JFK Assassination System Date: - 5/13/201 Identification Form “Agency Information AGENCY: FBI RECORD NUMBER: _ 124-90143-10126 RECORD SERIES: HQ AGENCY FILE NUMBER: __100-370750-NR Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: LA TO: HQ TITLE: DATE: — 10/11/1941 ‘PAGES : 18 SUBJECTS : , HERBERT BIBERMAN JOHN HOWARD LAWSON DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: — Unclassified RESTRICTIONS: 4 CURRENT STATUS:  Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 10/09/1998 OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE COMMENTS: RPT ] C—O v9.1 4 . NW 45838 DociId:32338708 Page i
sprbi Goi THAN FEDERAL. “AU Oa | Form No. t THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT 1. 0§ ANGELES , CALIFOR IA REPORT MADE AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TITLE DATE WHEN MADE. 10/11/21 PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE 1o/ye11/442 CHANGE: HERBERT BIBERMAN; ___ SOHN HOWARDLAWISON SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: EDWARD CARTER, at BIB 's direction, axrived Los Angeles 10/8/); erence immediately held at BIBERMAN's home with objective high pressure - . on HARRY CHANDLER, owner of Los Angeles. Times,” to support Comittee for Medical Aid to. Russia. Reception held at CHANDLER'S home evening of 10/8/11 and luncheon nesting. attended by prominent: oitisens 10/9, doth sponsored: by CHANDLER at gelieitation’ -JANE MEADE, with: BIBERMAN collaborating, reported to BIBERMAN that objective. eppateatly achieved. BIBERMAN did not. attend oi ther: Te his diregtional activities and current: Allness noted. [Conflict. of Russian relief organisations will be settled by ‘BIBERMAN, request. BORIS LINGS rel (H) Continuing surveillance discloses Siibject in ose KC) with FRANK TUTLE, alleged important Communist Party member who resides near him; data-on TUTLE set out. Commnist Party designation of BIBERMAN and JOHN HOWARD LAWSON asin charge "Intellectuals and Motion Picture Comrades" cited. Confidential Informant describes LAWSON as leading U. S. Comaunist who has long advocated that "revolution should come here even with bloodshed if necessary". BIBERMAN's complete record of Communist front activities set out; Custodial Detention Memoranda on BIBERMAN and LAWSON submitted, W /60-2Z2YY9Q0. 7m 1 dy SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE DO NOT.WRITE IN THESE SPACES (00 -1370755-l\~ Pua OF THIS REPORT 2 - Los Angeles NW 45838 DocId:32338708 Page 2
i Lincoln Brigade members in Spain, he is now closely associated with them and is active in Communist Party work. The same Informant states ; that MARCUS lives at TUTTLE'S home and has stated that he could have i married TUTTLE'S daughter, aged 17. TUTTLE was associated with BIBERMAN [ in sponsoring the Motion Picture Democratic Committee and the Hollywood League for Democratic Action, former Commnist front. organizations; and — he is described by various Informants as a rabid Commmist. Dr. FRANK KNOWLIN, proprietor of a West Hollywood hospital has advised that he has personally attended parties at the TUTTL® residence, to which prominent Hollywood personages were invited. Russian entertainers performed at these parties and Russian motion pictures were shown. The parties usually lasted ali night, and as the guests left, they were usually presented for signature with a check drawn on,their own banks in sums ranging as high " as $1,000.00, "for the cause." The Informant stated that it was a matter ; of common knowledge that these checks were for the Conmunist Party, though he was not certain as to the identities of the payees of the checks. Various Informants have advised that TUTTLE was concerned with the making of a motion picture alleged to depict the horrors and sufferings of modern warfare, and which was financed by TUTTLE to the extent of $2,100.00. In connection with the making of the picture, which was described by the ; Informants as pacifist in nature and aimed at the American preparedness program, one of the associates of TUTTLE was overheard to say, "By the time we get this picture out, the Government will have us either in Leavenworth Penitentiary or in a concentration camp." | TUTTLE was described by JOHN L. LERCH, a former Communist Party organizer and member of the Communist Party State Bxecutive Committee in sworn testimony before a Grand Jury as an active organizer for the advancement of the Communist cause. ' As of interest to this investigation, attention is invited to a letter from the Denver Field Division to all Field Divisions and the | Bureau, dated August 11, 1941. <Accompanyiig said letter was a memorandum entitled, "Communist Party Set-Up.” This purported to be a list of revisions in the Communist Party set-up nationally, and it was obtained by Denver | Confidential Informant Dr. 57, from a source which that Informant described as the Communist Party letter received by JAMWS ALLANDER, “District Organizer of the Commnist Party, District #19; Denver, Colorado. The memorandum: = recited changes in perdonnel and office addresses in Communist Party Districts 1 to 23, and in conrieetion with District #13, California and Nevada, it contained the following statement: "JOHN HOWARD LAWSON with HERBERT BIBERMAN will bein control of the Intellectuals and Motion Picture * Comrades in the Hollywood area." It is recalled that the Bureau Letter of August’7, 19415 : NW 45838 DociId:32338708 Page 3 ~—_——+-
when it changed its name and became pro-British.) (61-76-53 German | "schoduled speaker at the Univorsity of Galifornia Peace Strike, sponsored by a Communist group. — ” SO a | "BIBERMAN was, as early as November 1, 1938, a member of the Hollywood Anti~Wazi League. y - - "goxPidential Informant LA#28 advised ‘that BIBERMAN is connected with the Southern California Union for Concerted Peace Efforts, together with a woman named ELIZABETH MoMAWUS, at 6305 Yucca Avenue, Los Angelese _ _ “The Western Work, a Communist. Party publication, issue of March 22, 1937, page 3, indicates that HERBERT BIBERMAN is a member of the Executive Board of the Motion Picture Artists Committee, which filmed : @ Red ‘picture. The Western Worker, igsue of Jue 13, 1937, indicates that BIBERMAN attended @ San Franciseo symposium on ‘Nagiism versua’ . Democracy’. ° . so oe . : ‘tthe People's World, the suceés sor to the Western Worker, in the May 25, 1938 issue, page 2, reported BIBERMAN a member of the Sponsoring Committee of the Hollywood Citizen News Strike. _.. "(he foregoing is taken from the file entitled, ‘HERBERT BIBERMAN, ET AL.3 Internal Security; 100-13.) - “Extracts. from the September 15 and 22, 1937, issues of "Hollywood Now’, the officiel publication of the Hollywood League for Democratic Action, reflect that HERBERT BIBERMAN is a member of the National Board of the American Union for Concerted Peace Efforts; and that he is active in the Union's various efforts. he Union, in seeking an effective peace policy for the United States, sponsored 4 mass meeting on September 15, 1939, to bring together active Congressional District - ‘workers from both major parties with a view to winning Congressional support for ‘genuine Américan neutrality during this war period. (It is interesting to note that BIBERMAN later resigned from the Union _ Activities in the United States.) . OTHER 4 ' "In May 19)0, Confidential Informant sr4{_]reported that HERBER? BIBERMAN was one of the sponsors of the Anti-Preparedness Meetings at the University of California at Los Angeles and the City College at Los ‘Angel es during the latter part of May 190. ‘Informant described BIBERMAN as a "Hollywood producer ‘and member of the. Committee ‘for Democratic Action; Communist Party, Hollywood Section; \ The Yanks are not Coming Committee; and the Keep Out of War Committee.* (61-375-1h, page 333 Communist Party, U.SiA., 15th District; Registration Aot; report of Special Agent KR. L. KING dated 9/1/10 at San Francisco.) : / : NW 45838 DociId:32338708 Page 4
NW 45838 7 rn . t y , aes _ “During the sumer of 1940, Confidential Informant sr{] #oported that while in the vicinity of Long Beach and Ocean Park, in an effort to ; get the reaction of the Commmists in that area to the activity of the FBI, he had spoken. to HERBERT .BIBERMAN, and in response to leading questior§ BIBERMAN stated, "You know, comrade, those fellows. of the FBI are not bad fellows; after all, they are following the instructions they get from that cocktail. drinker, J, EDGAR HOOVER; that’s the Fellow who stirs up all the trouble, not the second fiddlers, but we are going to get rid-of him right soon. You know we have a lot of friends in Washington and that's what. is going to happen to the great. detective.’ The informant also. stated that BIBERMAN, in explanation of the statement, ‘cocktail drinkert, said that he happened. to know that HOOVER, WALTER WINCHELL,; and a few — othera of the New York and Washington coaktail lounge patrons are making a big show of patriotism while in those places, and that ADAM LAPIN, the Communist writer in Washington, D. C., is having these big shots. shadowed and that before long, BIBERMAN emphasized, these poople are going to. be exposed with photographs and many other corroborating proofs. According to. informant, BIBERMAN also stated that LAPIN‘’s knowledge of what goes on in Washington will. be the basis. of a great book which will be in the hands of the American people at the proper time. (61-375=15, page 19; Communist Party, U.S.A., 13th Districts Registration Act; report of Special Agent Re L. KING dated 9/7/40 at. San Francisco.) : "A letter to the Bureau dated June 7, 1910, reflects that this office received two pamphlets from.an anonymous source entitled, ‘*Chamberlain-. Count ue Out’, and *Let's Skip the Next War', which pamphlets contain information that additional copies may be obtained from Hollywood Peace -Forum, 6423 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, the officers of which are listed as HERBERT BIBERMAN, Chairman, JOHN WEXLEY, Viee Chairman, and GUY ENDORE, Secretary, Treasurer. The Bureau, in a letter dated July 22, 190 furnished the information that a review of the Bureau's files reflected ” that HERBERT BIBERMAN is a former director of the Theater Guild in Los Angeles, was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Democratic Independence, which was addressed to the Prosident to end economic connections with Germany; that he. spoke at the rally of movie stars, the purpose of which was to send aid to Spain. The Daily Worker is given as the source of this information. BIBERMAN also represented the Hollywood Anti-lNazi League in _ & speech before the Congress of the American League for Peace and Democracy in 1939, at which timo he spoke against MARTIN DIES. (65-1902; Hollywood Peace Forum. ) oo. Min, . ae "Phe Seeialist Call.-of September 1h, 190, on page 7, reported thet HERBERT BIBERMAN, one of the members of the ‘Cultural Front of the American Peace Mobilization, is one of the old stand-bys in Communist front organizations, (100-0-5722.) a DociId:32338708 Page 5 1 | j i] ‘
‘ oa if ) "the file contains a five-page mimeographed article entitled, ‘He Who Kids Himself Shall Die’, based on a speech delivered to the Hollywood Peace Forum by HERBERT BIBERMAN., The content of the article and the theme are gathered from several prefacing paragraphs, o part of which is quoted as follows; ‘This is not written for imperialists. ‘ eees If you can calm down from your nervousness over Germany's invasion of America at-some future time <os> and give 8. little. attention to a very real invasion tak place right now upon your home, and not by orelgnors ‘by American imper sts « then perhaps you will, be it. ever so little, unkid yourself. ; "ROBERT V. REILLY, Chairman, Amoricanism Committeo, Veterans ‘ Serviee. League, submitted a report dated June 5, 19,0, which reflects. that on May 30, 1940, HERBERT BIBERMAN spoke at the Bay Cities Woman's Peace Council, Hagle Hall, 28233 Main Street, Ocean Park, California, on ~ the topic, "The Yanks Aren't Coming’. At this meeting, BIBERUAN admitted that he organized a movement against war and preparedness among the high schools, colleges and women's groups of the state; As usual, he sooused the prése of preparing to plunge this country into wars "The same report reflects that HERBERT BIBERWAN, Chairman of the Hollywood Peace Forum, organized ‘The Yanks Are Not Coming Club of Santa Monica, California’, which club met every Thursday night at 115 Arizona Avenue, Santa eed California. _ CieTHIS and 3533 Comunist Pile - - General.) "Confidential Informant LA-20 submitted, unter’ date of June 8, 1910, a report covering the Peace Assembly at the Los Angeles City Hall steps, followed by & meeting at the Olympic Auditorium on the evening of the same date. It was estimated that 10,000 to 16,000 persons gathered at the City Hall steps and the assamblagewas deseribed as a typical rabbl o-rousing Commmnist gathering. Everywhere in evidence were the usual slogans and banners and posters typical of the Communist Party group. Mayor FLETCHER BOWRON of Los Angeles, when he took the speaker's stand, - was roundly applauded, but when he launched into a tirade denouncing Commnism, Waziism and Fascism, he was greeted with rounds of *boos', HERBERT BIBERMAN introduced Mayor BOWROW to the gathering. "At the subsequent neeting at the Olympic. Auditorium, whore approximately 6,000 people gathered, a lengthy end carefully planned | - program for the organization of the Peace Cresade was launched. HERBERT . BIBERMAN was the principal speaker. and offered a proclamation to be . sent to the President. It was he who outlined the organization of the Peace Crusade and exhorted all to stimulate the’ movement so that the “ Peace crusade will be the first aid to American peace. One informant | DociId:32338708 Page 6
. NW 45838 ote a cee ae P ae "described BIBERMAN as one of the most menacing figures in local. revo- lutionary ranks today, by reason of the amooth manner, his unquestionable brilliance of mind, his quick thinking, his pleasant personality, and that quality which makes him equal to any exigency. BIBERMAN warned the crowd that the present war hysteria is endangering American civil liberties and that the talk.of the fifth column‘was an attack on labor; that the threat to deport HARRY BRIDGES and the organization of the Red Squad in Los Angeles were examples of the growing threat. Os wee? No . . "OSCAR FUSS, Los Angeles President of the Workers Alliance and a member of the Commmist Party, was also present. at the demonstration at the City Hall and the subsequent meeting at the Olympic Auditorium, FUSS wag prominent with the leaders, HERBERT BIBERMAN, GUY EWDORE, SAM ORNITZ, and JOHN STAPP. (61-529-l; confidential reports of Confidential Informant LeAs 206 62-193 7-), 5 .61-553-30; Workers Alliance of Calif.; | memorandum dated 11/9/1j0.) mo, "On June 9, 1940, Confidential Informant $P-1 reported that HERBERT ‘BIBERMAN is on the Los Angeles Peace Ballot Conmittec, and he - described him as the Communist chairman. of the Hollywood Peace Forum. : (61+375-15, pege 40; Communist Party, U.SeA., 13th Districts; Registration Act; report of Special Agent Rs L, King dated 9/7/40 at san Francisco.) . "Gonfidential Informant LA=20 sulmitted a report covering the Hollywood .fown Meeting sponsored “by the Hollywood Peace Forum at the . Embassy Auditorium, Los Angeles, on June 21, 1940. An amnouncement of the meeting appeared in the Peoplo's World of Jume 21, :19]0, page 5. Participants were: GUY ENDORE, Chairman, HERBERT BIBERMAN, SAM ORNITZ, - | and PROFESSOR HERBERT ALEXANDER, Speakers. BIBERMAN attacked President : Roosevelt's appointment of a National Defense Council of Industrialists . and Monopolists, ‘stating that they did not represent the people. BIBERMAN in his talk reviewed his work for the past two or three years in the peace movement. He claimed that he was a sort of organizer for the election of President Roosevelt and worked for him constantly, and that he had gone back East to help organize the American Union for Concentrated Peace Efforts in New York. A year ago as-a result, National Security and. . Peace Week was held throughout ‘the country under the auspices of the Union for Concentrated Peace Efforts. He claimed that he stood ‘by ROOSEVELT until he began to help the Allies. -BIBERMAN pointed out that in the meantime the American Union for Concentrated Peace Efforts had becume the Committee to | Aid the Allies and is backed by the League of Nations. He attacked the Committee to Aid the. Allies and urged all to support the one and only peace organization, the American Peace Crusade. BIBERMAN was, until his resignation, a member of the National Committee or Board of the American Union for Concentrated Peace Efforts. (100+1972-1; Communistio Front Aotivities, from Confidential Informant LA-19.) a : @ th « DociId:32338708 Page 7