Evening star., 1947-10-27

told reporters GlaC Mr. Lawson naQ
acted on advice Of counsel because
his constitutional rights were being
invaded"
MIR. Crum said he personally
neither knew nor cared whether
Mr.. Lawson was . Communist
Party member.
Mr.. Lawson himself presented q
wide grin to photographers ~ he
told the reporters who clustered
around him ut the sessions end that
nothing Is more sacred to me than
my sacred allegiance TO this eoun-
try"
Asked specifically II the party
card that went into the record was
his. he replied with a grin:
I'll leave that to the American
people"
Refuses to Answer Questions.
He refused to answer questions of
reporters as to his membership in
the party, but he said he'd be glad
to tear down the lies and forgeries
they (the committee) have pre-
sented here"
He refused to say whether the
forgery he charged included the
party card.
He gave reporters copies Of the
statement he was not permitted to
read.
In it he said:
Rational people don't argue with
dirt. I feel like a man who has
had truckloads of filth heaped upon
him; I am now asked to struggle
to my feet and talk while more
truckloads pour more Nth around
my head"
mo, you don't argue with dirt.
But you. try to find out where it
comes from. And to stop the evil
deluge before it buries you-and
others. The immediate source is
obvious. Let these people live with
their consciences, with the knowl-
edge that they have violated their
country's most sacred principles.
Assails Committee.
"These individuals are not inn
portant. AS an individual, am
not important. The obvious fact
that the committee Is trying to
destroy me personally and profess
sionally, to deprive me Of my liveli-
hood and what is far dearer to me
my honor as an American-gains
significance only because 1t opens
the way to similar destruction OF any
citizen whom the committee selects
for humiliation.
Il am not going to touch on the
gross violation Of the Constitution
of the United States, and specially
of its first and fifth amendments,
that is taking place here. The proof
is SO overwhelming that it needs no
elaboration. The Un-American Ac-
tiyities Committee stands convicted
in the court of public opinion. ."
Before Mr.. Lawson took the stand,
Robert Kenny, attorney for the 10
hostile witnesses, approached the
committee to argue on his motion
to quash their subpoenas on the
ground the proceedings were un-
constitutional and Mr.. Crum, also
an attorney, requested permission
to present a motion that none Of
last weeks witnesses be recalled.
Both motions were denied.
Calls Executive Session.
Mr.. Thomas then called the COM
mittee into executive session to con-
slider the additional arguments.
After Is minutes the committee re-
turned and Mr. Thomas announced
the motion was denied.
I'VE cannot set aside the law to
suit the convenience of certain wit
nesses," Mr.. Thomas said and
ordered the hearing to resume.
Stars Among Spectators.
A group OF film personalities,
headed by Humphrey Bogart and
Lauren Becall, was seated among the
spectators at today's sessions.
Eric Johnston, president Of the
Motion Picture Association OF Amer
lea, is scheduled to appear this
afternoon.
The film stars among the specta-
tors comprised group which ar
rived by plane last night as repre-
sentatives of the Committee for the
First Amendment.
About 100 spectators gathered
outside the building as they ar
rived and began posing for photog-
raphers. A spokesman, Director
John Huston, son of Actor Walter
Huston, issued a statement declar-
ing the groups intention to ask
six questions of Representative
Nixon, Republican, Of California, a
member of the House committee.
Nixon Absent.
| Mr.. Nixon, who represents Los
Angeles County, comprising most
of the Aim colony, was not sitting
with the committee when the hear
ing session began and was not in
his Office.
The question included one asking
whether Mr.. Nixon felt he should
seek to protect people OF his District
from allegedly "undocumentai
charges" made by hearing witnesses
and whether he had told reporter
the investigation was intended to
give Hollywood dose of preventive
medicine"
Capitol police escorted the group
into the hearing room where 1t was
greeted by round of applause.
Seats were available IN the rear of
the room and they took these.
/, The group of protesting stars VINO
have not been called rs witnesses
INCLUDED Humphrey Bogart, Lauren
Bacall, Evelyn Keyes. Gene Kelly
r Paul Henreid, Geraldine Brooks
y Danny Kaye, Richard Conte, Stirling
!, Hayden, Marsha Hunt, June Havoc