L. in the studios, l)ut they will not follow the party line and that is the reason for this trouble. I'ages 101-102 : President McFetridge of the building service employees union made a statement urging that action be taken by the council today if the A. F. of L. is going to remain the organization in soutliern California, and particularly in the motion-picture studies, and he stated that some authority should be given someone, whoever it may be, a couMuittee or individual, to investigate this situation. President McFetridge stated the trouble is of long str-iding and it is not only the set designers' controversy, but it goes back further than that. ******* Representative Beck of the teamsters made a statement in which he said there is truth in the statement that there is a concerted and positive trend to communism in the entire area of southern California. He stated that it is important for the future to settle this thing by some method of give and take. He stated that the CIO in the western part of the United States had made practically no progress whatsoever, and he si-oke in detail of the work the teamsters have done in this regard. Mr. Beck urged that the A. F. of L. send some man in whom we have confidence to Hollywood to make an investigation. President Brown of the electrical workers made a statement urging that an honest effort be made to settle this situation. Vice President Bates stated that he is convinced that what adjustment is made will have to be made by somebody in authority from these international unions to act in a supervisory capacity and to remove tlie Com'munist influence, which nobody can deny is there. Tliere was further discussion of the conditions existing in southern California by the representatives present. Page 128 : Tuesday afternoon, August 14, 104.5. Meeting called to order at 2 : 40 p. m.. President Green in the chair. Present : •Green, Hutcheson, Woll, Weber, Bugniazet, Bates, Mahon, Knight, Birthright, Meany. Absent : Harrison, Tobin, Flore, Brown, Doherty. Vice President Woll called attention to the fact that at the hearings held on the lATSE case, the Communist situation in Los Angeles was brought out and emphasized. He suggested that someone be appointed to look into the Communist situation in Los Angeles. President Green stated that he is rather of the opinion from the expressions of the council that we favor the appointment of a committee to make an investigation and report to the council. Vice President Birthright offered a motion that a committee be designated to investigate the matter and bring back a report to the council. Vice President Hutcheson asked if it would not be more ethical to notify each international who is involved out there of the statements that have been made and ask them for a statement as to whether the accusations are so or not. President Green stated it would be expected that the committee would consult with representatives of the natioiml and international unions and get all the information they could from them because they are close to the picture and would be able to give information that cannot be secured from any other source. Vice President Hutcheson stated that in the carpenters' organization any man who is a Communist and it can be proved, out he goes, and he cannot continue membership in the carpenters' union and be a Communist. After further discussion a vote was taken on Vice President Birthright's motion. The motion was carried. Vice President Hutcheson voted in the negative.