Evening star., 1941-09-26

cause the question had been raised
earlier in the hearings.
After Mr.. Stahlman had testified
Mr.. Dietz issued statement,
reiterating that he did not write
to the Banner and contending that
"M.-G.-M. never withdrew advertis-
ing" He said M-G-M. stands
shoulder to shoulder with Mr.
Stahlman in fighting for the
freedom of the press"
Zanuck Testifies.
Shortly before the noon recess the
committee heard another film execu-
tive-Darryl F. Zanuck of the goth
Century Fox Film Corp-defend the
pictures that have been made on
present-day world events.
He denied that Hollywood has
been asked to make propaganda pic
lures designed to arouse war spirit
In the United States
We have been asked by the Gov
ernment," he said. Ito make train
ing pictures for the United States
Army. We have made these pictures
at cost and without profit as a mat
ter Of patriotic duty"
Mr. Zanuck testified that he en-
listed in the Army at the age of Is
in the last war and served overseas
as a private. No man who was in
that conflict. he said, can look upon
war with anything but the deepest
adherence. I wish our country
would never have to fight another
war. I want this country to go to
war only if that is an absolute ne
cessity either to defend ourselves now
or to prevent a future attack"
The movie investigation is zone
of the first attempts In America" to
suggest what the people should read
or see, Wendell L. Willkie charged
TO-DAY.
Willkie Cites BEST Sellers"
The 1910 Republican nominee for
President, now counsel for the film
industry, turned to the record of
best seller books OF the past two
years to show the motion picture
companies are responding to popular
public opinion in producing anti
NAH films.
Mr.. Willkie said that 40 books out
OF the many dealing with interna-
tional affairs during the two-year
period reached the best-seller list,
and of these "36 might be termed
anti-NaZi or pro- British books"
Unless the day comes in this
country, as in Germany, when the
public is denied the force of its
own opinion and is compelled to
witness praise for all that is con-
trary to its fundamental concepts
of freedom and justice" said Mr.
Willkie. the other side of Nazi-ism
will never be accepted literature and
will never be produced for exhibition
by American motion picture COM
panies."
Willkie and Clark Clash.
A tense moment in the inquiry
came late yesterday, when Mr..
Willkie and Chairman Clark clashed
sharply over last years campaign
speeches. Forced to sit silently at
the committee table for two weeks
by decision barring him from ex-
animation of witnesses. Mr.. Willkie
grabbed nearby microphone and ac-
cused Chairman Clark of misrepre-
senting his views. For several min
utes the heavy-set. outspoken Re-
publican standard bearer gripped
the little microphone on the table
and engaged the chairman in
rapid fire of shouted retorts, to the
delight of the crowded committee
room.
1t all started when Harry NJ
Warner, president of Warner Bros.
ended a day of defense of his COM
pany's war pictures with an appeal
for united support of the President
and his policies.
Mr.. Warner turned to Mr.. Willkie
at the counsel table to tell him that
he had done his best to defeat the
Republican nominee last year and
to re-elect Mr.. Roosevelt. Mr.. War
ner added that he has not known
much about Mr.. Willkie before the
hearings, except what he had read
We'll, you will when you get
his bill" Senator Clark of Idaho
broke in.
Retorts Through MicrOph0ne.
Discarding his role as silent OBJ
server, Mr.. Wnlkie reached for the
nearby microphone, in the big sound
equipped hearing room, and re-
torted:
Il see this committee is going to
pass on lawyers fees now. 1t might
as we'll do that-it has gone into
everything else"
Senator Clark said he had intend
ed to point out to Mr.. Warner that
both presidential candidates had
promised last year to keep this coun-
try out of war, but was little en-
barrassed in doing so with one Of
the candidates present.
You go right ahead, as long as
you give me the opportunity, too"
! Mr.. Willkie shot back
Senator Clark started to repeat
his assertion of what both candi-
dates had said.
Suppose you check them" Mr.
Willkie interrupted.
II have, and I recall your desig-
1