Evening star., 1947-10-28
I More Screen
WrhersEjected
By Red Inquiry
MoItz Ousted After
Trumbo Is Accused
Of Contempt
BULLETIN
BULLETIN

BULLETIN
Albert Maltz, who wrote the
screen, versions of Pride of
the Marines" and Destination
Tokyo" this afternoon became
the third hostile" witness or
dered from the stand by the
House Committee on Un-
American Activities for avoid
ing questions dealing with
membership in the Screen
Writers Guild and whether or
not he was a member of the
Communist Party.
Screen Writer Dalton Trumbo,
second so-called hostile wit
ness" to take the stand in the
film industry communism hear
ing of the House Committee on
American Activities, today
joined the first, John Howard
Lawson, another writer. in fac
ing contempt citation after be-
ing ordered from the witness
chair.
Mr.. Trumbos stormy 20 minutes
as witness this morning ended
when ne shouted, This is the be-
ginning of an American concentra-
ton camp" after he had evaded
answering question as to member
ship in the Communist Party.
Later, after a record of the
writer's alleged Communist afflia-
tions had been read and a photo
stat of a party card purportedly is
sued to him had been introduced,
Chairman Thomas announced a
contempt citation would be recon-
mended unanimously to the full
committee by the subcommittee
hearing evidence of Communist in
filtration of HOLLYWOOD
Thomas Pounds Gavel.
Mr.. Thomas made a similar an
nouncement yesterday after Mr.
Lawson had been ordered off the
stand when he baked at answering
the same question. The latter left
the chair to the accompaniment of
mixed applause and boos Today
there was applause and few cheers
for Mr.. Trumbo's exit, prompting
Mr.. Thomas to pound his gavel
and remind the spectators they
were present as guests of the COM
mittee.
After the brush with Mr.. Trumbo.
Roy M. Brewer, international repre-
sentative of the International AL
lance of Theatrical Stage Employees
and Moving Picture Machine .Oper-
ators. took the witness stand and
also asked to read a statement.
The committee at first refused to
hear it. saying that the evidence
would come out through question
ing. Before the witness left the
stand, however, Representative Vail,
Republican, of Illinois said he con-
sidered the statement relevant
comprehensive, informative and of
value to the intent and purpose of
the committee" and the witness was
allowed to read it.
Mr.. Brewer charged in his state
ment and testimony that there was
real Communist plot to capture
our union in Hollywood as part OF
the Communist plan to control the
motion picture industry as whole.
Unanimous Agreement
The three committee members
conducting the acknowledgements
tives Thomas, Vail and Mellow.
ell. Republicans. of PENNSYLVANIA
reached agreement to seek contemp
action against Mr. Trumbo without
the formality of retiring to a private
conference room.
They put their heads together il
the conference room. then Mr.
Thomas announced there was unan.
imous agreement on the contemp
action. He said:
The evidence clearly indicates
that he is a member of the Com
munist party. He followed tht
usual Communist party line in no
responding
Therefore, it is the unanimous
decision of this subcommittee tt
recommend to the full committee
that Dalton Trumbo be cited fol
contempt of Congress for his refusal
to answer the question, Are you, OF
have you ever been, aImember of the
Communist Party?' and other ques-
tions put to him. and that appro-
pirate action be taken by the full
committee without delay
This is an action which has to &c
to House officials. but could eventu-
ally lead to prosecution in the
courts. Federal statutes provide a
fine of 500 to $1,000 and impriscn-
ment from 80 days to one year for
contempt of Congress.
Won't Answer "Yes" or NO"
The other questions" Mr.. Thomas
referred to included one as to
Mr.. Trumbos membership in the
Screen Writers Guild In his bit.
ter exchanges with the chairman
while on the stand. the writer in
1See UN-AMERICAN, Page AS