Evening star., 1950-06-09
Writers
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ernment and then to blithely an
swer it for the press would be even
more contemptuous than we care
to be-"
Eight More Must Appear.
The two screen writer's are
among 10 Hollywood figures cited
for contempt action before the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities in 1947. New dates for
appearance of the other eight
were set June 6 and all are to
appear later this month.
The remaining eight had agreed
to be bound by rulings on the law
and certain technicalities made on
appeals taken by Lawson and
Trumbo
The eight facing court action
yet this month on the contempt
charges are: Albert Maltz, Alvah
Bessie and Samuel Ornitz, to ap-
pear June 20; Herbert j. Biber-
man and Edward Dmytrk, to ap-
pear June 81; Adrian Scott, Ring
Lardner, jr., and Lester Cole, to
appear June %.
War Preparation Charged.
There was no air of gloom at
the lawson -Trumbo press con-
ference. The two did not act as
men headed for a years impris-
onment. Lawson read a prepared
statement charging that "a Gov
ernment that imprisons writer's
for their opinions forfeits the right
TO call itself a democracy"
The statement also charged
they are being imprisoned "as a
part of the plan of big business
and it's political henchmen in
Washington to start a third war
They said lit is of grave con-
cern to all Americans that the
Government itself is guilty o.
Wholesale violations of the Bill o.
Rights" adding:
"It is of equally grave concerr
that the Government is preparing
for an aggressive and destructiv,
war which will bring untold mis-
cry to the peoples of the world"
Critical of Convicting Jury.
Lawson's wife, his son Jeffrey
23, and his wife, two attorney
and a press representative of th'
National Council of the Arts, Sci
ences and Professions, attended
the press conference.
Both men asserted the contemp
action has virtually broken then
financially. They were highl!
critical Of the jury which con
victed them, charging that it wa
made up largely of Government
employees who knew if their yer
dict was in our favor there woult
surely be reprisals.
THE verdict means" said Law
son, that Congress can investi
gate anything. They can call il
a composer and ask him what tina
bar of music means and why h
wrote it that way"
Both said radio and televisioi
are suffering because of the de
cision against them. "The who'll
field is influenced" Trumbo de
clared. "They are affected by tn
fear of saying anything tina
might affect official opinion"
Lawson Has New Book Out.
Lawson announced publication
of a new book, due in Octobe
from the Citadel Press in Ne,
York-"The Hidden Heritage"
is, he explained, a story of tn
background of America. its his
tory and culture.
AS Lawson and Trumbo lei
New York for Washington, the
marched to the train with NOR
than 1000 demonstrators. TIL
group was made up largely of tn
National Council of the Art
Sciences and Professions, but tn
throng was joined by persons jus
leaving a unite for peace" rail-
sponsored by the left-wing Peae
Information Center.
Paul Robson, Negro SINCE
Joined the procession.
Appealing in court for the re
duction of sentence and proba
ton, one of the. defense attorney
cited numerous letters from PEI
sonages over the world written
behalf of Lawson and Trumbo.
One of them was signed b
Juliot Curie, noted French Com