INVESTIGATION OF UN-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1947 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES, Washington, D. C. The committee met at 10 a. m., Hon. J. Parnell Thomas (chairman) presiding. All members present. Staff members present: Robert E. Stripling, chief investigator; Louis J. Russell, investigator. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. Mr. Stripling, do you have all of your witnesses here? Mr. STRIPLING. Mr. Chairman, there are two witnesses who did not respond Mr. Samuel Liptzin and Mr. Leon Josephson. Both have sent telegrams to the committee. I think that the telegrams should be read into the record and that the committee should take some action concerning the matter for the reason that these two are very necessary witnesses. The CHAIRMAN. I will read the telegrams to the committee. One is from Mr. Leon Josephson. He says [reading]: Unable to appear before your committee February 6 due inadequate notice of less than 48 hours. Counsel advises me such short notice unreasonable and that I am entitled to reasonable notice. Willing appear at later date fixed by you if reasonable notice given me. LEON JOSEPHSON. The other telegram is from Samuel Liptzin, and it reads: Critical illness of one very dear to me requires my presence at bedside. Am therefore unable to appear on February 6. Will attend any other day you set after this week. Please notify me. SAMUEL LIPTZIN. Now, gentlemen, this hearing has to do with a conspiracy and these two witnesses are key witnesses in the conspiracy. What is your pleasure as to these telegrams? Mr. Stripling, what do you suggest? Mr. STRIPLING. Mr. Chairman, I think the facts should be investigated, in the case of Mr. Liptzin, to determine if that is a reasonable excuse for not being here. However, in the case of Mr. Josephson, I consider that 2 days is sufficient notice to come from New York to Washington. In the case of Mr. Liptzin, I think it should be determined whether or not he is at the bedside of a very dear friend. The CHAIRMAN. Supposing you do that, and then make arrangements for us to hear them at a later date, and as soon as possible. Mr. STRIPLING. All right, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Now, Mr. Stripling, call your first witness. 1 Mr. STRIPLING. Mr. Gerhart Eisler, take the stand. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you have counsel with you? Mr. EISLER. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. I suggest that the witness be permitted counsel. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Eisler, will you raise your right hand? Mr. EISLER. No. Before I take the oath Mr. STRIPLING. Mr. Chairman Mr. EISLER. I have the floor now. Mr. STRIPLING. I think, Mr. Chairman, you should make your preliminary remarks at this time, before Mr. Eisler makes any statement. The CHAIRMAN. Sit down, Mr. Eisler. Mr. Eisler, you are here before the Committee on Un-American Activities in response to a subpena served on you January 25, 1947, which summoned you to appear before this committee this morning. This committee's authority which is derived from Public Law 601, is authorized to investigate [reading]: (1) The extent, character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States; (2) The diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propaganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution; and (3) All other questions in relation thereto * * * The committee considers the Communist Party of the United States to be a subversive organization, and the testimony or activities of any individual connected with the Communist Party of the United States is considered to be the purview of this committee's authority. There has been considerable testimony before the Special Committee on Un-American Activities, and this committee, its successor, which link you with the activities of the Communist Party. The questions which will be asked you this morning will be aimed at determining the facts, and it is therefore requested that your answers be responsive and direct. It is not the policy of this committee to permit witnesses to make a statement. After you have completed your testimony, if you desire to make a statement, the committee will permit you to put it in the record at the conclusion of your testimony. Now, Mr. Eisler, you will be sworn in. Raise your right hand. Mr. EISLER. No. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Eisler, in the first place, you want to remember that you are a guest of this Nation. Mr. EISLER. I am not treated as a guest. The CHAIRMAN. This committee Mr. EISLER. I am a political prisoner in the United States. The CHAIRMAN. Just a minute. Will you please be sworn in? Mr. EISLER. You will not swear me in before you hear a few remarks. The CHAIRMAN. No; there will be no remarks. Mr. EISLER. Then there will be no hearing with me. The CHAIRMAN. You refuse to be sworn in? Do you refuse to be sworn in, Mr. Eisler? Mr. EISLER. I am ready to answer all questions, to tell my side. The CHAIRMAN. That is not the question. Do you refuse to be sworn in? |