‘ within. the, purvicy. of. the Hateh habe CL Qn Marek 12, 19b3, 4% vas rete by Harvey Gilbert Wolf, a Bk confidential: Boukco (seen 6 coverage on’. “efties of ‘Labor Roodareh ; Aeoovtatien, 80 East llth Street, How York City). advised that John’ Howard. ‘Lexyaon. was a sponsor.of the Schappes Lefenae .Comittes which was founded a an How York City in July, 1941, to raise funds for and help prosecute the defenss of Morris’ Us Schappes forner City College: ‘instructor who was ‘ " _sentonced to @ prison ter in the State Poni tertiary. for perjury arising out of & 19b1 inquixy into Communism in educational institutions. The exprosg purpose of the Committees as set forth in one of ite pamphlets tas: "to holp — - progecute tho legal dofense, to acquaint the. labor novenent, tho educational . world ‘and the general public with the issues. involved.in this case, to raise’ funds fer the, defense and to’ help. Schappes , Sappert, thoas dependent upon hiao® =29=3 pg: -. "Qn December 195 19h1,, according. to a highly confidential dourcet an  unknioom, porgon contacted Lawson's wife to tell her of:a very "pathetic tolegran” vecoived from Edvard. Barsky, -head-of the Joint Anti-Pagcist — + Rofugoe Contiittee, it being noted that Barsky was recently given a jail sentenea for refusing to produce the. records. of the.JAFRC. for the House Ghefimerican ‘Activities Commsttee,, henording. to the + sateen ae talo= ; " gham roed ao follows 2 - OPRYING: RO GEe DIFTY ane -pascrse: PEOPLE. on’ THe LAS? BOAT our ee toon ys ‘ OF LISBOR. “SEND MONEY. AT GREATESP? POSSIBLE” SACHIFICE." : : oy Je : pr Bes 1 100224499-76: pe: 1. Py te “On dJennary 165. 19435. a highly confidential sources \ Guechnsead.” - aux-vai latices on residence of Herbert Bibernan) reported ed that Biberman vas  gongulted concerning © letter iesued by Mr. Kemits, National Secretary -" Hatdonal Federation for Constitutional Liberties, advising thet thie Cocudlotee . _ was starting a campaign. against the Dies Committee. and wanted the Hollywood ' people to do sonething about: it. Although the informant twas mable to — . ascertain the nome of the man with whon Bbérman condulted on this date, 4% was determined by anothar highly confidential source” on Jamary 16, "19h3, that John Hovard Lawson had directed Elisabeth Leach to pick up this latter. Seon Bibemans It io noted that -Elizebeth: Leach wae the Organizer of the Wortinvost Seotion, Los Angeles County Ceymumiat Party at the timo. I% should bo noted that the * national Pedoration for Constitutional- Liberties ras deglared subversive by the Attorney. Ggnq on July Bly Iki, 4n that, it ¢ ofs16~ 100-2))199-23). DE 17 ‘confidential inforwan’ of the Loo Angeles Offics; that Horbart Biberminy, -. Gale Sondorganrd, Edvard Biberman and his wife Sonja Dahl, lirs. Eva “Bibermean, Anthony Ellie and liellen Ellie, his wife, would all attend the Joint Antt-Pasciet Refugee Chmitteo rally held at the Philhamonic Auditorium: ~~ Tt vas pointed cout that Sonja Biberman was. the forace Holipvood Chairman. ~ [erecnmtcan Survalaneo: on. the residence: of Jon Hexard ia acl 45838 DoeId:32338872 Page 44° ~
ee) to. bear in this regard. During the conversation, according to’ the - informant, it was pointed out that ‘the Los Angeles Section of the Free World Association had not as yet revoked Point’ #l of its Aims and Pur- . - . The name. of John Howard Lawson appeared ‘asa sponsor ona’ circular distriluted ty the American Youth for ‘Denotracy, 1567 ‘Broadway, . Detroit, Hichigan; dated December 20, 1945 _ (61-777 415-279) po ' . In November, 1945, according to 4 highly confidential source*, © | _ . +‘ Lawson conferred several times with ‘Mildred Raskin, Executive Secretary “.s. - Of the People's Educational Center, ‘described as the organization created. ‘and dominated by the Commmnists to spread Communist. philosophy, and these ' ‘Conversations mde it clear that Lawson was becoming concerned over the at, ; 33000 or $4,000 which -he ‘personally. had guaranteed for this organization ‘ I, - in the way of printing bills and incidental expenses. The same source . _. indicated that Lavson felt that the organization was not’ going-to be able | to. repay this moneyto him. During the same Period; the-same source was _- ‘present when ‘Larson conferred with Waldo Salt, Commnist sereen writer, - ' Pegarding ways. and means-of ‘aising $5,000 for the benefit of the People's . Educational Genter. Lawson also advised this informant that he was Planning to take a hand in the reorganization of the staff of the People's Educa= tional Center, commenting that, HQC) tao that the personnel was | «Organized in the most effective w (1007244.99-369..53). - .  Aecording.to a pamphle sued by the Los Angeles. Yorkers School, _dohn Howard Lawson, together with Albert Waltz and other invited lecturers, were to be the instructors at ‘the course entitled "Phe American Denocratic -— _ Pradition®, an eight<week course, tuition $3. The course was to be given . abt the Unitarian Church ,. 2936 West~8th Street, Los Angeles. Of all the | ‘-’ Courses taught at the Workers School, according to’this Pamphlet, this was the only one not bein; taught at the Workers School proper located at 212 West 3rd Street, los Angeles. This course, according to ‘the. booklet, -*will - . be-a lecture course ; dealing with decisive periods in the history of our . _ «Ration; the demeratic ‘condi tions: throughout the development: of our people, = »-*-. Beginning with the colonial period, the course will trace the growth, problems - and developments of the snerican tradition during the period of the Civil War _ and reconstruction; it will deal also’ with the a the First World War and the present ‘noted that this is not the same cou Dy for the.League of Anerican Writers entitled "Our. Democratic’ Heritage". -The log - - . Angeles Workers School, founded in 1939,’ according tothe pamphlet, bases its . _ Studies-on the various teachings "in social science...HMarxism...the theory and _ Practice of the working class and the people! _ to @ confidential informant, Harvey Gilbert. Wol: *» ._.this. school is the ‘educational plant for the Commnists in Los Ang r eT se (2.00=24499-234 [ tennntcan Surveillance ‘on the residence of John. Howard Lavoe. e vA Nw 45838 “DocId: 32338872 ~-Page 45 - .
(an ee dir ti tedinanmememean cael hie lian RE Mica an . he. ee vy i The above referred. to. senphlet, aed: stated that ‘Fecentiy;,'4 ina. ” gpesch or three hours. at’ the. genete E Educational: Genter?» : Sohn ‘Howard: ' Baveqn made: such. statements: ast. ane ies Ns “amerd can ‘policy ‘ds the ‘same: as. at was: cat Versaities; < te. destroy. detiocracy. wherever it eppears.® : . phe: ‘Marxist. ‘theorr 4 is the: ‘only sound basis tor Metory te . teaching. *. “cee . fe as “omne voice’ ‘of Byrties. te: ‘the. ‘voice. of one, “ot: ‘the: ost. ‘selfish eee POS Sa in. the" world: ‘today." “(100-24499-387) tents ; os ‘Phe Daily. People ts World’ ‘iene: of: ‘September 19, 1966," carries nag - an ‘artic la _that: the. ‘Les Angeles Chapter of. the- National’ ‘Negro. Congress : would: Lo ‘ ssenwene on September.’ 22, 1946; for a: mass. ‘meeting called.for the over ali - \ 4 «endorsement of the: Fair. ‘Buployment, Practices Act. According. to this ‘article, © “loc: John Tripp’ MeFernan’ had. been: selected: to lead a: panel. discussion on the topic > fPolice. Brutality". ‘A similar. article was Carried in the California Eagle, . *. Negro newspaper ‘published’ in Los. Angeles. by: one’ Charlotta Bass, “a prominent ™. '. Communist: Party line: ‘follower, - reflecting that: ‘this National ' ‘Negro. Congress: . co. co would: meet. .at 4016 ‘South Central Avenue on’ Sunday; ' September | 22; 1946, - Speakers: “Listed at this: meting’ included: John: Howard Lawson, motion . picture writer : ae . |: “Gglonel James’ Roosevelt';” ‘Phillip. M,: Connelly : William. Bidner’, Executive Secretary. ac ‘of: Hobi lization: for Deneragy, ‘ae Albert, ‘Dekicer:,. motion: picture actor. ey 2 Ere (97=29135 -29 p3). eee: “OTHER 4 es “In November,” 1946,. la former. confidential: informant arn ot the ions Angeles 0ffice. advised. that John Howard .Lawson:tas’ President ny en . othe Lincoln ‘Commni ty. Book Center: and’ that Waldo. Salt, ‘a known - Commnist;  o-.. “ ~ aeeording’ to a. highly. delicate: ‘and jreliable’'so UrCe, ” fe Vice: President. The “. informant also ascertained: that the. bank ‘account of the Lincoln: Community .- ~ ” Book Center. will: ‘substantiate Lawson?s presi dency and another: “highly -con~"" — mt . .. fidential © source has-described ‘this organization: “As. the adainistrative on a pinree ‘5 apparatus forthe L \coln : ‘Book’ SNE which: ae: P pberbed. ‘by. ‘thie Sonaiind st Party.’ ee a in ent) W nae git fees ys Be SRA wr OTHER 4a rere Informant cs an  etinhoyee 0 of, the: 5 Security, Hirst ational Berk. ‘ » 08: “Los. Angbles;. has. ‘advised ‘that Lawson -has’: contri buted’: ‘considerable sums of aoe “te ae money - to" the: feMewing. Sega eeetona, sometimes: in ‘the: Samant of over nant Holywood Piioteeies Cound stée, vay et 1 _ - Hollywood: Independent, Citizens Conti tee af fate, Sitienees 3 sine ‘Professions, . ‘People's. ‘Educatorial Center, . Wai ve  Brstican a Surveltance ¢ ‘on’ ‘the resitenge. 9 of. r Jol, Howara oe | mw 45036" pooka? 32338072" tise’ ag tee ae aS es Seed mee ye f°
8 © studio labor organization, the cdmradés had only’ - mixed ‘susceche The pantera! “union went over to the side of _ the revolution. The Screen Writers'. Guild joined the Popular =. '.Front; despite brave attempts:of the Authors! League of America - oo to wrest the Hollywood ‘section from the Stalinist grip... In the ne : cus fight against-the ‘fascists!~—meaning, anyone who.objected: woe ~ "to Communi st, domination—-Donald Ogden Stewart acted as general- AO issimo with such fine jicutenants as Dudley Nichols, Frances ~ Fe ec! '. Hackett, Humphrey Cobb, Dalton. Trumbo, Irvin Shau, Tess Slesinger, 6 2° |. ) | Sam Ornitz, Prank Scully, Oliver H. P. Garrett,’ Lillian Hellman, = 9°.) ’.°_. Boris Ingster; John Howard Lavsoni,: Lester’ Cole, Joel Sayre, and ; il... Discontinued Technical Surveillance on ‘the: Atierican: Youth: for ° __ Democracy -and Confidential Informant’ Richard V.. Servidio advised that: > -* | John Howard: Lawson’ was one of ‘the ‘Sponsors. of’ a “second: anniversary dinner’. - |: Given by. the American «Youth for Democracy; °a lmown Conminist.dominated ~ “cy, @FOups. on. December 12; 1945, at. the Hotel Roosevelt, NewYork City. The ~ | parpose of the dinner was "to welcone home ‘discharged:veterans, to pay. “ted bate’ ‘to the contributions of the young Men and-women of our armed forces and. to Gramati ze: the pogtcvar broblens of-y onthe Sena 34-182) “oo. Tn March, 1945; the National Federation for Constitutional Liberties * 205 East. 42nd Street, New York City, issued a public statement in support of the = -  aruy order making Commmnists-and Commnist Party. sympathizers eligible for’ = '.Aray Commissions. It vas stated that "the basic consideration is not the ~° . Propriety of the man's opinions, but his loyalty to-the United States". The ° ‘Statement of the Wational Federation for Constitutional Liberties was endorsed . ,by numerous people and the name of Jom Howard Lavson, playwright, Hollymood, — . Sppeared on this list. It is ‘noted that ‘the National’ Federation of Constita- '  tdonal Liberties Was declared subversive by the Attorney General in July, ~ |.) Acéording to the Jamary 30, 1946, issue of the Daily Worker, Lavson o, /"I want. very mich to demonstrate withprticular emphasis the role. . a - . 2 Of the Negro in American life. Since our history has-been written. oa y white historians and since no influential ones have been from... ve ‘the South, the contribution of the Negro people and their leaders oe oS OS. has been completely suppressed". .-- 7 ns ee op “ctor anit bhhs arti Gle, Lavson was described ‘as “one of America’s outstanding . historians, author of the authoritative theater ‘and. technique of playwriting, ©“. . 4nd. a successful. screen. uriter*.. oe we vat Sd triage fel Se) Qloomageop 7a pa) NW 45838" Docld: 32338872 Page. ‘47
‘Lou Harris, 4215 Troost Avemie, North Hollywood; California, a free lance ; ier same regard/pn February 14, 1947, another highly confidential sou ces _ the writers in the motion picture industry had a very difficult time pre~' | senting: "progressive ideas" in their stories inasmich quick to delete them... Harris commented that he was leaving on February 26, | Uhether he should, *wai _ Visa to’ enter: Poland)x9 _ appeared quite congenial 9 Ox February 7, 1947, according to a highly confidential sources weiter and producer as well-as a known Sommrist, contacted John Howard .-.... . P Lawson’ and‘told Lawson that he was Leaving for Englend at the-end of ’ month. The source. advised that Lawson and Harris are close friends. imi crophone} survGillance’on the Soviet Consulate Los Angéles) reported oS at Lou Harris called at the Russian Vice Consulate in Los 4ngeles and . 7 there met’ Eugene Pavlovich Tumantsev; Soviet Consul$Harris an mantsey, talked for approximately one hour during: which time Harris pointed.out that <- as the producers were for Kondon from New York City on a msiness tripand asked Tumantsey _. , and see what. happens” or apply immediately for a ° . cording to the. informant, arris.and{gunantees oe Ce quit =, gad the latter evinced considerable interest inthe - motion picture industry da (100=240334-6) eset Maes eaccueteganan
ue 7 “Seevey Gi1vert Wolf, & contidentisl’ duforzant of the kos. fneatas. os Offies,, stated that.at a leeture im Jane, 1942, before a school of the League “of Américan Writers, Levson: stated that on the day that Saeco and Vansoted were executed in Massachusetts, Augus$ 27,. ‘i927, he, Larson had becn arrosted& in Boston for picketing the State Capitol. With regard to this sclf-adat tted arrest of .ievsom, the informant stated that Ravson became a labor ogitater many years ago.ond wont to Birmingham, Alabama, to participate in a strike in the stéol mille im that eity in 1934, According to confidential informant . ffarvey Gilbert Velf, ‘Laveon yas arrosted on May 17, 1934, on a charge of eriminal libs] growing out of an article ‘which was written by Lavser in tho ° - Pally Vorker", Neu York City Commanist newspaper, defending a Corauni st organizer, Hareld Rolston. it.is observed that Lavson*s yet nusbor tor. 3021790 snd that- his record in this Fegari reflects that he tas arrested in . Birninghen on Mey 17, 1934, by the Birminghem Police Papartecnt ca she : eee of being a Commmist. He was released on She: ‘pane aay aa oy - (100=24499-356. pp 69° & 70) Officer Harless jof he Bircinghen Foliee Department rolatea she folloving information with regard to the arrest of Lawson in Birninghan, - ‘Slsbema, May 17, 1934, Harless said that he recalled that the police. ‘broke - up a Commnist meeting at, chich Reveon was. present end thet. Boysen was: thes” turned over to Officer J. f. Mocor and Officer P. €. Cole vhe vere cara Conmnni st notters at the time for the Binaingham Police Bepartaont. In Site i this connection Captain ©. L. Muliens of the Birmingham Pelice Bopartmen’ - stated that Lavson was ‘defended dy & lawer named Harold Ralston fron Hey York. He also rocalled that a wemen named Jane Spood, a vell-lmova Germmics.. erganigor, vas also present at the mocting at vaich Eavsoa vas arrested. ‘Pho. records of the Birmingham Pelice Department further revoaled the folloving: " infermation regarding Aiexander B.. Rascolin, reportedly eleo arrestod- ‘with Lauson: ‘his man io’an International Lebor Defense Attomey fron Bev: -¥oriz. City. He vas very active in 1934 end 1935 in: Birmingham and was arrésted; ww ‘the Birminghan Police on May 17, 1934.. thile in Birmingham, he contested — several lawyers in an effort to secures their services in reading parts of - the Interneticaal Labor Defense. This man is very high in the. Communist Partye His Birsiaghon police sunber ‘Se (f26589°,. (100-24499-177) os She 1 New York Pines morgue contained two articles regarding ‘the  perest’ ee ‘Levcon at Birmingham, Alabema, The first article dated Suly 6, : .1934,: reflected that. Lawson wae- ‘arrested on thet date and released: mider pong: of 9300. %6 sppear in Recorder's Court the following day. ‘tho arrest ‘Zollotes @ conféercnes between Mr. Lavson and five other New Yorkers and V.. 05: Downd, Commissiener of Public Safety at City Wali. ‘The article further ‘povoaled. a that.on May 17, 1934, Leveon was taken into custody by polico, fingorprintel, photographed end released. Phis article, referred to above, dated ley 16," }Ni 45838 1934, i0' also in the New York fimes files. : Fhe charges, in sennostion with B purlaeatiod that appeared in tho Daily Yorker in vhicha ‘misdonsanor Court cree ggg ‘Docla: 32338872, Pagé 49