Evening star., 1939-06-06
W.P.A. Arts Project,
Hit as Devices 10
Aid Communism
Cannon RidicuIes View
Of Stage Manager and
Clashes With Woodrum
BY the Associated Press.


A former New York stage director
told congressional committee to-
day that w. P. A. arts projects were
a clever device ito sow the seeds
of Communism
Charles St. Bernard Dinsmore
Walton, who said he was a stage
manager on the Federal theater
project, made the statement to the
House committee investigating the
w. P. A. He said the Workers
alliance, a union of w. P. A. en-
ployes and the jobless, had DOM
mated the theater project until re-
Gently.
Representative Cannon, Democrat,
of Missouri characterized the testi-
mony as too absurd for words"
contending similar allegations had
been denied repeatedly by primi-
nent officials, including Mayor
Fiorello H. La Guardia of New
York.
Here's man with a CROUCH"
Representative Cannon said, REFER
ring to Mr.. Walton's statement that
after he had testified before the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities he had been Immediately
denoted" from director to stage
manager.
Clash Over Questioning.
Representative Cannon clashed
with Representative Woodrum,
Democrat. of Virginia, acting chair
man OF TIE w. P. A. Investigating
Committee, over the line of his
questioning.
Don't lecture the witness" Rep
resentative Woodrum admonished.
ASK him questions and let him an
swer them"
This is not kangaroo court"
Representative Cannon snapped.
Il need no help from the gentle
man in conducting this question:
ing"
Mr.. Walton told the committee,
IN response to questions, that most
theatrical people in New York be-
neved that every one in charge OF
the theater project in New York
from Mrs. Hollie Flanagan down"
should be removed from the Gov
eminent payroll.
The committee had received tes-
timony yesterday that the w. P. A.
in New York City had given work
to at least 5000 mechanics OF the
American Federation of Labor who
were not on relief rolls.
H. Ralph Burton, an attorney sent
to New York by the committee.
came before the investigating group
with two assistants and as many
filing cabinets crammed with afI1da-
wits and other documents.
Before he slammed shut the metal
filing cases and placed them under
lock and key for the night, he had
produced from them statements
that:
l. Joseph N. Parrott, now indus
trial relations director for the
American Oil Co.. had resigned as
assistant chief of P. w. A. labor
policy in New York recently on the
ground that discrimination In favor
of the A. F. OF L. made proper labor
relations impossible.
Actors Sunburned by Lights.
2. j. Beck was employed by the
w. P. A. in New York as supervisor
Of its correction unit, a social service.
On complaint that he was really
Jacob B. Bichovsky, Mr.. Burton said
he investigated and found Bichovsky
had been charged with conspiracy to
cheat and defraud a building and
loan agency and had served more
than two years in prison before
being pardoned.
3. Abe FEEDER, former employe of
the w. P. A. art projects technical
department and still a w. P. A.
electrician, had bought so much
electrical equipment for the pro-
duction Sing for Your Supper"
that it was said the heat generated
on the stage caused sunburn.
Mr.. Burton said Mr.. FEEDER could
have purchased lighting bridge
for $50. but, instead, rented one from
Century Lighting, Inc, for seven
weeks at 500 per week.
~ WIS cStlIIldICO, NIL. ouI UOIl Gull
tinued. that 81 miles Of wiring were
used for "Sing for Your Supper"
although one-half as much would
have been adequate.
Mr.. FEEDER ordered more equip
ment than the switchboard would
carry, the witness said.
Asked If Mr.. FEEDER was connected
Burton said some people thought
he was.