Evening star., 1947-10-22

poenaed oy the committee, was de-
scribed by Actor Adolph Menjou
yesterday as the man he had heard
is the leader of the Communist
movement in the movie industry.
Mr.. McGuinness also said he and
Col. Laurence Stallings, author of
What Price Glory?", had been ap-
preached to serve as publicity chair
man of the Hollywood Anti-Nazi
League, but had refused when the
group would not issue statement
of principles, declaring it was op-
posed to communism.
Mr.. Lawson and Mr.. Stewart,
he told the committee, were forced
to resign from the executive board
of the Screen Writers Guild, after
their names appeared on a telegram
of protest directed to President
Roosevelt by the League of Ameri-
can Writers. The President, he
said, had condemned a strike at
North American Aircraft as Com
munist-inSpired.'
Tells of Companies Efforts.
Mr.. McGuinness said he felt
there is "a growing awareness in
the motion picture industry of the
growing menace of Communism.
He mentioned several companies
as making an effort to weed out
Communists among their employees.
Then he was asked about his own
firm.
"I don't think It's the whitest
condition In the industry" Mr..
McGuinness replied. Il think we
have our share of Communists in
Our employ.
Representative Nixon, Republican,
of California, asked what Mr.. Nc
Guinness thought of a statement
by Author Rupert Hughes yesterday
to the effect the industry was afraid
to produce anticommunism films for
fear of vandalism in theaters.
Il would hate to think that the
industry as a whole, If confronted
by that threat, would not have the
courage to resist it," Mr.. McGuin-
ness replied.
Opposes Blacklist Plan.
Mr.. McGuinness said he opposed
any intra industry combination to
blacklist workers considered Com
munists, saying:
Il would regret that any man was
deprived of his means of livelihood
for his political opinions, no matter
how abhorrent those opinions might
be-"
He said it was necessary, however,
to recognize in our midst an active
Fifth Column-a group OF Quizlings
who are attempting to destroy our
form of government in the interest
of a foreign ideology."
Later, he said he agreed Gin
principle" with suggestion of Rep
resentative Wood. Democrat, of
Georgia. that Congress should, by
legislation provide authority for an
industry to deny employment to the
subversive.
Hearing Elects Lawyer.
The investigation OF the film cap
ital produced these developments
yesterday:
1. A lawyer representing 10 pros
pective witnesses was elected from
the hearing by Capitol police, and
one of his associates nearly was re-
moved after they had interrupted
the proceeding
2. John Charles Mofntt, screen
writer and critic, charged Broadway
with being practically dominated
by Communists and asserted a
theatrical agency executive had
coaxed test pilot into writing con-
fidential material about a super
sonic" plane.
Probers Invited to See Film.
3. Adrian Scott and Edward
'Dmytryk, producer and director,
respectively. of the. film 'Crossf1re, /"
both of whom are under subpoena
to testify, sent a telegram to Chair
man Thomas, inviting the entire
group to review the picture at a
special showing.
4. Senator Taylor, Democrat, of
Idaho sent telegram to a group of
10 prospective witnesses, congratu-
lating them on their "determina-
ton to fight for what we in America
have until recently considered in
alienable rights-freedom of speech
and thought" and branding the in
vestigation part of an attempt to
subvert and control every medium
for the dissemination OF news and
informa ton"
The lawyer elected was Charles
J. Katz of Los Angeles, who said he
represents the Screen Story An
alysts' Guild.
He also is one of six attorneys
representing the group of 10 under
subpoena which has been objecting
to the investigation.
Demands Right to Cross Examine.
Mr.. Katz rose from his seat and
advanced toward the dais as Mr..
Moffitt was testifying concerning
what he said was policy of many
story analysts to damn ANY stories
not favorable to the Communists.
Addressing Chairman Thomas,
Mr.. Katz said
II represent number of writer's
who have been subpoenaed here. I
demand the right to cross
examine"
You're out of order" rejoined
Mr.. Thomas. He pounded his
gavel vigorously as reporters,
photographers and police rushed
toward the lawyer. I
Mr.. Katz tried to continue his
statement. but policemen grabbed
him and ushered him from the
caucus room to- a nearby elevator.
He WAS taken To the rrn11nd door