Evening star., 1947-10-19

session with the testimony and evi
dence against them"
In announcing a list Of prospec.
tive witnesses, however, Mr.. Thoma.
emphasized that the fact they ar.
being called to testify before the
committee should not be consid.
cred reflection on their character
or patriotism.
These persons are being brought
with the sole objective of obtain.
ing the facts regarding the inroad.
the Communists have made in Hol.
lywood," Mr.. Thomas said. Some
Of the witnesses are friendly tt
the committees purposes. Other.
are undoubtedly hostile. The com.
mittee wants to hear both sides
Forty-three names were included
on the list of those on whom sub.
poenas were being served, but II
was learned that some additiona
writer's and directors have been sub
poenaed and some of those on the
original list have not heard from
the committee.
Johnston Welcomes Probe.
Mr.. Thomas said he wants to "set-
tie once and for all the question OF
Communist infiltration into the mo-
ton picture industry"
On that score, Eric Johnston
president of the Motion Picture AS
sociation of America, has notified
the committee that his association
welcomes the inquiry as a chance to
meet squarely any charges which
have been leveled against it and to
bring out into the open and expose
ugly rumors, innuendoes and reck-
less accusations. Mr.. Johnston
already has denied fatty that the
motion picture industry has in
jected subversive, American
propaganda into its movies.
Mr.. Thomas said he expects to
name the movies.
Mission to Moscow" and "Song
of Russia" both figured in testimony
taken on the West Coast. While on
the coast, Mr.. Thomas said Lowell
Mellett, former administrative as
sistant to President Roosevelt, was
responsible on orders from his SUI
periors for the appearance of Rob-
ert Taylor in Song of Russia" "
Mr.. Mellett, now a Star colunfnist,
denied the charge at the time and
issued a statement last night de-
claring that he had not asked Mr..
Taylor to appear in the picture or
suggested in any way that he
should.
Adrian Scott Summoned.
There also were indications that
the committee is interested in an
other movie-"Crossfire." The pic
lures producer, Adrian Scott, and
director, Edward Dmytryk, have
been subpoenaed to appear on the
same day. The list of prospective
witnesses also includes Dore Schary,
who Is In charge of production at
RKO, the studio which produced
the picture.
In addition to the movie makers,
a battery of legal talent will be on
hand at the hearings. Paul " Nc
Mutt, former Ambassador to the
Philippines, will represent the Mo-
tion Picture Association. Nineteen
of the prospective witnesses have
hired half dozen lawyers to repre-
sent them, including Robert w.
Kenny, former Attorney General of
California and Henry Wallace pro-
ponent; BARLEY Crum, author of
Behind the Silken Curtain" and
Martin Pepper of Washington. Also
representing the 10 are Ben Mar
golis and Charles J. Katz of Los
Angeles and Sam Rosenwein of New
York.
Mr.. Margolis said he and his COL
leagues certainly are going to up
hold the Constitutional rights of
these people and not permit any in
vasion of these rights"
Most of the clients of the LAWYERS
arrived last night at National ALL
port. They made no statements.
When questioned about the nature
of their testimony, the principal fig
ures said they would have nothing
to say until they conferred with
their lawyers.
Press Conference Today.
The latter had announced earlier
they would hold a press conference
at 4 pm. today in the National
Press Club.
Larry Parks, star Of "Ihe Jol-
son Story" was the only member of
the Hollywood party to attract at
tention at the airport terminal. He
complied with several requests for
One fan proffered a
leaky pen and followed it with a
handkerchief on which the actor
wiped his hands.
Asked for comment on the hear
ing, he said he didn't even know
where he was going and was lust
following the crowd"
The group established headquar-
ters at the Shoreham Hotel, but
several in the party took up resi-
dence in other, hotels.
Open Meeting Scheduled.
Mr.. Parks, Ring Lardner, jr.; Mr..
Dmytryk and Mr.. Scott were ex-
pected to have more to say tomorrow
night.
They are scheduled to be joined
oy Producer Director Lewis Mile
stone in speaking at an open meet
ing at 8 o'clock in the National Press
NJ n WY